How much wire to fence a plot in Kenya: rolls, extras and real costs
To work out how much wire you need to fence a plot, measure the perimeter, convert it to metres and divide by the roll length, then round up. A 50 ft × 100 ft plot has a 300 ft perimeter, which is 91.44 m, so it takes 4 rolls of 30 m chicken wire, 4 rolls of 25 m mesh or 10 rolls of 10 m razor wire. At AHIHQ Traders in Nairobi, in October 2026, four 6 ft × 30 m rolls of 1" Knicker chicken wire cost KSh 8,700.
Rolls needed at a glance
| Wire | Roll length | Rolls for a 50 × 100 ft plot (91.44 m) | Rolls for a 100 × 100 ft plot (121.92 m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knicker chicken wire mesh | 30 m | 4 | 5 |
| Knicker welded wire mesh, 1 cm | 25 m | 4 | 5 |
| Knicker razor wire | 10 m | 10 | 13 |
The counts are for one run of mesh, or one line of razor wire, all the way round. The steps below show how to adjust them for your own plot.
How much wire to fence a plot? Start with the perimeter
Add up the length of every side. For a rectangle, that is twice the length plus twice the width. A 50 ft × 100 ft plot is 50 + 100 + 50 + 100 = 300 ft. A 100 ft × 100 ft plot is 400 ft.
Wire rolls are sold in metres, so convert: 1 ft = 0.3048 m. That makes 300 ft = 300 × 0.3048 = 91.44 m, and 400 ft = 400 × 0.3048 = 121.92 m. If your plot is not a rectangle, walk each boundary with a long tape and add the sides. A fibre tape measure in 30 m, 50 m or 100 m does this in a few pulls.
How many rolls of chicken wire to fence a plot?
Divide the perimeter in metres by the roll length, then round up to the next whole roll.
- 50 × 100 ft plot, 30 m chicken wire rolls: 91.44 ÷ 30 = 3.05, so 4 rolls. Three rolls give 90 m and leave you 1.44 m short.
- 50 × 100 ft plot, 25 m mesh rolls: 91.44 ÷ 25 = 3.66, so 4 rolls.
- 100 × 100 ft plot, 30 m rolls: 121.92 ÷ 30 = 4.06, so 5 rolls.
- 100 × 100 ft plot, 25 m rolls: 121.92 ÷ 25 = 4.88, so 5 rolls.
Two things change the count. Leave out the width of any gate, because the mesh stops at the gate posts. Add a little for overlaps where one roll joins the next, and for wrapping the end round the corner posts. When the sum is close to a whole number, as with 3.05 rolls, buy the extra roll.
Height matters too. Chicken wire comes 3 ft or 6 ft wide. If you want a 6 ft fence and buy 3 ft rolls, you need twice as many, laced together along the middle. A 6 ft roll gives the height in one piece.
How much razor wire for a plot?
Knicker razor wire is sold in 10 m rolls. For one line along the top of a 300 ft (91.44 m) boundary, 91.44 ÷ 10 = 9.14, so 10 rolls. For 400 ft (121.92 m), 121.92 ÷ 10 = 12.19, so 13 rolls. If you plan two lines, double the count. Razor wire stretches out from a coil, so ask us on WhatsApp how far a roll runs on your wall or fence before you order.
What else do you buy with the mesh?
Galvanized wire. Mesh is hung on line wire strained between the posts, and tied on with lighter wire. Knicker galvanized wire comes in 25 kg rolls at KSh 6,525 for gauges 8 to 16, or KSh 7,250 for 22 gauge. A lower gauge number is a thicker wire, so use the heavier gauges for line wire and the lighter ones for tying. How many metres a 25 kg roll gives depends on the gauge, so tell us your perimeter and number of strands and we will help you work out the rolls.
Tools. Knicker combination pliers cut and twist the wire; the 8" type is KSh 22,620 for a carton of 60, which works out at about KSh 377 a piece. For post holes, the Knicker spade S503Y is KSh 6,265 for a bag of 12 (about KSh 522 a piece) and the Knicker pickaxe is KSh 3,135 for a bag of 6 in 5 lb (about KSh 523 a piece). Wear work gloves when handling mesh and razor wire.
Posts. Timber or concrete posts are not part of this range, so source them separately.
What does it cost to fence a plot? Worked examples
All prices are AHIHQ Traders wholesale prices in Nairobi, October 2026, for a 50 ft × 100 ft plot (91.44 m perimeter).
| What you buy | Sum | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken wire, 1" × 6 ft × 30 m | 4 rolls × KSh 2,175 | KSh 8,700 |
| Chicken wire, 1-1/2" × 6 ft × 30 m | 4 rolls × KSh 2,105 | KSh 8,420 |
| Chicken wire, 1" × 3 ft × 30 m (low fence) | 4 rolls × KSh 990 | KSh 3,960 |
| Welded wire mesh, 1 cm × 3 ft × 25 m | 4 rolls × KSh 4,350 | KSh 17,400 |
| Razor wire, 45 cm × 10 m, one line | 10 rolls × KSh 1,740 | KSh 17,400 |
| Razor wire, PVC green coated × 10 m, one line | 10 rolls × KSh 2,395 | KSh 23,950 |
| Galvanized wire, gauge 8 to 16, 25 kg | 1 roll × KSh 6,525 | KSh 6,525 |
A typical order: four rolls of 1" × 6 ft chicken wire (KSh 8,700) plus one 25 kg roll of galvanized wire (KSh 6,525) comes to KSh 15,225. That is over KSh 15,000, so delivery is free. Add one line of 45 cm razor wire (KSh 17,400) and the order is KSh 32,625.
Which one should you buy?
- A boundary that keeps poultry in: 6 ft chicken wire in 1" or 1-1/2" mesh, plus galvanized wire.
- A low garden edge: 3 ft chicken wire, from KSh 990 a roll.
- A stiffer fence for small animals: welded wire mesh, 25 m rolls.
- Security on top of a wall or fence: razor wire, 10 m rolls, one roll per 10 m of boundary.
- Measuring the plot first: a fibre tape measure.
The mesh and wire are sold by the roll. The pliers, spades, pickaxes and tapes are sold by the carton or bag, so if you need just one or two, share a carton with other builders or buy for stock.
Where to buy
All the rolls are in the wire mesh and netting collection, and the tools are in the tools and hardware range. Our trade counter is at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi, open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30. We deliver countrywide for a flat KSh 350, and delivery is free on orders over KSh 15,000. You can pay by M-Pesa or card. Contractors and shops can ask for our trade lists at our trade page, or send a list on WhatsApp on +254 724 505 919 and we will price it for you.
Related guides
- Chicken wire price in Kenya (2026): every roll size and width
- Types of wire mesh: which wire for poultry, fencing, windows and security
- Tower bolt vs pad bolt: securing doors and gates in Kenya
Common questions
How many rolls of chicken wire for a 50 by 100 plot?
Four 30 m rolls. The perimeter is 300 ft, or 91.44 m, and 91.44 ÷ 30 = 3.05, which rounds up to 4.
How do I convert feet to metres?
Multiply by 0.3048. So 100 ft is 30.48 m and 300 ft is 91.44 m.
Do I subtract the gate?
Yes. Take the gate width off the perimeter before you divide, because the mesh stops at the gate posts.
How many rolls of razor wire per 100 ft?
100 ft is 30.48 m, so one line needs 4 rolls of 10 m (30.48 ÷ 10 = 3.05, rounded up).
Is delivery free on a fencing order?
Delivery is a flat KSh 350 countrywide, and free on orders over KSh 15,000.