Retaining Wall Block Calculator

Work out how many blocks you need to build a retaining wall of a given length and height.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Instant results

Loading calculator…

How it works

Divide the wall face area by the face area of one block:

Blocks = (Wall length × height in inches) ÷ (Block length × height in inches)

Example

A 10 ft long, 3 ft high wall using 12 in × 8 in blocks needs 45 blocks — add ~10% for breakage.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a base course or caps?
Yes — this estimates the wall face only. Add a buried base course, cap blocks and gravel backfill/base separately.