Gravel Calculator
Enter the area and depth to find how many tons and cubic yards of gravel, crushed stone, river rock or sand to order.
- Tons & cubic yards
- Material presets
- Custom density
- Cost estimate
Area to cover
Enter feet (12), feet and inches (12' 6" or 12 6) or inches (18in).
2.72 tons
1.94 cubic yards of pea gravel at 3 inches deep.
- Cubic yards
- 1.94
- Cubic feet
- 52.5
- Cubic metres
- 1.49 m³
- Weight in pounds
- 5,444 lb
- Metric tonnes
- 2.47 t
Densities are typical values for dry material and vary by supplier and moisture. Ask your supplier for their figure and choose Custom density to use it.
What is a gravel calculator?
A gravel calculator converts the size of an area and the depth you want into the amount of gravel to order. Suppliers sell bulk gravel by the ton or by the cubic yard, so the calculator works out the volume and then uses a typical density for the material to estimate weight. You can change the density to match your supplier’s figure.
How to use Gravel Calculator
- Choose feet and inches or metres and enter the area, such as a driveway, path or patio base. Add more shapes for irregular areas.
- Enter the depth: about 2 inches for paths, 4 inches or more for driveways built in layers.
- Pick the material or enter your supplier’s density, and add a few percent for compaction.
- Read tons and cubic yards, and add the price per ton for a cost estimate.
How much gravel do I need?
- Volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × density. Typical dry densities range from about 1.1 t/yd³ (topsoil) to 1.4 t/yd³ (gravel).
- A 20 × 10 ft area at 3 inches is 50 cu ft = 1.85 cu yd ≈ 2.6 tons of pea gravel.
- Crushed stone compacts, so add 5–10% when you plan to tamp it down.
Why use this gravel calculator
- Tons and cubic yardsOrder the way your supplier sells, by weight or by volume.
- Material presetsPea gravel, crushed stone, river rock, sand and topsoil, or your own density.
- Several areas at onceAdd rectangles, circles and triangles, set quantities and subtract cut-outs to match real, irregular spaces.
- Feet, inches or metresType 12' 6" or 12 6, switch to metres any time, and see results in both systems.
Common projects
- Driveways. Base and top layers for a gravel driveway.
- Garden paths. Pea gravel paths and borders.
- Patio and shed bases. Compacted crushed stone under pavers or concrete.
- Drainage. French drains and gravel beds.
Planning a bigger project? See all home and DIY calculators, or work out costs with the percentage calculator and discount calculator.
Example: a gravel driveway
A 60 × 10 ft driveway with 4 inches of crushed stone is 200 cu ft, or 7.4 cubic yards. With 5% extra that is 7.8 cubic yards, about 10.5 tons at 1.35 t/yd³. At $45 a ton, the stone costs about $472 before delivery.
What to expect from the result
Material densities vary with stone type, size and moisture; the presets are typical approximations. Delivery minimums, sub-base preparation and edging are not included.
Gravel Calculator questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material density (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for gravel) to get tons.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Typically 1.3–1.5 tons, depending on the stone. This calculator uses about 1.4 tons for pea gravel and 1.35 for crushed stone; you can enter your supplier’s figure.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Driveways are usually built in layers totalling 8–12 inches, with a top layer of 2–4 inches. Paths and decorative areas need about 2–3 inches.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 115 sq ft; at 3 inches, about 77 sq ft, assuming 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Can I use this for sand or topsoil?
Yes. Choose Sand or Topsoil, or enter a custom density.