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French Drain Calculator

Quickly figure out your French drain needs with our free, easy-to-use calculator. Perfect for homeowners and DIY lovers. No fuss, just simple answers.

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Picture this: It’s been raining for hours. You step into your backyard, and splash! Your lawn is a soggy mess.

A French drain helps fix that. It’s a trench filled with gravel and a pipe. Water flows into it and drains away from your home or yard.

Why You Need a French Drain Calculator

Let’s be real. Measuring and guessing isn’t fun. You don’t want to dig too deep or buy too much gravel.

That’s where our French Drain Calculator comes in. It saves time, money, and your back.

With just a few quick inputs, you’ll get:

  • How long the drain should be
  • How much gravel and pipe you’ll need
  • An estimate of how much water it can handle
  • A cost range based on your numbers

How to Use the Calculator

Got a ruler or tape measure? Great! That’s all you need.

Enter:

  • The area size (in square feet)
  • Rainfall in inches (check your local weather app)
  • Soil type (clay, sandy, or loamy)
  • Drain width and depth (you can adjust these)

Our calculator will do the math for you. You’ll get quick, clear results.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say your yard is 1,000 square feet and you get 1 inch of rain.

Here’s the math:

Water Volume = Area × Rain × 0.623

= 1,000 × 1 × 0.623

= 623 gallons

That’s over six bathtubs full of water!

If you don’t drain it, your lawn will turn into a swamp. A French drain clears that water fast.

How Deep Should a French Drain Be?

For most homes, 12 to 24 inches deep is enough. Deeper drains carry more water. If your yard slopes or floods often, go deeper.

The pipe usually sits at the bottom. Gravel goes around it. A filter cloth stops soil from clogging the pipe.

Sizing Chart for Quick Reference

Yard Size (sq ft) Rain (in) Water (gallons) Pipe Size Depth
500 1 311.5 4-inch 12 in
1,000 1 623 4-6 inch 18 in
1,500 2 1,869 6-inch 24 in
2,000 2.5 3,115 6-8 inch 24 in

This chart gives a ballpark idea. Use the calculator for better results.

What About Cost?

Installing a French drain isn’t super expensive, especially if you DIY.

  • DIY: Around $10 to $15 per foot
  • With a contractor: Around $20 to $30 per foot
  • Materials (gravel + pipe): $3 to $7 per foot

So, for a 50-foot drain, you might spend $500 to $1,500. Our calculator gives you a better estimate based on your inputs.

How Much Water Can It Handle?

A standard 4-inch pipe can carry about 25 gallons per minute if it has a good slope.

That’s enough to handle most yard runoff. Bigger pipes carry more, but they cost more too.

Final Thoughts

Water issues can ruin your lawn, basement, or even your foundation. Don’t wait until the next storm.

With our Free French Drain Calculator, you’ll know exactly what you need. No guessing. No math headaches. Just plug in a few numbers and get a fast answer.

It’s free. It’s online. It works on your phone too.

FAQs

How big of a French drain do I need?

That depends on your yard size and rainfall. Use our calculator to get a quick answer.

Can I install it myself?

Yes! Many homeowners do. Just dig, lay the pipe, and cover it with gravel.

Is the calculator free?

Yep. 100% free and easy to use.

Where should I place the drain?

Anywhere water collects. Around your home, driveway, or low spots in the yard.