Chain link fencing is priced and ordered in three separate pieces: the fabric itself (the mesh, sold by the roll), the posts that hold it up, and the tension wire that runs along the top and bottom to keep the fabric taut between posts. This calculator handles all three from just the fence length, post spacing, and the roll length your supplier sells.

Line posts are calculated by dividing the fence length by the post spacing and adding one for the starting post, then two terminal posts (one at each end of a straight run) are added on top of that — corners and gates need additional terminal posts beyond what this estimate covers. Tension wire runs both along the top and the bottom of the fabric, so total tension wire footage is double the fence length.