Barbed Wire Fence Materials Calculator
The classic cattle fence: barbed wire strands on line posts with braced corners. Enter your run, strands, and post spacing to get wire rolls, posts, and corner hardware.
Formula: wire = run × strands; rolls = ceil(wire ÷ roll length). Line posts = run ÷ spacing (T-posts typically 12-16 ft apart); corner/end posts + 2 H-brace assemblies per direction change (each brace $75-150 in 2026 materials, per FenceCalc). Use: this counts materials, not labor — add installation at roughly $1-$2/ft and verify against a real supplier quote before purchasing.
FAQ
How much barbed wire do I need?
Multiply your run length by the number of strands. For 1,320 ft at 4 strands that is 5,280 ft of wire, or 4 rolls at 1,320 ft per roll.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Line (T-) posts for barbed wire are typically 12-16 ft apart. Corner and end posts must be set closer and braced — each direction change needs an H-brace assembly.
How much does a barbed wire fence cost?
In 2026 examples, installed barbed wire is about $1.50-$3.50 per linear foot. Materials alone (wire, posts, braces) for 1,000 ft run roughly $690-$1,370, before labor and gates.
Figures are editable example defaults for planning, not guarantees. Fence material, labor, and installation costs vary by region, terrain, and year — verify with local suppliers, your NRCS office for EQIP cost-share, and a fencing contractor before committing to a project.