Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel for a driveway, path or drainage bed. Enter the area and depth in any units to get cubic yards, weight in US tons or tonnes at an editable density, truck loads and an optional cost.
Leave blank for 1.
Spillage and uneven ground. Blank counts as 0.
Typical value. Ask your supplier. Blank hides the weight.
Blank hides the truck loads.
In your own currency.
Enter the dimensions to see the volume.
About the gravel calculator
The Gravel Calculator tells you how much gravel to order for a driveway, a garden path, a patio bed or a drainage strip. Describe the area as a rectangle, circle, triangle, trapezoid or a known area, add the depth, and it returns the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic metres and litres. It then converts the volume into weight in US tons and tonnes, counts the truck loads, and, if you enter a price, estimates the cost.
Gravel is sold by volume at some yards and by weight at others, and the two are linked by density. That is why the tool shows both. You can compare the volume against a bulk bag, a trailer or a delivery truck, and check the weight against what the supplier quotes on the ticket.
How to calculate how much gravel you need
Steps
- Pick a shape that matches the area. Use rectangle for most driveways and paths, circle for a fire pit or round bed, and Known area if you already measured square feet or square metres.
- Enter the dimensions. Each length has its own unit, so you can mix feet for length and inches for depth without converting anything by hand.
- Enter the depth. It defaults to inches. If you have several identical areas, raise the Quantity instead of measuring them again.
- Leave Waste blank for an exact figure, or add a few percent to cover spillage and uneven ground.
- Check the Density. The default is 1.4 US tons per cubic yard. Change it to the figure your supplier gives you.
- Optionally enter a truck capacity and a price per US ton, tonne, cubic yard or cubic metre.
Formulas
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, one US ton is 2,000 lb and one tonne is 1,000 kg. Truck loads are always rounded up, because a partial load still has to be delivered.
Worked example: a small gravel pad
A pad measures 10 ft by 10 ft and is 3 in deep. The area is 100 ft² and 3 in is 0.25 ft, so the volume is 25 ft³. Dividing by 27 gives 0.93 yd³, which is 0.71 m³.
- At the default 1.4 US tons per cubic yard the weight is 1.30 US tons.
- Switch the density unit to tonnes per cubic metre and it resets to 1.68, which gives 1.19 tonnes.
- If your supplier says their gravel weighs 1.6 US tons per cubic yard, type that in and the weight becomes 1.48 US tons.
- At a price of 45 per US ton, the estimated cost is 58.33.
- A truck of 10 yd³ is one load, though most suppliers would sell you a smaller quantity.
How deep should the gravel be?
Depth matters more than most people expect, because the volume grows in direct proportion to it. As a rule of thumb, one cubic yard covers about 324 ft² at 1 in deep, 162 ft² at 2 in, 108 ft² at 3 in and 81 ft² at 4 in.
Typical depths, which vary with soil, traffic and local practice, are 2 to 3 in to top up an existing driveway and 4 to 6 in for a new driveway base. Light foot traffic paths often use less. Ask a local supplier or contractor what suits your ground, then enter that figure.
Choosing a density
Density depends on the stone, its size and how wet it is. The 1.4 US tons per cubic yard default is a typical figure for loose gravel and is only a starting point. Damp stone weighs more than dry stone, and a fine mix weighs more than a coarse, open one. Because the density field is editable, you can replace the default with the number printed on your supplier's price list and see the weight and cost update straight away.
If you are laying a base that will be compacted, the Road Base Calculator adds a compaction allowance for you. For a concrete slab or footing, use the Concrete Calculator instead.
Accuracy and limits
Results are estimates. Real ground is rarely flat, loose gravel settles after delivery, and some material is lost at the edges. Measure twice, add a small waste allowance if the surface is uneven, and confirm the final quantity with your supplier. This tool does not know your local prices, your stone grade or the load limits of your vehicle.
Privacy
Nothing is uploaded; every calculation runs in your browser and never leaves your device.
Related tools
If you only have the dimensions of an awkward space, the Area Calculator can work out the area first. The Volume Converter switches between cubic yards, cubic metres and litres, and the Mass Converter converts tons to tonnes. For other bulk materials try the Mulch Calculator or the Topsoil Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get the volume, then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For example, a 10 ft by 10 ft area that is 3 in deep is 25 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards.
How much area does one cubic yard of gravel cover?
About 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches and 81 at 4 inches. Deeper layers cover proportionally less ground.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Typical figures are 2 to 3 inches to top up an existing driveway and 4 to 6 inches for a new driveway base. The right depth depends on your soil and traffic, so check with a local supplier or contractor.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
The default here is 1.4 US tons per cubic yard, which is a typical value for loose gravel. Density varies with stone type and moisture, so ask your supplier and edit the density field to match.
Can I work in tonnes and cubic metres?
Yes. Each length has its own unit, and switching the density unit to tonnes per cubic metre resets the default to 1.68. Results are shown in both US tons and tonnes, and in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic metres and litres.
Should I add extra for waste?
The waste allowance is blank by default, so the result is the exact volume. Adding a few percent can cover spillage, uneven ground and settling, and you can enter any value you like.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The volume, weight and truck load sums run in your browser, so your measurements, density and prices are never uploaded or stored on a server. They stay on this device and are not shared with anyone.