Gravel Calculator
Work out how much gravel you need in cubic yards, tons and cost. Enter the size of the area and the depth, pick the material, and add a little extra for waste.
How to use the calculator
- Measure the length and width of the area. For a round area, measure across the middle.
- Enter the depth you want the gravel to be.
- Leave the extra allowance at 10 percent, or change it.
- Pick the material. The density fills in with a typical value, and you can overwrite it.
- Add a price per ton or per cubic yard if you want a cost estimate.
How the calculation works
The volume of gravel is the area multiplied by the depth. Everything is worked out in one unit and then converted.
- Volume = length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches to feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- With extra = volume × (1 + extra percent ÷ 100).
- Weight = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard.
Worked example
A section of driveway that is 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, covered 4 inches deep, with 10 percent extra, using gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
- Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume: 200 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.67 cu ft, which is 2.47 cu yd
- With 10 percent extra: 2.72 cu yd
- Weight: 2.72 × 1.4 = 3.80 tons
You would order about 2.75 cubic yards, or about 4.00 tons, rounded up.
Typical depths
These are common starting points, not rules. The right depth depends on the stone size, the ground and what the surface is used for, so check the product guidance or ask your supplier.
| Use | Common depth |
|---|---|
| Garden paths and walkways | 2 to 3 inches |
| Patio or paver base | 4 inches or more |
| Driveways | 4 to 6 inches in total, often laid in layers |
Why gravel weight varies
A cubic yard of small, tightly packed stone weighs more than a cubic yard of larger, looser stone, and damp gravel weighs more than dry. That is why the density box is editable. If your supplier quotes a weight per yard, use theirs in place of the default.
Questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Most gravel weighs somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds per cubic yard, which is roughly 1.25 to 1.5 tons. The range comes from stone size, type and moisture. The calculator defaults to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and you can type in the figure your supplier gives you.
How much extra gravel should I order?
Adding 5 to 10 percent is a common allowance for waste, spillage and settling. Go toward the higher end for a base layer that will be compacted, or for ground that is uneven or soft.
How do I work out an area that is not a simple rectangle?
Split it into rectangles and circles, then use Add another area for each one. An L-shaped driveway, for example, is two rectangles. If you already know the total area, choose I know the area.
Should I buy by the cubic yard or by the ton?
It depends on the supplier. Some sell by weight, others by volume, and bulk deliveries are often measured by the truckload. The calculator shows both, so you can compare against whichever quote you get. Use the price box to see the cost on either basis.
Does the calculator work in metric?
Yes. Switch to Metric at the top. Lengths are in meters, depth in centimeters and density in metric tons per cubic meter. Anything you have already typed is converted for you.
How accurate is the result?
It is a planning estimate. The volume is exact for the measurements you enter, but weight depends on the actual material, and the amount you need depends on how the ground is prepared. Check quantities with your supplier before you order.