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Chain Link Fence Calculator
Calculate mesh rolls, straining wire, strainer posts and intermediate posts for chain link fencing. Standard UK sizes and specifications.
Total run of chain link fencing
Each corner needs a strainer post
Usually 2 (start and finish); 0 for a closed loop where corners are the terminals
Per mesh roll (matches Roll Length below)
Standard: 25m domestic rolls
Typically 2.7-3m
2 rows below 1.2m (top & bottom); 3 at 1.2m and above (add a middle wire). Increase manually if your spec calls for an extra wire
2.5mm galvanised line wire is sold in ~270m coils. Some mesh rolls include line wire — check before ordering
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How We Calculate This
This calculator works out the mesh rolls, straining wire, posts and fittings needed for a chain link fence installation. It accounts for strainer posts at ends and corners, plus intermediate support posts at regular intervals.
The formula
Mesh rolls = Fence length ÷ Roll length (rounded up)
Strainer posts = Number of ends + Number of corners
Intermediate posts = (Fence length ÷ Spacing) - 1
Straining wire = Fence length × Number of rows
For a 50m straight run at 1.2m high (2 ends, no corners, 3m spacing, 3 rows of straining wire): 2 rolls of 25m mesh, 2 strainer posts, 16 intermediate posts (50 ÷ 3 = 17 bays, so 17 − 1 = 16 posts between the strainers), and 150m of straining wire. For a closed perimeter, set ends to 0 and add one strainer post per corner — the corner posts then act as the terminal straining points.
Installation tips
- Always install strainer posts first and allow concrete to cure
- Tension straining wire from one strainer post to the next
- Unroll mesh along the fence line and tie to straining wire
- Use ring-top ties or hog rings at 300mm intervals along each wire
Frequently Asked Questions
For fences below 1.2m (e.g. 0.9m), use 2 rows of straining wire — top and bottom. At 1.2m and above, use 3 rows, adding a middle wire. UK supplier guidance (Mesh Direct, diydata) confirms 2 line wires up to 0.9m and 3 from 1.2m to 2.25m — so even a 2m fence uses 3 rows. The straining wire provides the tension framework that the chain link mesh is tied to — it runs between strainer posts and is tensioned with adjustable tensioners. Note that some chain link mesh rolls are supplied with line wire included, so check before ordering separately.
Strainer posts (also called straining posts) are the heavy-duty posts at ends, corners and gates. They take the full tension of the straining wire and are typically 100mm diameter or 80×80mm angle iron. Intermediate posts are lighter (38-50mm diameter) and simply support the mesh between strainers. They are spaced at 2.7-3m intervals.
Standard chain link mesh rolls in the UK come in 25m lengths for domestic use. Trade/commercial rolls are available in 12.5m and 25m lengths. The mesh is typically galvanised for corrosion resistance, with PVC-coated options (green or black) available for a neater appearance at extra cost.
BS 1722-1:2019 sets the setting depths by fence height: for fences up to and including 1.4m, both straining (strainer) and intermediate posts are set 0.6m (600mm) in the ground; for fences over 1.4m — including 1.5m, 1.8m and 2m — they go 0.75m (750mm) deep. So a 1.2m fence needs 600mm but a 1.8m fence needs 750mm, not 600mm. Concrete should surround the post (at least 75mm all round for fences up to 1.4m, larger holes above that) and be finished about 50mm above ground with a weathered top so water runs off. Allow the concrete to cure before tensioning the wire.
Yes, chain link is widely used for security. For security applications, use 3.55mm gauge mesh at 2m+ height with 3-strand barbed wire on angled arms. For high-security, weld mesh panels (358 mesh) may be more appropriate. Chain link offers good visibility which can deter intruders and allow CCTV coverage.
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Last updated: March 2026
Verified against UK standards · estimates only, confirm with your supplier.