Published by T. Crow Digital. Updated October 26, 2026. Every figure links to the page it came from. How we research.
Most chain link fences cost $13 to $27 a linear foot installed, by Fixr's chain link guide. Its typical job, 200 feet of 4 foot galvanized chain link with one gate, comes to about $3,000.
What a whole chain link fence costs
| Length | Materials only | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| 100 feet | $300 to $700 | $1,300 to $2,700 |
| 200 feet | $600 to $1,400 | $2,600 to $5,400 |
| 300 feet | $900 to $2,100 | $3,900 to $8,100 |
| 400 feet | $1,200 to $2,800 | $5,200 to $10,800 |
From Fixr's chain link guide.
Want a price for your own yard? Send a quote request or run your length through the cost calculator first.
Why you'll see different numbers
Cost guides quote chain link three ways, and that is why the ranges don't match:
- $13 to $27 a foot is Fixr's typical installed chain link: galvanized, about 4 feet tall.
- $10 to $20 a foot is what HomeAdvisor says the average homeowner pays.
- $12.25 to $40 a foot is Fixr's full range, which takes in tall, heavy gauge and vinyl coated fences. Our calculator uses this wider range, so treat its top end as the price of a premium fence.
Height, wire thickness (gauge) and coating explain the gap. A plain 4 foot galvanized fence sits at the bottom; a 6 foot black vinyl coated fence in heavy wire sits at the top.
By height
| Height | Installed per foot (Fixr) | Per foot (HomeAdvisor) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 feet | $12.25 to $23 | Not given |
| 3 1/2 feet | $12.75 to $23.25 | Not given |
| 4 feet | $13.15 to $23.50 | $8 to $20 |
| 5 feet | $13.80 to $24.10 | Not given |
| 6 feet | $15.25 to $25.40 | $10 to $29 |
| 8 feet | $16.25 to $26.55 | $12 to $34 |
| 10 feet | $17.85 to $28.25 | Not given |
Fixr's height figures are for 9 gauge galvanized fence. The two guides measure differently, so compare down a column, not across.
Gauge: how thick the wire is
A lower gauge number means thicker, stronger wire. Fixr's installed prices for a 6 foot fence:
| Gauge | Installed per foot (Fixr) |
|---|---|
| 11 1/2 gauge (lightest common residential) | $11.50 to $26.50 |
| 9 gauge | $12.75 to $30.50 |
| 6 gauge (heaviest) | $16.50 to $35.75 |
Galvanized, vinyl coated or black
| Finish | Installed per foot (Fixr, 4 foot fence) |
|---|---|
| Galvanized (plain silver) | $13.15 to $28.50 |
| Aluminum coated | $15.75 to $32 |
| Vinyl coated | $18.75 to $40.50 |
Fixr puts black chain link at $18.75 to $32.50 a foot installed, green at $19 to $32.50 and white at $20 to $38.50. Coating costs more but lasts longer: Fixr says a galvanized fence may last 10 to 15 years, while a vinyl coated or black one may last more than 25. It also notes vinyl coated fences can come with warranties of up to 15 years, against up to 10 without the coating.
Slats, gates and the old fence
- Privacy slats: Fixr says slats add about $2 to $3 a linear foot to install, plus the slats themselves; a box that covers 10 feet of 6 foot fence runs about $55.
- Gates: a single swing gate runs $90 to $250 installed and a double swing gate $180 to $500, by Fixr.
- Taking out an old fence: Fixr's chain link guide puts removal at $3 to $5 a linear foot.
- Labor: Fixr says labor alone averages $10 to $20 a linear foot.
How long it lasts
Fixr says chain link lasts 15 to 25 years or more. HomeAdvisor says a well kept chain link fence typically lasts 15 to 20 years. When the mesh is damaged but the posts are sound, Fixr puts new mesh at $7 to $12 a linear foot, and a chain link repair at $300 to $600.
City rules that change a chain link fence
Chain link is open, so many cities treat it more kindly than a solid fence, and a few restrict it. Examples from our city pages, each with its source there:
- Madison: in front and street side setbacks, chain link has to be vinyl coated; plain chain link is fine in interior side and rear yards.
- Minneapolis: vinyl coated chain link counts as an open, decorative fence, and chain link with slats is banned.
- Raleigh: no chain link in any front or side street setback outside IH districts.
- Austin: chain link is generally treated as ornamental, so the height limits for solid fences do not apply to it.
- Colorado Springs: chain link without inserts or slats is restricted on some property types.
- Milwaukee: a side yard fence can be 6 feet if it is all chain link or similar open work, against 4 feet for a solid one.
If the coated kind is what your city wants in front, Fixr puts vinyl coated at $18.75 to $40.50 a foot installed against $13.15 to $28.50 for galvanized, so the coating adds about $5.60 a foot at the low end and $12 at the high end.
Chain link around a pool
For a pool, the Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines call for chain link mesh no larger than 1 1/4 inch square unless slats reduce the openings. See pool fence rules before you order.
Chain link against wood and vinyl
| Material | Installed per foot (Fixr main guide) |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $12.25 to $40 |
| Wood | $15 to $35 |
| Vinyl | $15 to $40 |
Chain link keeps the view open and needs the least upkeep. More in wood vs vinyl vs chain link vs aluminum.
Sources: Fixr chain link fence costs (January 2025); Fixr fence installation costs (January 2025); HomeAdvisor chain link fence cost guide (June 2026); Fixr fence repair costs (August 2025); US CPSC Publication 362: Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools (PDF).
Common questions
How much does 100 feet of chain link fence cost?
Fixr puts 100 feet of installed chain link at $1,300 to $2,700, or $300 to $700 for the materials alone.
How much is a 6 foot chain link fence per foot?
Fixr gives $15.25 to $25.40 a linear foot installed for 6 foot, 9 gauge galvanized chain link. HomeAdvisor gives $10 to $29.
Is chain link the cheapest fence?
It is one of the cheapest. In Fixr's main fence guide, only split rail starts lower per foot.
What gauge chain link should I get?
A lower gauge number means thicker wire. Fixr prices 11 1/2 gauge as the lightest common choice and 6 gauge as the heaviest; 9 gauge sits in between and is what Fixr uses for its typical job.
How much do privacy slats add?
Fixr says about $2 to $3 a linear foot to install, plus the slats, about $55 a box for 10 feet of 6 foot fence.
How long does a chain link fence last?
Fixr says 15 to 25 years or more; galvanized 10 to 15 years and vinyl coated or black more than 25. HomeAdvisor says 15 to 20 years.
Rules and quotes in your city
Each city page lists that city's own height and permit rules, with links to the code, and takes quote requests.