⛰️ Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel volume and weight for driveways, paths, and landscapes.
What is this tool?
A gravel calculator is a landscaping and construction tool that estimates the volume and weight of gravel needed for driveways, garden paths, drainage projects, and decorative ground cover. Gravel is sold by the cubic yard, the cubic foot, or by the ton, and converting between these units can be confusing without a calculator. Whether you are building a new driveway with crushed stone, laying a French drain with pea gravel, or creating a decorative garden border with river rock, knowing the right amount to order saves money on delivery fees and avoids the hassle of having too little material to finish the job. Gravel depth varies by application: driveways typically need 4 to 6 inches of compacted base material, pathways need 2 to 3 inches, and decorative ground cover needs 2 inches. The density of gravel varies by type, with most construction gravels weighing about 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard.How it works
The calculator takes the length and width of the area in feet and the desired depth in inches. It converts the depth to feet by dividing by 12, then multiplies length times width times depth in feet to get cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, it divides by 27 since one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. To estimate weight in tons, it multiplies cubic yards by an average density of 1.5 tons per cubic yard, which is typical for most gravel types. The formula is: cubic feet = length times width times (depth divided by 12); cubic yards = cubic feet divided by 27; tons = cubic yards times 1.5.How to use
- Measure the length and width of the area you want to cover with gravel in feet. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and calculate each separately.
- Decide on the depth of gravel needed. Driveways typically need 4 to 6 inches, pathways need 2 to 3 inches, and decorative cover needs about 2 inches.
- Enter the measurements into the calculator. It will automatically compute cubic feet, cubic yards, and estimated tons.
- When ordering from a supplier, round up to the nearest half cubic yard or ton, as most suppliers do not sell smaller increments.
- For projects requiring compaction, order about 20 percent extra because gravel compacts to roughly 80 percent of its loose volume after settling and tamping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need for a 100 sq ft driveway?
A 100 square foot driveway at 4 inches deep requires about 1.2 cubic yards or roughly 1.8 tons of gravel. At 6 inches deep, you need about 1.9 cubic yards or 2.8 tons. Always round up when ordering.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
For residential driveways with light vehicle traffic, 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel base is standard. For heavier vehicles or areas with poor drainage, consider 8 to 12 inches. The base layer should be larger stone, topped with a finer gravel surface layer.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by approximately 1.5 for most types of gravel. Crushed stone and dense aggregates may weigh up to 1.7 tons per cubic yard, while lighter materials like lava rock weigh about 1.0 tons per cubic yard.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard of gravel spread at 2 inches deep covers about 162 square feet. At 3 inches, it covers 108 square feet. At 4 inches, it covers 81 square feet. This assumes the gravel is loosely packed before compaction.
Tips & Advice
Before ordering gravel, check with local suppliers about delivery fees and minimum order quantities, as these can significantly affect your total cost. For driveway projects, consider using a geotextile fabric barrier between the soil and gravel base to prevent the stones from sinking into the ground over time. Compacted gravel settles and locks together better than loose gravel, so plan to rent a plate compactor for driveway installations. For drainage projects like French drains, use washed gravel without fines, as the fine particles can clog the drainage system. Order all gravel from the same source to ensure consistent color and stone size throughout your project.