Chain Link Fence Post Spacing: How Far Apart Do You Put Posts?
Establishing your fence line sounds straightforward; simply using stakes and strings, you can outline the perimeter and measure for fencing. Measuring the perimeter of your property is not the only planning chain link fencing, or any fencing, requires. DIY installation of chain link fencing requires consideration of the materials, application, and topography. While understanding how far apart you put chain link fence posts is crucial for proper installation typically every 4 to 10 feet. You'll want to consider several other factors to ensure a stable and functional fence.
How Far Apart Are Chain Link Fence Posts?
One of the most common questions we hear is, "how far apart should posts be on a chain link fence?" The general rule is that chain link fence posts should never be placed further than 10 feet apart.
How far to space posts for chain link fence installations depends on several factors, including the weight of the chain link mesh fabric, the terrain and landscape, and whether you plan to add privacy slats or windscreens.
For example, if you want to insert privacy slats, you may want to put chain link fence posts every 6 to 8 feet to accommodate the number of slats in each section. Understanding how far apart should chain link posts be for your specific application will help ensure proper installation.
Factors That Determine How Far Apart Posts Should Be for Chain Link Fence
How far should chain link fence posts be apart? The spacing of your chain link fence posts directly affects security and stability, but a significant factor is the thickness and strength of the materials you choose. With less thick metal fence posts, you can and should place your fence posts closer together to support the weight of the fabric mesh and prevent slack. With thicker and stronger chain link fence posts, you can space posts for chain link fence less frequently, as they have the strength to support the fabric mesh better.
The strength of materials required is very situational, as you will not want to spend money on heavy-duty industrial fencing for a residential property. Though, you know your neighbors better than we do, so it's up to you.
Chain Link Fence Post Spacing Chart
Now that you know how far apart the posts are on a chain link fence, view our chain link fence post spacing guides below to determine the materials needed to create a stable and functional chain link fence on your property.
Line Post Spacing Chart - 8' Centers
This chart shows how far apart to put chain link fence posts when using 8-foot center spacing:
| Length | Line Posts | Spacing | Length | Line Posts | Spacing | Length | Line Posts | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16' | 1 | 8' | 78' | 9 | 7' 10" | 140' | 17 | 7' 9" |
| 17' | 2 | 5' 8" | 79' | 9 | 7' 11" | 141' | 17 | 7' 10" |
| 18' | 2 | 6' | 80' | 9 | 8' | 142' | 17 | 7' 11" |
| 19' | 2 | 6' 4" | 81' | 10 | 7' 4" | 143' | 17 | 8' |
| 20' | 2 | 6' 8" | 82' | 10 | 7' 5" | 144' | 17 | 8' |
| 25' | 3 | 6' 3" | 90' | 11 | 7' 6" | 150' | 18 | 7' 11" |
| 30' | 3 | 7' | 96' | 11 | 8' | 160' | 19 | 8' |
| 35' | 4 | 7' | 100' | 12 | 7' 8" | 170' | 21 | 7' 9" |
| 40' | 4 | 8' | 104' | 12 | 8' | 180' | 22 | 7' 10" |
| 50' | 5 | 8' | 112' | 13 | 8' | 190' | 23 | 7' 11" |
| 60' | 7 | 7' | 120' | 14 | 8' | 200' | 24 | 8' |
| 70' | 8 | 7' 2" | 128' | 15 | 8' | 250' | 30 | 8' |
| 77' | 9 | 7' 9" | 136' | 16 | 8' | 290' | 36 | 7' 11" |
Line Post Spacing Chart - 10' Centers
This chart demonstrates how far apart should chain link fence posts be when using 10-foot center spacing:
| Length | Line Posts | Spacing | Length | Line Posts | Spacing | Length | Line Posts | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' | 1 | 10' | 90' | 8 | 10' | 160' | 15 | 10' |
| 21' | 2 | 7' | 91' | 9 | 9' 1" | 170' | 16 | 9' 11" |
| 22' | 2 | 7' 4" | 92' | 9 | 9' 2" | 180' | 17 | 9' 10" |
| 25' | 2 | 8' 4" | 95' | 9 | 9' 6" | 190' | 18 | 9' 11" |
| 30' | 2 | 10' | 100' | 9 | 10' | 200' | 19 | 10' |
| 40' | 3 | 10' | 110' | 10 | 10' | 220' | 21 | 10' |
| 50' | 4 | 10' | 120' | 11 | 10' | 240' | 23 | 10' |
| 60' | 5 | 10' | 130' | 12 | 10' | 260' | 25 | 10' |
| 70' | 6 | 9' 11" | 140' | 13 | 10' | 280' | 27 | 10' |
| 80' | 7 | 10' | 150' | 14 | 10' | 300' | 29 | 10' |
Key Takeaway: These spacing charts help you determine exactly how far apart do you put posts for chain link fence installation based on your total fence length. For optimal stability, posts are typically spaced between 7' and 10' apart, with adjustments made based on the total length of your fence line.
Typical Hole Width & Depth
Understanding proper post hole dimensions is essential when determining how far apart should posts be for chain link fence installation:
| Type of Post | Post Height | Hole Diameter | Hole Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line Post | 3' - 4' | 6" | 24" |
| Line Post | 5' | 8" | 30" |
| Line Post | 6' - 12' | 9" | 36" |
| Terminal Post | 3' - 5' | 10" | 30" |
| Terminal Post | 6' - 12' | 12" | 36" |
Once you have determined how many fence posts you need and how far apart are fence posts chain link for your specific installation, please feel free to shop our collection of chain link fence tubing and fittings.
Download Chain Link Fence Spacing Guide PDF Shop Chain Link Fence MaterialsIf you would like more information about chain link fencing, please visit our Resources Hub for informational and instructional content or reach out to our sales representatives. They are happy to help in any way they can!
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