Quick answer: Use a 3-foot fence with 12 inches buried and 1-inch welded wire to stop 95% of rabbits.
Last reviewed: July 2026
This page gives you four ready-to-use rabbit fence specs, plus links to the interactive Wildlife Fence Calculator at /wildlife-fence-calculator/.
How to use these sheets
- Pick the configuration that matches your rabbit pressure.
- Download the matching sheet.
- Use the calculator if you need custom dimensions and cost estimates.
Available Spec Sheets
Standard 3-Foot Fence
Recommended — $2.50-$4.00/ft
3 ft above + 12 in buried, 1-inch welded wire
Download Spec SheetHeavy-Duty 4-Foot Fence
High Pressure — $4.50-$7.00/ft
4 ft above + 18 in buried, 14-gauge wire
Download Spec SheetBudget 2-Foot Fence
Budget — $0.80-$1.50/ft
2 ft above + 6 in buried, poultry netting
Download Spec SheetRaised Bed Kit Spec
Raised Beds — $3.00-$5.00/ft
2 ft above bed + 6 in buried, 0.5-in hardware cloth
Download Spec SheetIndependent resource — not a government site.
Rabbit Fence Spec Sheets
Download detailed specification sheets for each fence configuration. Each sheet includes material lists, installation diagrams, and cost estimates.
Standard 3-Foot Fence
Recommended- Height: 3 ft above ground + 12 in buried
- Mesh: 1-inch hexagonal or welded wire
- Posts: T-posts or wood, 8 ft spacing
- Best for: Most residential gardens
- Est. Cost: $2.50–$4.00/linear ft
Heavy-Duty 4-Foot Fence
High Pressure- Height: 4 ft above ground + 18 in buried
- Mesh: 1-inch welded wire, 14-gauge
- Posts: Steel T-posts, 6 ft spacing
- Best for: High rabbit pressure, deer combo
- Est. Cost: $4.50–$7.00/linear ft
Budget 2-Foot Fence
Budget- Height: 2 ft above ground + 6 in buried
- Mesh: 1-inch chicken wire / poultry netting
- Posts: Bamboo or metal stakes, 6 ft spacing
- Best for: Low pressure, temporary beds
- Est. Cost: $0.80–$1.50/linear ft
Raised Bed Kit Spec
Raised Beds- Height: 2 ft above bed + 6 in buried
- Mesh: 0.5-inch hardware cloth
- Frame: Attaches to bed frame
- Best for: Raised beds, container gardens
- Est. Cost: $3.00–$5.00/linear ft
Rabbit Fence FAQ
What height fence stops rabbits completely?
A 3-foot fence with 12 inches buried stops 95% of rabbits. For 100% exclusion, use 4 feet above ground with 18 inches buried and an outward-facing apron. Jackrabbits can clear 3 feet; cottontails rarely exceed 2 feet.
Does chicken wire stop rabbits?
Standard 1-inch chicken wire stops adult cottontails but not babies. For complete exclusion, use 0.5-inch hardware cloth or 1-inch welded wire (14-gauge minimum). Chicken wire degrades in 2–3 years; welded wire lasts 10+ years.
How deep must rabbit fence be buried?
Minimum 6 inches for low pressure; 12 inches recommended for most gardens; 18 inches with a 6-inch outward apron for high pressure. Rabbits rarely dig deeper than 12 inches unless highly motivated.
Can rabbits climb fences?
Cottontails cannot climb. Jackrabbits can climb slightly angled wire but not vertical smooth surfaces. A 3-foot vertical welded-wire fence with no footholds stops both. Avoid chain-link or large-mesh fences they can climb.
What's the cheapest rabbit fence that actually works?
1-inch poultry netting (chicken wire) at 2 feet high with 6-inch burial costs ~$0.80/ft. Lasts 2–3 seasons. For a permanent solution, 14-gauge 1-inch welded wire at 3 feet with 12-inch burial costs ~$2.50/ft and lasts 10+ years.
Get the Free Rabbit-Proofing Checklist (PDF)
12-point checklist covering fence specs, repellents, habitat modification, and legal considerations. Instant download — no email required.
Download Free Checklist (PDF)Independent resource — not a government site. No spam, ever.