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Calcimator

Retaining Wall Block Calculator

Calculate the number of retaining wall blocks, cap units, backfill, and geogrid for a segmental retaining wall.

Inputs

ft
ft
in
in
in

Results

Total Blocks

360 blocks

Blocks Per Row30 blocks
Total Courses12 rows
Cap Units30 caps
Backfill Gravel10.67 cu yd
Geogrid Area0 sq ft
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the wall length and finished height in feet.
  2. Set the block height and length in inches from the manufacturer spec sheet.
  3. Input the required setback (batter) per course.
  4. Review the block count per course, total courses, and estimated base depth.
  5. Walls over 4 feet in height typically require an engineered design and permit.

How the result changes with Wall Height

Wall HeightTotal Blocks
2.9270 blocks
7.65690 blocks
131,170 blocks
181,620 blocks

What each input means

Wall Length
Total length of the retaining wall.
Wall Height
Exposed height of the wall (walls over 4 ft typically require engineering).
Block Height
Height of each retaining wall block.
Block Length
Face length of each retaining wall block.
Setback per Course
How far each course steps back from the one below (batter).
Geogrid Required
1 = Include geogrid reinforcement, 0 = No geogrid needed.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Wall Length = 30, Wall Height = 4, Block Height = 4, Block Length = 12 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total Blocks
    Total Blocks
    360 = 360
  3. Calculate Blocks Per Row
    Blocks Per Row
    30 = 30
  4. Calculate Total Courses
    Total Courses
    12 = 12

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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