Cost to fence 500 feet
Short answer
A 500-ft wood privacy fence (6 ft tall) costs about $7,500–$20,000 installed and needs roughly 65 posts and 1091 pickets.
Installed cost
$7,500–$20,000
Posts
65
Pickets
1,091
Concrete bags
130
Fencing 500 feet: cost & materials
Fencing 500 feet with a 6-ft wood privacy fence runs about $7,500–$20,000 installed. That covers roughly 65 posts set 8 feet apart (63 sections plus end and gate posts), 189 rails, and about 1091 pickets. The "how many posts for a 500-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 500 ft. Chain link is the budget pick at about $5,000–$12,500 for this run, while aluminum / steel can reach $27,500 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 65 posts in about 130 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 500-ft fence.
What drives the cost
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fence length | 500 ft ÷ 8 ft spacing = 63 sections and ~65 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 |
500-foot fence cost by material
| Material | Installed cost (500 ft) |
|---|---|
| Chain link | $5,000–$12,500 |
| Wood picket | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Wood privacy | $7,500–$20,000 |
| Vinyl | $10,000–$22,500 |
| Aluminum / steel | $12,500–$27,500 |
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 500-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 63 line posts between them for a straight 500-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 500 feet?
A 500-ft wood privacy fence costs about $7,500–$20,000 installed. Cheaper materials like chain link cost less; vinyl and aluminum cost more.
How many posts for a 500-foot fence?
About 65 posts at 8 ft spacing (63 sections plus end and gate posts). Closer spacing on windy or sloped sites adds posts.
How many bags of concrete for a 500-foot fence?
Around 130 bags — roughly 2 per post. Deeper holes for tall or windy fences use more.