Gravel Calculator
Estimate how much gravel, crushed stone, or sand you need in cubic yards and tons for a driveway, path, or base layer.
How it works
Gravel volume and weight formula
Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27 Tons = cubic yards × material density (t/yd³)
Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or weight (tons). Compute the volume of the area to fill, convert to cubic yards, then multiply by the material's density to estimate weight. Density varies by material — crushed stone packs heavier than round river rock.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway topped with 3 inches of gravel: 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 ft³ = 1.85 yd³. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that's about 2.6 tons of gravel.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should gravel be?
Walkways and decorative cover: 2–3 inches. Driveways: 4–8 inches total, usually built as two or three compacted layers with larger base stone underneath and smaller surface gravel on top.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Typically 1.3 to 1.5 US tons depending on the stone type and moisture. This calculator uses standard densities per material — your supplier can give the exact figure for their product.
Should I order extra?
Yes, add about 5–10% for compaction and settling, especially for driveways that will be mechanically compacted.