A 3 ft chain link fence uses 3 tension bands on each end or gate post.
How chain link is counted
Fabric rolls = length ÷ 50 ft. Top rail = length ÷ stick length. Terminal posts: 1 per end or corner, 2 per gate. Line posts no more than 10 ft apart. Tension bands per end post: 3 for up to 4 ft, 4 for 5 ft, 5 for 6 ft.
Example: 150 ft of 3 ft chain link with 1 gate needs 3 rolls of fabric, 14 top rails, 4 terminal posts and 13 line posts.
Chain link materials at a glance
Worked out with the same settings as the calculator above, changing only the length.
| Length | Fabric rolls | Top rails | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| 100 ft | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| 150 ft | 3 | 14 | 17 |
| 200 ft | 4 | 19 | 22 |
| 300 ft | 6 | 29 | 32 |
Chain link parts per fence
| Part | How many |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 50 ft rolls |
| Top rail | Same length as the fabric |
| Terminal posts | 1 per end or corner, 2 per gate |
| Line posts | No more than 10 ft apart |
| Tension bands | 3 per end post up to 4 ft, 4 for 5 ft, 5 for 6 ft |
| Loop caps | 1 per line post |
| Fence ties | About every 24 in on the rail and 12 in on posts |
From Home Depot's chain link planning guide.
Common questions
How long is a roll of chain link?
Residential chain link fabric is sold in 50 ft rolls in heights of 3 to 6 ft.
How far apart are chain link posts?
Line posts should be no more than 10 ft apart, according to Home Depot's planning guide.
How many tension bands do I need?
Three per end post for fences up to 4 ft, four for 5 ft and five for 6 ft. Corner posts need two sets because fabric is stretched from both directions.
Sources
- Home Depot, Chain link fence planning and purchasing guide: https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/eb/eb410056-2919-4538-b863-3bb02c539842.pdf