French Drain & Drainage Trench Calculator
Calculate trench excavation cubic yards, 3/4" drainage gravel tons, 4" perforated pipe footage, and geotextile filter fabric.
Input Parameters
Enter dimensions and specifications to estimate materials.
Drainage Gravel Needed
Gravel Weight
3.5tons
Perforated Pipe
63ft
Filter Fabric
330sq ft
Fabric Roll Width Needed
5ft
Soil to Excavate
3.3cu yd
Trench Length
60ft
Material estimates include recommended trade waste buffer. Always confirm dimensions on site prior to ordering.
How The Calculation Works
Formulas, material coverage assumptions, waste buffers, and rounding standards.
Excavation volume is trench length times width times depth. Gravel volume subtracts the space the pipe occupies, which is significant on a 6" pipe over a long run.
Gravel is converted to tons as well as cubic yards, because washed drainage stone is usually sold by weight — roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Filter fabric is calculated to line the trench fully and overlap at the top, which is what stops fine soil migrating into the stone and silting the drain up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Practical installation guidance and purchasing tips for french drain & drainage trench calculator.