If you’re staring at your yard and thinking, “How much does 200 ft of chain link fence cost?” you’re not alone. I get it.
You want to keep the dog in, the kids safe, or just mark your property line without emptying your wallet. Good news: chain link is cheap, tough, and easy to live with.
Right now in 2025, expect to pay $2,000 to $8,000 to get 200 feet up and running. That’s for everything, wire, posts, and the guys who dig the holes.
I remember when I put one up around my own backyard. Took a weekend and saved me a bundle. 200 feet? That’s perfect for most homes.
It wraps a good-sized yard, maybe a quarter acre. No more worrying about the neighbor’s cat coming over for dinner. Let’s break this down real simple, like we’re chatting over coffee.
I’ll show you every penny and how to spend less.
What Is a Chain Link Fence?
Picture this: back in the 1800s, a guy in England named Charles got tired of weak fences. He took cloth-weaving machines and made them spit out steel wire instead.
Boom chain link was born. By the 1900s, folks in America loved it for farms and yards. Today? Over 70% of home fences are chain link.
Why? It lasts 20 years easily, lets you see through it, and costs way less than wood.
For you, the homeowner, it means safety without the blindfold. Want to watch the kids play? No problem. Got pets? They stay put.
I talked to my buddy Mike, a fence guy with 15 years under his belt. He says, “Chain link’s my top pick for busy families. Sets up fast and never falls over.”
Here’s what you get in a basic fence:
- Woven wire that looks like diamonds
- Metal posts stuck in the ground
- A top bar to keep it straight
- Little clips to hold it all
Simple, right? Now, let’s talk money.
The Simple Math: Chain Link Fence Cost Per Foot
Okay, deep breath. Prices work like this: $10 to $40 for each foot, all in. For 200 feet? Multiply it out $2,000 on the low end, $8,000 on the high. Half is materials. Half is labor.
Let me draw you a picture:
| What You Get | Low Price (per foot) | High Price (per foot) | For 200 Feet |
| Just materials | $3 | $15 | $600-$3,000 |
| With workers | $10 | $40 | $2,000-$8,000 |
See? Easy math. Most folks land at $15-$25 per foot. That’s $3,000-$5,000 total. My neighbor paid $3,200 for his. Flat yard, no fuss.
What Makes the Price Go Up or Down?
Prices aren’t set in stone. Here’s what changes them. I list ’em simply so you can pick what fits your yard.
1. How Tall? Short Saves Cash
Short fence, less wire, and work. Tall more bucks but better privacy.
| Height | Cost Per Foot | Total for 200 Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3 ft (kids’ area) | $10 | $2,000 |
| 4 ft (pets) | $12 | $2,400 |
| 5 ft | $14 | $2,800 |
| 6 ft chain link fence cost (privacy) | $15 | $3,000 |
| 8 ft (big dogs) | $18 | $3,600 |
Check your town’s rules. Most say 6 feet max in back, 4 feet out front. I went 4 feet, perfect for my pup.
2. Thick or Thin Wire? Thicker Lasts Longer
Wire comes in “gauge.” Low number = thick and strong. Like this:
- Thin (11 gauge): $10/foot. Okay for calm yards.
- Standard (9 gauge): $12/foot. What I picked—tough for wind.
- Heavy (6 gauge): $15/foot. For storms or rowdy kids.
Fence height and gauge comparison: Mix 6 ft tall with 9 gauge? Add $400 to your bill. Worth it if you live where it rains a lot.
3. Plain Steel or Fancy Coat?
Galvanized steel fencing is silver and rust-proof. Basic and cheap.
But vinyl-coated chain link fence? Comes in green or black. Hides better, lasts 25 years.
| Type | Extra Cost Per Foot | Total for 200 Ft |
| Galvanized | $0 | $2,400 |
| Black vinyl | +$6 | $3,600 |
| Green vinyl | +$6 | $3,600 |
How much is 200 ft of black vinyl chain link fence? $3,600-$6,000. I added green to blend with my grass. Looks sharp!
4. Your Yard’s Shape and Spot
Cost factors (terrain, location, height, gauge)—yep, they matter.
- Flat yard? Normal price.
- Hill or rocks? Add $2-$5 per foot. (My cousin’s sloped lot cost 25% more.)
- A city like New York? $30/foot (high wages).
- Small town? $12/foot.
Call 811 free to check for buried wires. Skip that, and you pay for repairs!
5. Where You Live
Texas: $10/foot. California: $25/foot. Why? Truck gas and worker pay. Use a zip code tool online—takes 2 minutes.
Posts and Gates: Don’t Forget These!
The fence needs posts every 8 feet. Gates let you in.
Cost of fence posts and gates:
Posts:
- 25 posts for 200 ft: $7 each = $175
- Installed: +$10 each = $425 total
Gates:
- Walk gate (3 ft wide): $150
- Drive gate (10 ft): $400
Cost to install 200 linear feet of chain link fence with a gate? Add $150-$400. Total: $2,150-$8,400. I got a walk gate super handy for wheelbarrows.
Who Does the Work? You or Pros?
Labor vs. material cost for fencing: Materials 50%. Workers 50%.
Average labor cost to install 200 ft of chain link fencing: $1,000-$4,000. That’s $5-$20 per foot.
Hire pros? They dig, set posts in concrete, and stretch wire straight. Takes 2 days. I paid $2,200 for labor once worth every penny.
Do it yourself? Save $1,000+. But rent a digger ($50/day). Watch YouTube. My first try took 3 days and sore arms!
Chain link fence DIY vs professional installation cost:
| Way | Total for 200 Ft |
| DIY | $600-$1,500 |
| Pro | $2,000-$8,000 |
Cheapest way to install 200 ft of chain link fence: DIY galvanized, no gate. $800 total.
Just the Stuff: Chain Link Fence Material Cost
Buy this for 200 ft (4 ft high):
- Wire mesh: $500
- Posts: $200
- Rail + clips: $150
- Cement: $50
Total: $900. Shop Home Depot sales—saved me $100.
Chain link mesh and coating types:
- Big diamonds (2 inches): Cheap.
- Small (1 inch): +$300, stops tiny pets.
Home Yard Prices vs. Big Jobs
Residential chain link fence pricing: $12-$25/foot. For your house.
Commercial vs residential fencing: Businesses pay $20-$40. They want 8 ft tall with spikes.
For backyards, add privacy slats for chain link fences. Plastic strips: $2/foot = $400. Turns a see-through into a secret garden.
How much does it cost to fence a backyard with chain link? $2,000-$6,000 for 200 ft. Fits most homes.
Fencing Cost Calculator Chain Link
Don’t guess! Go online.
- Type in 200 feet.
- Pick 4 ft high.
- Enter zip code.
Boom your number. Try Fixr’s tool1. I used it to match my bill exactly.
Chain link fence estimate: Get 3 quotes from locals. Free!
How to estimate the cost for a chain link fence per linear foot:
- Measure the yard.
- Add height cost.
- Tack on 15% for oops.
Backyard Fencing Options: Chain Link Wins
Wood? Pretty but rots. $30/foot.
Vinyl? Nice, but $40/foot.
Chain link? $15/foot and forever. Property boundary fencing marks your land clearly.
DIY fence installation tips:
- Mark with a string.
- Dig 2 ft deep.
- Wet concrete sets fast.
Fence Maintenance and Durability
Hose it once a year. Done. Galvanized: 15 years. Vinyl: 25 years.
$50 patch kit.
How much does 200 ft of chain link fence cost

| Part | Amount | % of Total |
| Materials | $900 | 40% |
| Workers | $2,200 | 50% |
| Gate/Permit | $300 | 10% |
| Total | $3,400 | 100% |
How much does a 4 ft high 200 ft chain link fence cost? $2,400.
What is the total price for 200 ft of 6 ft tall chain link fence? $3,000.
How much to install 200 ft of galvanized chain link fence? $2,400.
Save Big: 7 Quick Tricks
- Buy in fall—sales!
- Skip fancy colors.
- One gate only.
- Fencing contractors near me—get 3 bids.
- Flat spot first.
- DIY posts.
- Bundle with mulch job.
Cut 20%! I saved $600 this way.
Don’t Mess Up: 5 Homeowner Traps
- Forgot permit? $500 fine.
- Wrong measure? Buy extra wire.
- No 811 call? Hit a pipe—$1,000 fix.
- Cheap gauge? Storm breaks.
- Solo lift? Hurt back.
I skipped #3 once. Never again!
Real Stories from Folks Like You
Sarah in Ohio: “200 ft, 4 ft high. $2,800 with gate. Dog loves it!”
Tom in Florida: “200 ft chain link fence cost for residential property—$4,500. Sloped yard, vinyl coat. Pros did it in a day.”
Averages match what Southland Fence says2.
FAQs
What is the average cost to install a chain link fence for 200 ft?
$2,000-$8,000.
Cost to install a chain link fence with labor?
$5-$20 per piede.
Fence installation estimate tools?
Try Cool Cat’s calculator3.
How much does it cost to fence a backyard with chain link?
$2,000-$6,000.
200 ft chain link fence with posts and fittings?
Add $400.
Conclusion
There you have it, friend. How much does 200 ft of chain link fence cost? $2,000-$8,000 all in. Pick 4 ft galvanized for $2,400. Add a gate and vinyl? $4,000. It’s cheap, lasts forever, and makes your yard yours.
I put mine up last spring. Best $3,000 I spent. Kids play safe, I sleep easy. Now go measure that yard!
What’s your yard like, flat or hilly? Tell me below, and I’ll help tweak your numbers!
References
- Fixr’s chain link fence cost guide – Breaks down prices super simply for homeowners like you. ↩︎
- Southland Fence on 200 ft costs – Real examples from family yards. ↩︎
- Cool Cat Fence per-foot pricing – Quick tips on saving for busy parents. ↩︎

