CurveSet
FREE RETAINING WALL PLANNING TOOL

Curved Retaining Wall Calculator

Curved walls change effective front-face radius from course to course. Select whether the wall bends inward or outward, choose the radius reference and enter your intended height.

Use free calculatorOpen calculator in full screen ↗

How to calculate your wall

  1. Choose inside or outside curve; a convex bend and a concave bend aren't interchangeable.
  2. Enter top-course or base-course radius and the wall's curve angle.
  3. Enter exposed wall height and select a block profile to see per-course quantities.

Worked example

For a 90-degree outside curve with a 10-foot top-course radius, 2.5-foot exposed height, one buried course and VERSA-LOK Standard, the estimate is 75 placements or 83 blocks with 10% waste, plus 12 caps.

These are preliminary quantities, not a substitute for site measurements or product specifications.

Planning tip: Radius describes the distance from the curve center to the front face of the selected reference course.
CURVESET FIELD GUIDE

How many blocks does a curved retaining wall need?

Understand radius, height, course setback and waste with a worked 90-degree wall example. Then open its measurements in the free calculator.

Read the curved wall calculation guide ↗
CurveSet construction cutaway preview of a curved retaining wall

Try the interactive CurveSet estimator

Start with the example settings or enter your own measurements. For a larger view, open the full-page calculator.

Open the calculator in full screen ↗

What this estimate includes

Tight radii may require special manufacturer-approved units, adjustments or cuts; field-check fit. For S-curves and rounded U shapes, use the app.

Frequently asked question

Why does a curved wall need a different count each course? Because setback changes the face radius as the wall rises, which changes the available run for blocks.

Need more than a first-pass estimate?

CurveSet's Android and iOS app adds S-walls, rounded U-walls, 3D views, excavation and drainage takeoffs, saved projects and installation planning. Lifetime Pro adds unlimited projects, complete printable PDFs and detailed cut and field records.

See CurveSet mobile features ↗