Chain Link Fence Cost Per Foot in 2026
Chain link is the most affordable fence material on the market. It's fast to install, lasts 20+ years, and is the go-to for backyards, dog runs, sports fields, and commercial properties.
Quick Answer
A standard 4ft residential chain link fence costs $12-22 per linear foot installed. A 6ft chain link privacy fence with slats runs $18-32 per linear foot installed.
Residential Chain Link Costs
By Height
| Height | Materials/ft | Installed/ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | $5-8 | $10-16 |
| 4 ft (standard) | $6-10 | $12-22 |
| 5 ft | $8-12 | $15-25 |
| 6 ft (privacy) | $10-16 | $18-32 |
By Coating Type
- Galvanized (silver): Standard, cheapest. $6-10/ft materials.
- Vinyl-coated (black or green): Better looking, lasts longer. $8-14/ft materials. Adds $2-4/ft over galvanized.
By Gauge (Wire Thickness)
- 11.5 gauge: Standard residential. Most common.
- 9 gauge: Heavy duty. Commercial grade. Adds $1-3/ft.
- 6 gauge: Security/industrial. Adds $4-8/ft.
Commercial Chain Link Costs
Commercial chain link is thicker wire, taller, and often topped with barbed wire or razor ribbon.
| Type | Installed/ft |
|---|---|
| 6 ft commercial (9 gauge) | $22-35 |
| 8 ft commercial | $30-45 |
| 8 ft + barbed wire | $35-55 |
| 10 ft + razor ribbon | $45-70 |
Chain Link Gates
- Walk gate (3-4 ft wide): $150-300 installed
- Drive gate (10-12 ft wide): $400-800 installed
- Slide gate (20+ ft): $1,500-3,500 installed
- Cantilever gate (commercial): $3,000-8,000 installed
Privacy Options for Chain Link
Plain chain link doesn't provide privacy. Options:
- Privacy slats: $3-6/ft. Weave into mesh. 70-90% privacy.
- Privacy screen/mesh: $2-4/ft. Zip-tie to fence. Temporary.
- Hedge/vine planting: $0 if you're patient. 2-3 years to fill in.
- Chain link with privacy slats is significantly cheaper than wood or vinyl while still blocking the view.
Why Chain Link is Still King for Some Jobs
- Dog runs and kennels: Cheapest way to contain dogs. $800-1,500 for a 10x10 run.
- Pool enclosures: Meets code requirements at lowest cost.
- Property lines on a budget: 200 ft of 4ft chain link: ~$3,000 installed.
- Temporary construction fencing: Rent for $1-3/ft/month or buy cheap.
- Sports fields and backstops: Only practical option for large areas.
Chain Link vs Wood vs Vinyl (Cost Comparison)
For 150 linear feet of 6ft fencing:
- Chain link (galvanized): $2,700 - $4,200
- Chain link (vinyl-coated + slats): $3,600 - $5,400
- Wood (cedar privacy): $4,500 - $6,750
- Vinyl: $5,100 - $7,500
- Aluminum ornamental: $6,000 - $9,000
Chain link is 40-60% cheaper than wood for the same footage.
Quoting Chain Link Jobs
Chain link has its own material list: mesh rolls, tension bars, tension bands, rail ends, post caps, tie wire. Manual takeoffs are error-prone. FenceCalc calculates every chain link component automatically from linear footage.
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