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Retaining Wall Calculator — Blocks, Base, Drainage, Pipe & Cost

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Wall length (ft) Exposed wall height (ft) Block face length (in) Use the visible face length of the selected wall block.Block face height (in) Use the installed course height.Block waste / cuts (%) Include cap blocks? Base gravel width (in) Replace with the project/manufacturer detail.Base gravel depth (in) Drain rock width behind wall (in) Drain rock height (ft) Geometric planning height; verify the actual drainage detail.Aggregate density (tons/yd³) Editable ordering assumption; use a supplier/material value.Drain pipe allowance (%) Adds routing/cut allowance to wall length; this is not drainage design.Price per wall block (optional) Price per cap block (optional) Base gravel price per yd³ (optional) Drain rock price per yd³ (optional)

Calculated result

95 wall blocks

6 exposed courses × 15 blocks/course before waste

15 cap blocks for one top course

Base gravel: 0.741 yd³ · 1.037 tons

Drain rock: 2.222 yd³ · 3.111 tons

Total aggregate: 2.963 yd³ · 4.148 tons

Drain pipe allowance: 22 ft

Optional material subtotal: 0

Show the working

1. Courses = ceil(36 in ÷ 6 in) = 6.
2. Blocks/course = ceil(240 in ÷ 16 in) = 15.
3. Raw blocks = 6 × 15 = 90; apply 5% waste and round up = 95.
4. Base = 20 ft × 2 ft × 0.5 ft ÷ 27 = 0.741 yd³; × 1.4 tons/yd³ = 1.037 tons.
5. Drain rock = 20 ft × 1 ft × 3 ft ÷ 27 = 2.222 yd³; × 1.4 tons/yd³ = 3.111 tons.
6. Drain pipe = 20 ft × (1 + 10%) = 22 ft.

Material-planning estimate only. Density and pipe allowance are editable ordering assumptions. This does not design retaining-wall stability, reinforcement, drainage, foundations or code compliance; verify product and project requirements.

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