RightQty

Hardscape & masonry

Retaining wall calculator

Calculate retaining wall blocks by full course and estimate a separate top-cap course from installed unit dimensions.

Wall layout

Calculate retaining wall blocks and caps

Measurement system
Overage

Covers spillage, uneven depth, settling, and minor measurement differences.

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Material only; taxes, delivery, tools, reinforcement, and labor are excluded.

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Your material estimate

Retaining wall blocks

189blocks

Includes 5% overage and purchase-unit rounding where applicable.

Entered block-course face area
60 sq ft
Block courses
9 courses
Blocks per course
20 blocks
Cap units
21 caps

Example estimate: default sample values are shown. Update the measurements and select Calculate before using or copying this list.

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Shopping list

  • Retaining wall blocksIncludes 5% overage; verify corner and specialty units.189 blocks
  • Retaining wall capsOne cap course with 5% overage.21 caps
Calculation assumptions
  • Entered height is the exposed block-course height and excludes the cap course, which is counted separately above it; buried base courses are not added.
  • Block face length and height are treated as installed module dimensions.
  • The estimate assumes full units in each course and does not optimize cut pieces or corners.
  • Wall design, setback, reinforcement, drainage, and maximum height must follow the block system and local requirements.

Course layout

How retaining wall blocks are counted

1

Blocks per course

Wall length is divided by installed block face length.

2

Number of courses

Entered exposed block-course height, excluding caps, is divided by installed block face height.

3

Blocks and caps

Full block courses receive overage. One separate cap course is counted above the entered height.

Structural boundary

Quantity is not wall design

The entered height covers exposed block courses only. The cap course sits above that height and is counted separately. The estimate excludes buried courses, corners, curves, geogrid, drainage aggregate, pipe, and specialty units unless you include them separately.

Confirm the wall system

Height limits, embedment, setback, base, drainage, surcharge, soil, and reinforcement require manufacturer guidance and may require an engineer or permit.