Retaining Wall Calculator

How to Calculate Retaining Wall Requirements

To estimate the blocks and cost for a retaining wall, follow these steps:

1. Wall Dimensions: Measure the length and height of the wall.
2. Block Dimensions: Determine the size of the retaining wall blocks (length and height).
3. Cost Per Block: Include the price of a single block to estimate the total expense.

Formula

Total Blocks Needed = (Wall Length ÷ Block Length) × (Wall Height ÷ Block Height)
Total Cost = Total Blocks Needed × Cost per Block

This calculation ensures accurate results tailored to your project specifications.

Example Calculation

Imagine you are building a retaining wall for a backyard garden:

• Wall Length: 20 ft
• Wall Height: 5 ft
• Block Length: 12 in (1 ft)
• Block Height: 6 in (0.5 ft)
• Cost per Block: $3

1. Convert dimensions into a consistent unit (e.g., inches).
   • Wall Length: 240 in
   • Wall Height: 60 in
2. Calculate blocks per row: 240 ÷ 12 = 20 blocks.
3. Calculate number of rows: 60 ÷ 6 = 10 rows.
4. Total blocks: 20 × 10 = 200 blocks.
5. Total cost: 200 × $3 = $600.

You will need 200 blocks, costing $600.