How much stone do I need to fill a gabion basket?

A standard 1m×1m×1m gabion basket holds 1 m³ of stone, which weighs approximately 1.6-1.8 tonnes depending on stone type (cobbles ~1.8t/m³, recycled concrete ~1.6t/m³). You need roughly 1.4-1.5 m³ of loose stone to fill 1 m³ of basket due to the void spaces between stones settling during filling. We recommend adding 10% wastage.

What size stone should I use for gabion baskets?

The most common fill stone size for gabion baskets is 100-200mm cobbles or rubble. The stone must be larger than the mesh aperture (typically 75-100mm) to prevent it falling through. Using stone in the 100-200mm range provides a good balance of visual appearance, structural performance and ease of filling. For facing stones, select the flattest pieces for a neater finish.

Do gabion walls need foundations?

For walls up to 1m high on stable ground, a gabion wall can sit on a compacted sub-base of Type 1 aggregate (100-150mm deep). For walls over 1m, a concrete strip foundation may be needed. Always place geotextile membrane behind and beneath the wall to prevent soil migration. For sloping sites or walls over 1.5m, seek structural engineering advice.

How long do gabion walls last?

Gabion walls made with galfan or PVC-coated wire mesh can last 50-100 years. Standard galvanised mesh gabions typically last 30-50 years. The stone fill lasts indefinitely. Gabion walls are increasingly popular in UK gardens as they are permeable (reducing drainage issues), low-maintenance, and can be filled with local stone for a natural look.

Do I need planning permission for a gabion wall?

Gabion retaining walls under 1m high generally don't need planning permission. Walls that retain a highway or are adjacent to a highway may need permission regardless of height. For gabion walls over 1m high acting as retaining walls, you should seek building control advice as they may require structural calculations. Check our Retaining Wall Calculator (/landscaping/retaining-wall-calculator) for alternatives.

Gabion Wall Calculator — Baskets, Fill Stone & Membrane UK

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the number of gabion baskets, fill stone weight, geotextile membrane and connectors needed for your gabion wall.

Basket quantities

Baskets along length = ceil(Wall Length ÷ Basket Length)
Baskets in height = ceil(Wall Height ÷ Basket Height)
Total baskets = Baskets Long × Baskets High
(single-skin wall, 1 basket deep)

Fill stone

Fill volume (m³) = Number of baskets × Basket volume
Fill weight (tonnes) = Fill volume × Stone density

Cobbles / Granite: ~1.8 tonnes per m³
Limestone: ~1.7 tonnes per m³
Recycled concrete / Sandstone: ~1.6 tonnes per m³

Accessories

Geotextile membrane is placed behind the wall to prevent soil migration through the stone. Spiral connectors join adjacent baskets together. Stiffener bars (typically 3 per basket) maintain the basket shape during filling. For aggregate quantities, also see our Aggregate Calculator (/landscaping/aggregate-calculator).

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.

Gabion Wall Calculator — Baskets, Stone & Membrane