What a 10 ft French drain takes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Drain rock (clean washed stone, 3/4 to 1½ in) | 0.58 cubic yards, 0.8 tons |
| Perforated pipe, 4 in | 10 ft (1 piece of 10 ft) |
| Non-woven filter fabric | 50 sq ft |
| Soil to dig out | 0.6 cubic yards |
For a trench 12 in wide and 18 in deep, with 10% extra stone for uneven trench walls and settling. The stone is the trench volume less the space the pipe takes up, at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
10 ft of drain, by trench size
Width × depth of the trench, with a 4 in pipe and 10% extra stone.
| Trench | Drain rock, cubic yards | Tons | Fabric, sq ft | Soil dug out, cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 12 in | 0.24 | 0.3 | 37 | 0.2 |
| 12 × 12 in | 0.37 | 0.5 | 40 | 0.4 |
| 12 × 18 in | 0.58 | 0.8 | 50 | 0.6 |
| 12 × 24 in | 0.78 | 1.1 | 60 | 0.7 |
| 18 × 24 in | 1.19 | 1.7 | 65 | 1.1 |
A short drain: bags or a small bulk load
A 10 ft drain is the size of a run from one downspout or along one wet corner. It takes 15.5 cubic feet of drain rock, 0.6 cubic yards, which is a small order for a bulk delivery. Bagged drainage gravel is practical at this size: divide 15.5 by the cubic feet printed on the bag to get the count.
If the trench is only 12 in deep the stone falls to 0.4 cubic yards (0.5 tons). You still need 10 ft of perforated pipe, 1 piece of 10 ft, and 50 sq ft of filter fabric.
Use clean, washed stone with no fines, wrap the stone (not the pipe) in the fabric, and make sure the drain has an outlet. The fittings, tools and steps are in the French drain materials list, and the method behind the stone figure is in how much gravel for a French drain.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full French Drain Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10 foot French drain?
About 0.6 cubic yards, or 0.8 tons, of clean drain rock for a trench 12 in wide and 18 in deep with a 4 in pipe, including 10% extra. A 12 by 24 in trench takes 0.8 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet of gravel for a 10 ft French drain?
About 15.5 cubic feet (0.6 cubic yards) for a trench 12 in wide and 18 in deep with a 4 in pipe, including 10% extra.
How much pipe and fabric for a 10 ft French drain?
10 ft of perforated pipe (1 piece of 10 ft) and about 50 sq ft of non-woven filter fabric.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.