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Landscaping

Retaining Wall Calculator

Estimate blocks, base material and cost for a segmental retaining wall.

Your numbers

ft
ft
in
in
$
%

Result

Blocks needed 216
Courses high 5
Base gravel (cubic yards) 1.5
Block cost $1,382
A 40 ft × 3 ft wall is 5 courses and about 216 blocks, costing $1,382, plus roughly 1.5 cubic yards of base gravel.

Walls above about four feet, or any wall carrying a driveway, slope or structure above it, normally require engineered design and a permit. This estimates materials only. It is not a structural design.

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Questions

About this calculator

When does a retaining wall need engineering?

Most jurisdictions require an engineer and a permit above four feet, and often lower where there is a surcharge load above the wall such as a driveway or slope. Check locally before quoting.

Why does drainage matter so much?

Water pressure behind a wall is what pushes it over. Free-draining gravel behind the blocks and a perforated drain at the base does more for longevity than heavier blocks.

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