Please enter valid positive dimensions and density.
Estimated Material Requirements
Total Volume Needed: ft³
Volume in Cubic Yards: yd³
Estimated Weight: lbs
Total Tonnage to Order: Tons
Estimated Material Cost:$
function calculateRockWall() {
var lengthBtn = document.getElementById('rwLength');
var heightBtn = document.getElementById('rwHeight');
var thicknessBtn = document.getElementById('rwThickness');
var densityBtn = document.getElementById('rwDensity');
var priceBtn = document.getElementById('rwPricePerTon');
var wasteBtn = document.getElementById('rwWaste');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('rw-result');
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('rw-error');
var length = parseFloat(lengthBtn.value);
var height = parseFloat(heightBtn.value);
var thickness = parseFloat(thicknessBtn.value);
var density = parseFloat(densityBtn.value);
var pricePerTon = parseFloat(priceBtn.value) || 0;
var wasteFactor = parseFloat(wasteBtn.value);
if (isNaN(length) || length <= 0 || isNaN(height) || height <= 0 || isNaN(thickness) || thickness <= 0 || isNaN(density) || density <= 0) {
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
resultDiv.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
errorDiv.style.display = 'none';
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
// Calculate raw volume in cubic feet
var rawVolumeCuFt = length * height * thickness;
// Apply waste factor
var totalVolumeCuFt = rawVolumeCuFt * wasteFactor;
// Convert to cubic yards (27 cubic feet per cubic yard)
var totalVolumeCuYd = totalVolumeCuFt / 27;
// Calculate weight in pounds (Volume ft³ * Density lbs/ft³)
var totalWeightLbs = totalVolumeCuFt * density;
// Convert weight to tons (2000 lbs per ton)
var totalWeightTons = totalWeightLbs / 2000;
// Calculate total cost
var totalCost = totalWeightTons * pricePerTon;
// Display results
document.getElementById('resVolumeCuFt').innerText = totalVolumeCuFt.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resVolumeCuYd').innerText = totalVolumeCuYd.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resWeightLbs').innerText = totalWeightLbs.toLocaleString(undefined, {maximumFractionDigits: 0});
document.getElementById('resWeightTons').innerText = totalWeightTons.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resTotalCost').innerText = totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
}
How to Estimate Materials for a Rock Wall
Planning a dry-stack retaining wall, a decorative garden border, or a structural rock feature requires accurate material estimation. Ordering too little stone stops construction, while ordering too much wastes money and requires disposal. This Rock Wall Material Calculator helps you estimate the necessary volume and tonnage based on your wall's dimensions and the type of stone you intend to use.
Understanding the Inputs
Wall Length & Height: The total linear footage of the wall you are building and its desired finished height.
Average Thickness: This is crucial for volume calculations. For a stable gravity wall, the base thickness generally needs to be a certain percentage of the height (often 1/3 to 1/2 the height). Enter the average depth of the wall from front face to back.
Rock Density (lbs/ft³): Different stones have different weights. While a standard average for general quarried stone is around 160 lbs per cubic foot, dense granite can be upwards of 170 lbs/ft³, while porous sandstone or volcanic rock might be closer to 130-140 lbs/ft³.
Waste Factor: When building with natural stone, you will inevitably have gaps, broken pieces, or rocks that just don't fit. A standard 10% waste factor is recommended to ensure you have enough usable material to complete the project without reordering.
How the Calculation Works
The calculator first determines the raw volume of the wall by multiplying Length × Height × Average Thickness. It then applies the selected waste factor percentage to account for unusable material and gaps.
Once the total required volume is determined in cubic feet, it is converted to cubic yards (dividing by 27). To determine the tonnage—which is how most suppliers sell stone—the volume in cubic feet is multiplied by the Rock Density you provided to get total pounds, which is then divided by 2,000 to arrive at the required tonnage.
Note: This calculator provides estimates for landscaping and simple gravity walls. For structural retaining walls over 3-4 feet in height, it is highly recommended to consult with a professional engineer, as drainage, base preparation, and geogrid reinforcement become critical factors not accounted for in simple volume calculations.