Fence Cost Calculator
Enter your fence length, cost per foot, and gates to estimate the total installed cost.
What your result means
Total is the fence plus the gates. The per-foot figure should be installed cost; rough ranges are $20 to $45 a foot for wood, $25 to $60 for vinyl, and $10 to $25 for chain link. Gates cost far more per foot than panels, so they get their own line. Add about 10% for hardware and posts.
How to use this calculator
- Measure total fence perimeter in feet.
- Get installed cost per linear ft ($20-45 wood, $25-60 vinyl, $10-25 chain link).
- Count gates and gate cost ($150-500 each).
- Read fence, gate, and total cost.
The formula
Fence cost is the length times the cost per foot. Add the gates (count times cost each) for the total.
Worked example
Say you've got 100 ft of wood fence at $30 a foot plus one $250 gate. That's $3,000 of fence and $250 for the gate, so $3,250 total.
Fence cost by material (installed)
| Material | Installed per ft |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $10 – $25 |
| Wood | $20 – $45 |
| Vinyl | $25 – $60 |
| Single gate | $150 – $500 |
Tips & gotchas
- Wood is the cheapest material but needs staining every 2 to 3 years.
- Vinyl costs more upfront but skips the maintenance.
- Chain link is cheapest overall but the least private.
- Gates cost 5 to 10 times more per foot than panels.
- Add 10% for hardware and posts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost?
Wood is $20 to $45 a foot installed, vinyl $25 to $60, chain link $10 to $25.
What's the cheapest fence material?
Chain link, at $10 to $25 a foot installed.
How much does a gate add?
$150 to $500 for a single gate, $400 to $1,000-plus for a double or wide gate.
Should I install a fence myself?
You can save $10 to $15 a foot in labor, but setting the posts is the hard part.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Usually for fences over 6 ft and for front-yard fences. Check local code.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.