Cost to fence 400 feet
Short answer
A 400-ft wood privacy fence (6 ft tall) costs about $6,000–$16,000 installed and needs roughly 52 posts and 873 pickets.
Installed cost
$6,000–$16,000
Posts
52
Pickets
873
Concrete bags
104
Fencing 400 feet: cost & materials
Fencing 400 feet with a 6-ft wood privacy fence runs about $6,000–$16,000 installed. That covers roughly 52 posts set 8 feet apart (50 sections plus end and gate posts), 150 rails, and about 873 pickets. The "how many posts for a 400-foot fence" answer is simply your length divided by the post spacing, plus one — then add a post for every gate and corner.
Material is the biggest lever over the same 400 ft. Chain link is the budget pick at about $4,000–$10,000 for this run, while aluminum / steel can reach $22,000 installed. The table below prices every fence type for this exact length so you can compare a chain link, wood, vinyl, or aluminum fence side by side.
Roughly half of any quote is labor — digging and setting those 52 posts in about 104 bags of concrete is the slow part, not the boards. Terrain, gates, old-fence removal, and local permit fees move the total further, so get at least three local bids for a 400-ft fence.
What drives the cost
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fence length | 400 ft ÷ 8 ft spacing = 50 sections and ~52 posts — the base for every material |
| Material | Chain link is cheapest, aluminum priciest — see the table; this swings the total most |
| Fence height | 6-ft privacy adds a third rail and more pickets than a 4-ft fence |
| Gates & corners | Each gate and corner adds a post and hardware |
| Terrain & soil | Slopes, rock, and hard clay slow post-setting and add labor |
| Removal & permits | Old-fence tear-out and a permit are usually billed on top of the quote |
400-foot fence cost by material
| Material | Installed cost (400 ft) |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Wood picket | $4,800–$12,000 |
| Wood privacy | $6,000–$16,000 |
| Vinyl | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Aluminum / steel | $10,000–$22,000 |
Wood privacy (highlighted) is the reference build for the figures above; change material in the calculator for any option.
Fence planning tips
- Order about 10% extra pickets or panels for a 400-ft fence so cuts, waste, and future repairs are covered.
- Call 811 (call-before-you-dig) to mark utilities before setting any posts — it is free and often legally required.
- Set the corner and gate posts first, then run the 50 line posts between them for a straight 400-ft run.
- Enter your exact length, height, and material in the calculator for a precise post, picket, and concrete count.
Your exact fence
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fence 400 feet?
A 400-ft wood privacy fence costs about $6,000–$16,000 installed. Cheaper materials like chain link cost less; vinyl and aluminum cost more.
How many posts for a 400-foot fence?
About 52 posts at 8 ft spacing (50 sections plus end and gate posts). Closer spacing on windy or sloped sites adds posts.
How many bags of concrete for a 400-foot fence?
Around 104 bags — roughly 2 per post. Deeper holes for tall or windy fences use more.