A chain link fence costs $10 to $40 per linear foot installed in 2026
A chain link fence costs $10 to $40 per linear foot installed in 2026. A 150 foot backyard fence runs $1,500 to $6,000. A 4 foot galvanized fence is the cheapest at $10 to $20 a foot. A 6 foot fence, the most common backyard height, is $13 to $30 a foot. Black vinyl coated chain link is $15 to $45. Labor is about half the price, $5 to $20 a foot. Real quotes from more than 1,400 installs averaged about $44 a foot in high cost metro areas. HomeGuide lists chain link fence at $10 to $40 per linear foot installed, or $1,500 to $6,000 for 150 feet.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists chain link fence at $10 to $40 per linear foot installed, or $1,500 to $6,000 for 150 feet. |
| Angi | Angi lists black chain link fence at $15 to $45 per linear foot installed, with labor at $10 to $20 a foot. |
| Ergeon | Ergeon lists real installed prices at $32 to $71 per linear foot, with a typical price of $44 a foot. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Height | Every extra foot of height adds $1.50 to $3 a foot in material plus more labor. 8 foot security fence is $17 to $40. |
| Coating | Plain galvanized is cheapest. Black or green vinyl coated adds $3 to $10 a foot. |
| Gauge | Thicker 9 or 11 gauge wire costs more than thin 11.5 or 12 gauge but lasts far longer. |
| Gates | A walk gate is $100 to $450. A double drive gate is $300 to $1,200. |
| Slats and removal | Privacy slats add $5 to $15 a foot. Removing an old fence adds $2 to $8 a foot. Rocky soil adds $2 to $4. |
What the price includes
An installed quote covers posts set in concrete, top rail, mesh fabric, tension wire, fittings and labor. Gates, slats, old fence removal and a permit are usually separate line items. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Chain link is one of the easier fences to build yourself, but it is still a lot of work. You must set posts in concrete, keep them in a straight line, and stretch the mesh tight. Mistakes show up fast as sagging wire or leaning posts. Digging post holes by hand is slow, and rented augers can be hard to use in rocky soil. A pro has the tools and can finish in a day or two. DIY can save on labor, which is a large part of the price. Check your local rules and call before you dig to find buried lines.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the price per linear foot and the total for your fence length.
- Ask for the height, wire gauge, and coating to be written in the quote.
- Ask if gates, privacy slats, and old fence removal are separate lines.
- A fair quote is close to the same as two other quotes for the same fence.
- Compare the total with the range above: $10 to $40 per linear foot installed for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get three quotes and ask each for the same height, gauge and coating. Quotes for the same job can differ by half.
- Stay with galvanized unless the fence is at the front of the house. Color coating is a look, not a strength upgrade.
- Do the old fence tear out yourself. It is unskilled work that saves $2 to $8 a foot.
- Check if your county needs a permit. Many do not for fences under 6 feet.
Why this costs more in 2026
Chain link is galvanized steel, and steel wire and pipe prices rose through 2025 and 2026. Posts are set in concrete, and cement and delivery costs track diesel, which hit record prices after the oil shock that began in February 2026. Fence crews also pay more for fuel to run augers and trucks, and skilled labor stays short in most markets.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Angi and Ergeon. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a chain link fence cost per foot?
It is about $10 to $40 per linear foot installed. A 4 foot fence is $10 to $20 and a 6 foot fence is $13 to $30.
How much for a 150 foot fence?
HomeGuide lists $1,500 to $6,000 for 150 feet. Gates and extras cost more.
Why do some quotes cost more?
Ergeon found real installed prices of $32 to $71 a foot in many areas. Labor, local rules, and the soil can raise the price.
Is there a cheaper option?
A plain galvanized fence costs less than a vinyl coated one. A shorter height also costs less.