Building a retaining wall is an excellent way to prevent erosion, create usable space, or add aesthetic appeal to your landscape. But before you start your project, it’s essential to know how many retaining wall blocks you'll need. This guide will walk you through the steps of calculating the number of blocks required and provide a simple calculator for quick estimation.

Steps to Calculate Retaining Wall Blocks

To accurately calculate how many retaining wall blocks you'll need, follow these steps:

1. Measure the Length of the Wall

First, determine the length of the wall you want to build. Measure the length in feet. If your wall will be curved, measure the total distance along the curve.

2. Determine the Height of the Wall

Next, decide how tall you want your retaining wall to be. Measure the height from the base to the top of the wall in feet. Keep in mind that some part of the wall may be buried below ground for stability.

3. Find the Block Dimensions

Find the dimensions of the retaining wall blocks you plan to use. You’ll need the length, height, and depth of each block. Typically, these dimensions are provided by the manufacturer. For most standard retaining wall blocks, the height is between 6 to 8 inches (0.5 to 0.66 feet), and the length is about 12 inches (1 foot).

4. Calculate the Number of Blocks per Row

To determine how many blocks are required for each row, divide the total length of the wall by the length of one block. The formula is:

Blocks per row = Total wall length (in feet) ÷ Block length (in feet)

5. Calculate the Number of Rows

To find out how many rows you’ll need, divide the total height of the wall by the height of one block. The formula is:

Number of rows = Total wall height (in feet) ÷ Block height (in feet)

6. Calculate the Total Number of Blocks

Finally, multiply the number of blocks per row by the number of rows to get the total number of retaining wall blocks you’ll need:

Total blocks = Blocks per row × Number of rows

Simple Retaining Wall Block Calculator

Use the following simple calculator to estimate the number of blocks you need for your retaining wall project:













By following the steps above, you can easily calculate how many retaining wall blocks you'll need for your project. Remember to round up the number of blocks to ensure you have enough, accounting for possible mistakes or irregularities in the terrain. With proper planning, your retaining wall project will go smoothly, and you’ll have a sturdy structure to enhance your landscape.