Retaining Wall Calculator
Blocks by course, base gravel, drainage stone, pipe and cost estimate.
Retaining wall takeoff results
189 blocks over 6 courses, estimated materials $1,422. Estimate only.
Enter your ZIP to re-price materials, or keep national averages.
Shopping list
| Item | Qty | Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 6" block (12" × 6") | 189 | $5/block | $885 |
| Cap blocks | 32 | $6/cap | $191 |
| 3/4" crushed gravel base | 1.22 | $48/cu yd | $59 |
| Clean drainage stone | 3.67 | $52/cu yd | $191 |
| Filter fabric (3' × 100') | 1 | $42/roll | $42 |
| 4" perforated drain pipe (10 ft) | 4 | $12/section | $46 |
| Block adhesive | 1 | $9/tube | $9 |
| Includes 5% waste allowance ($54) | $1,422 | ||
Build summary
- Exposed courses
- 5
- Total height w/ base
- 3.00 ft
- Caps
- 32
- Drain pipe
- 4 × 10 ft
- Filter fabric
- 1 roll
- Adhesive
- 1 tube
- Material weight
- 12,155 lb
- Waste allowance
- $54
Block weight matters for delivery: most pickup trucks carry about 1,500–2,000 lb. Plan a pallet delivery above that.
Pouring a footing or pad next to the wall?
The concrete slab calculator prices bags, yards and rebar.
Open concrete calculatorPlan it in 5 steps
- 1Measure length and exposed height
Height is measured from the top of the buried base course, not from finished grade.
- 2Check the engineering threshold
Above a locally set height, most jurisdictions require an engineered design and a permit. Confirm before you plan.
- 3Plan drainage first
Stone, fabric and an outlet at daylight are not optional extras on a retaining wall.
- 4Budget the base
A deep, compacted, level base course is the most important row you will lay.
- 5Account for the buried course
The first course is below grade, so total block count is always higher than exposed height suggests.
Planning guidance only. Every quantity and price is an estimate — confirm dimensions and local requirements before you buy or build.
Retaining wall estimating for landscapers
Landscape contractors run this takeoff to count blocks by course, size the gravel and drainage stone order in yards, check the engineering threshold, and hand the client a branded proposal the same visit.
- Takeoff priced to your ZIP in minutes
- Cut list that trims the lumber order
- Branded proposal and invoice PDFs
Material and cost output is an estimate, never a quote. Permit content is guidance to verify with your local building department.
Frequently asked questions
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