Sitework quantity calculator
Concrete Headwall Calculator
Calculate headwall concrete volume from the dimensions on your culvert detail. The result deducts the round pipe opening and keeps headwall, wingwall and apron concrete separate.
Calculate concrete headwall quantities
Use this concrete headwall calculator when you already know the headwall dimensions and need a concrete quantity. It calculates the gross back wall, deducts the circular culvert opening, adds optional wingwalls and apron, then converts the net volume to cubic yards.
Formula: Net concrete = (headwall width × height × thickness − pipe-opening volume) + wingwall volume + apron volume. Multiply by the number of identical ends, then apply only the allowance you enter.
Also useful for culvert headwall concrete volume, headwall cubic yards, wingwall concrete quantity and culvert end-wall takeoffs.
Step 1
Enter project dimensions
Use dimensions from the applicable drawing, specification or field takeoff. Switch between US / Imperial and metric at any time; entered dimensions are converted automatically.
Step 2
Quantity result
Bank excavation is in-place volume. Loose spoil applies the entered swell percentage. Backfill is a geometric balance and does not add a compaction factor unless explicitly represented by an input.
Worked example
The example below uses the calculator's starting dimensions so the inputs and outputs are visible to searchers and can be checked independently.
Example inputs
| Headwall width | 10 ft |
|---|---|
| Headwall height | 6 ft |
| Headwall thickness | 0.75 ft |
| Round pipe opening diameter | 3 ft |
| Number of identical headwalls | 1 count |
| Wingwalls per headwall | 2 count |
| Wingwall length | 4 ft |
| Wingwall average height | 3 ft |
| Wingwall thickness | 0.67 ft |
| Apron length | 4 ft |
| Apron width | 8 ft |
| Apron thickness | 0.5 ft |
| Concrete allowance | 5 % |
Example results
| Concrete to order | 2.791 yd³ |
|---|---|
| Net geometric concrete | 2.658 yd³ |
| Headwall concrete | 1.47 yd³ |
| Wingwall concrete | 0.596 yd³ |
| Apron concrete | 0.593 yd³ |
| Pipe-opening deduction | 0.196 yd³ |
How the calculation works
Net concrete = (headwall width × height × thickness − pipe-opening volume) + wingwall volume + apron volume. Multiply by the number of identical ends, then apply only the allowance you enter.
FHWA Federal Lands FP-24 standard drawings include concrete headwalls, wingwalls and pipe-culvert installations in Sections 601 and 602. Use the dimensions required by your project drawings; this calculator does not size or design the structure.
FHWA Federal Lands FP-24 standard drawings — Sections 601 and 602
Scope: verify dimensions, material specifications, excavation support, compaction, reinforcement, structural or hydraulic design and local requirements independently. JobsiteMeasure estimates quantities; it does not design the installation.
Concrete Headwall Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate concrete for a culvert headwall?
Enter the back-wall width, height and thickness, deduct the pipe opening, then add any wingwalls and apron shown on the drawing. This calculator performs those volume steps and converts the result to cubic yards.
Does the calculator size the headwall or wingwalls?
No. Headwall, wingwall, apron, reinforcement and foundation dimensions are design inputs. Use the approved project detail or applicable standard drawing.
Can I calculate both inlet and outlet headwalls?
Yes. If the two ends are geometrically identical, set the number of identical headwalls to 2. If they differ, calculate each end separately.