Retaining Wall Calculator

How much material do I need for a retaining wall?

ft
in
in
in

Order this much wall block

152wall blocks

Includes 5% extra. Walls over about 4 ft usually need an engineer and a permit.

6 rows × 24 blocks across
Rows of block6
Blocks per row24
Cap blocks24
Gravel base, 2 ft wide × 6 in1 cu yd
Drainage gravel behind wall2 cu yd

Get block, cap and gravel in one list. Use it for planning, and speak to an engineer before building a tall or loaded wall.

How it works

Rows come from height ÷ block height. Blocks per row come from length ÷ block length. Gravel covers a base trench and drainage behind the wall.

Before you order

  • Bury the first row so the wall is anchored.
  • Include drainage. Trapped water is a leading reason walls fail.
  • Check local permit rules, often triggered around 3 to 4 feet.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?

It depends on where you live and the wall height. Ask your local building department.

How much gravel goes behind a retaining wall?

A common plan is a zone about 12 inches wide behind the wall.