50 ft of 4 ft chain link takes 1 roll of fabric, 5 top rails, 2 terminal and 4 line posts, and 8 bags of concrete.
End, corner and gate posts are all 2-3/8 in terminal posts.
| Post | Size | Hole | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| End & corner × 2 | 2-3/8 in OD, 6' 4"+ | 8 × 30 in | 2 |
| Line × 4 | 1-5/8 in OD, 5' 6"+ | 6 × 24 in | 1 |
Terminal posts stand 2 in above the fabric and line posts 2 in below it (Merchants Metals), each on 4 in of gravel with concrete stopping 3 in below grade. Set terminals first, then string a line between them for the line posts.
| Fitting | Qty | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Tension bars | 2 | 1 per end & gate post, 2 per corner |
| Tension bands | 6 | 3 on each tension bar |
| Brace bands | 2 | hold the rail end cups |
| Rail end cups | 2 | 1 per tension bar |
| Carriage bolts 5/16 × 1-1/4 | 8 | 1 per band |
| Dome caps | 2 | terminal posts |
| Loop caps | 4 | line posts (top rail runs through) |
| Fabric ties | 41 | every 12 in on line posts, 24 in on rail |
| Tension wire / hog rings | 50 ft / 25 | along the bottom |
2 bags per terminal post in an 8 in hole and 1 per line post in a 6 in hole, counted hole by hole. Water: about 8 gal; weight 400 lb. Quikrete says to keep strain off the posts for 4 hours, so let the concrete cure before you stretch the fabric.
Framework prices seen at independent hardware stores on Oct 23, 2026 (big-box is often lower). Fabric is an estimate — enter your store's roll price. Not in the total: fittings, ties, tension wire and gates.
Installed chain link runs about $10–$25 per foot (Modernize, Aug 2026) — roughly $500–$1,250 for 50', plus $90–$250 per walk gate. Compare with wood and vinyl →
| Height | Rolls | Tension bands | Ties | Line post | Terminal post | Concrete bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | 1 | 6 | 37 | 4' 6" | 5' 4" | 8 |
| 42 in | 1 | 6 | 39 | 5' | 5' 10" | 8 |
| 4 ft | 1 | 6 | 41 | 5' 6" | 6' 4" | 8 |
| 5 ft | 1 | 8 | 45 | 6' 6" | 7' 4" | 8 |
| 6 ft | 1 | 10 | 49 | 7' 6" | 8' 4" | 8 |
Line posts: 50 ft ÷ 10 ft maximum = 5 → 5 equal spans of 10', which needs 4 line posts between the 2 terminals. Merchants Metals' "total ÷ 10, round up" shortcut counts the terminal positions too and overbuys.
Post length: terminal posts stand 2 in above the 48-in fabric and go 26 in into the ground (a 30-in hole with 4 in of gravel): 50 + 26 = 76 in. Line posts stand 2 in below the fabric top and go 20 in deep: 66 in.
Ties: one per 12 in of line post (4 × 4 = 16) plus one per 24 in of top rail (50 ÷ 2 = 25).
The full method, material data and tips are on the main chain link fence calculator page.