Construction Calculators
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Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel you need for driveways, paths, landscaping, and construction projects. Get volume, tonnage, and cost estimates instantly.
Gravel Volume & Cost Calculator
Calculate gravel requirements for driveways, paths, patios, and landscaping projects
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How to Calculate Gravel
Calculating how much gravel you need involves four straightforward steps. Whether you are planning a driveway, walkway, patio base, or drainage project, following this process ensures you order the right amount of material and avoid costly overages or shortfalls.
Step 1: Measure the Area
Measure the length and width of your project area in feet (or meters). For rectangular spaces, simply record both dimensions. For circular areas such as fire pits or tree rings, measure the diameter and divide by two to get the radius. For irregular shapes, break the area into smaller rectangles or circles and calculate each section separately.
Step 2: Determine the Depth
Decide how deep your gravel layer needs to be. Depth depends on the project type. Driveways typically require 4 to 6 inches, walkways need 2 to 3 inches, and drainage applications may require 6 to 12 inches. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 (for example, 4 inches = 0.333 feet).
Step 3: Calculate the Volume
For a rectangular area, multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards, which is the standard ordering unit for bulk gravel. For a circular area, use the formula: π × radius² × depth. One cubic yard equals approximately 27 cubic feet, and one cubic meter equals about 35.3 cubic feet.
Step 4: Convert Volume to Weight
Gravel suppliers typically sell by the ton rather than by volume. As a general rule, 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs), though this varies by gravel type. Multiply your cubic yards by the density factor for your chosen material. Always order 5 to 10 percent extra to account for settling, compaction, and uneven ground.
Gravel Types and Coverage
Different gravel types have different densities, appearances, and ideal applications. Use this reference table to choose the right material for your project and estimate weight accurately.
| Gravel Type | Weight per Cubic Yard | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs) | Walkways, patios, drainage, playgrounds, between pavers |
| Crushed Stone | 1.40 tons (2,800 lbs) | Driveways, road base, foundation base, retaining walls |
| River Rock | 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs) | Landscaping, garden borders, dry creek beds, erosion control |
| Decomposed Granite | 1.50 tons (3,000 lbs) | Pathways, xeriscaping, patio surfaces, ground cover |
| Crusher Run | 1.50 tons (3,000 lbs) | Road base, driveway base, compacted sub-base, parking areas |
| White Marble Chips | 1.45 tons (2,900 lbs) | Decorative landscaping, flower beds, walkway accents |
Recommended Gravel Depth by Project
The right gravel depth depends on the application. Using too little gravel leads to bare spots and poor drainage, while using too much wastes material and increases costs.
Driveways
4 - 6 inches
Apply in layers: a 4-inch base of larger crushed stone (#3 or #4), topped with 2 inches of finer gravel (#57 or crusher run). For heavy vehicles, increase to 6-8 inches total.
Walkways and Paths
2 - 3 inches
Pea gravel or decomposed granite work best. Install landscape fabric underneath to prevent weed growth and maintain a clean surface over time.
Drainage and French Drains
6 - 12 inches
Use clean, washed stone (#57 or river rock) around perforated pipe. The deeper the trench, the greater the drainage capacity. Minimum 6 inches of gravel surrounding the pipe.
Decorative and Landscaping
2 - 3 inches
Sufficient to provide full ground coverage and suppress weeds. Heavier river rock or marble chips at 2 inches; lighter pea gravel at 2-3 inches for even coverage.
Gravel Cost Estimates
Gravel prices vary by type, region, and quantity. Buying in bulk (by the ton or cubic yard) is significantly cheaper than buying bagged gravel from a hardware store. Delivery fees typically range from $50 to $150 depending on distance and quantity.
| Material | Price per Ton | Price per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | $25 - $50 | $30 - $65 |
| Crushed Stone | $20 - $45 | $25 - $60 |
| River Rock | $40 - $80 | $50 - $100 |
| Decomposed Granite | $30 - $55 | $40 - $75 |
| Crusher Run | $20 - $40 | $25 - $55 |
Prices are approximate U.S. national averages. Actual costs vary by location, supplier, and quantity. Contact local suppliers for current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A standard single-car driveway (10 ft x 40 ft) at 4 inches deep requires approximately 2.2 cubic yards or about 3 tons of gravel. A double-wide driveway (20 ft x 40 ft) at 4 inches deep needs roughly 4.4 cubic yards or about 6 tons. Use our calculator above for exact measurements based on your dimensions.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
One ton of gravel covers approximately 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 50 square feet at 4 inches deep, or 33 square feet at 6 inches deep. Coverage varies slightly by gravel type and size, but these estimates work well for planning purposes.
How many cubic yards of gravel are in a ton?
On average, 1 ton of gravel equals approximately 0.71 cubic yards (or conversely, 1 cubic yard equals about 1.4 tons). This ratio varies by material: pea gravel is closer to 0.74 cubic yards per ton, while denser crusher run is closer to 0.67 cubic yards per ton.
Should I order extra gravel?
Yes. Order 5 to 10 percent more than your calculated amount to account for settling, compaction, and ground irregularities. This is especially important for uneven terrain, projects with edges that are hard to contain, or when spreading gravel over soft ground.
What is the best gravel for a driveway?
Crusher run (a mix of crushed stone and stone dust) is the best choice for driveways because it compacts firmly and locks together. Apply a base layer of #3 crushed stone (1-2 inches) followed by a surface layer of crusher run or #57 stone. Avoid using round pea gravel for driveways, as it shifts under tires.
How the Gravel Calculator Works
A 60 x 12 foot gravel driveway at 4 inches deep works out to 8.9 cubic yards on paper — order 9 and you will come up short. Compaction eats 15 to 20 percent of loose volume, so the real order is 10.2 to 10.7 yards, or roughly 15 to 16 tons at a typical 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Miss the compaction factor and you are paying a second delivery fee and standing a crew down while the truck comes back.
Contractors run this math constantly: driveway builds and re-graveling, base rock under slabs and paver patios, trench bedding, French drains, and site access roads. The friction is that plans and takeoffs speak in cubic yards while quarries and haulers sell by the ton — this calculator converts both directions, applies the compaction factor, and gives you a number you can phone in to the pit.
Gravel volume and tonnage
- Cubic yards = (length ft x width ft x depth in / 12) / 27
- Tons = cubic yards x 1.4 to 1.7 (density varies by material)
- Order quantity = calculated volume x 1.15 to 1.20 compaction factor
- Coverage per cubic yard = 324 sq ft / depth in inches
Estimating Steps and Checks
Set depth by what the gravel has to do
A finished driveway surface course runs 2 to 4 inches per lift; a walkway or decorative bed needs about 2 inches; base rock under slabs, pavers, or heavy traffic should be 4 to 6 inches compacted. A new driveway over raw subgrade is really two or three of those layers stacked — price the full section, not just the top course.
Measure the footprint and convert to cubic yards
Length times width in feet, times depth in feet (inches divided by 12), divided by 27. Break L-shaped or curved areas into rectangles and add them — eyeballing an irregular drive is how estimates end up a truckload off.
Add the compaction factor
Anything that gets plate-compacted or rolled — base rock, CA6, crusher run — loses 15 to 20 percent of its loose volume, so multiply the calculated yards by 1.15 to 1.20. Loose decorative fills like pea gravel in a planting bed can skip this step.
Convert to tons and round up to what the truck carries
Quarries sell by weight, so multiply yards by the material density: figure 1.4 tons per yard for pea gravel and lighter clean stone, up to 1.7 for dense-graded base with fines, and ask the pit for their number. Round up to the hauler's increment — a tri-axle load short by half a yard costs a full second trip.
Common Checks
- Coverage table in one line: one cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, and 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
- Watch the units — depth almost always arrives in inches while the formula wants feet. Forget to divide by 12 and the order is off by a factor of twelve.
- Density is a material property, not a constant: pea gravel and clean #57 stone run near the light end (about 1.4 tons/yd), while crushed base like CA6 or crusher run with fines lands at 1.5 to 1.7 tons/yd. Moisture in the stockpile adds weight too, which matters when you buy by the ton.
- On driveways, place base rock in 2 to 4 inch lifts and compact each one before the next — a single 8 inch dump never densifies at depth and will rut and pothole in the first wet season.
Gravel Calculator FAQs
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length x width x depth in feet and divide by 27, then add 15 to 20 percent for compaction. A 50 x 12 foot driveway at 4 inches deep is 600 sq ft x 0.33 ft = 200 cubic feet, or 7.4 cubic yards loose — order about 8.5 to 9 yards, roughly 13 tons. A brand-new drive over bare subgrade needs more: a 4 to 6 inch compacted base course plus a 2 to 3 inch surface course, each figured separately.
How much is a yard of gravel?
By weight, one cubic yard of gravel runs about 2,800 to 3,400 pounds (1.4 to 1.7 tons) depending on the material and moisture content. By coverage, it spreads over 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Price varies widely by region and haul distance — delivery is often a big share of the invoice, and crushed base rock typically costs less per ton than decorative pea gravel or clean washed stone.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material's density: 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard covers most construction aggregate. So 10 yards of crushed base at 1.5 tons/yd is 15 tons, while the same 10 yards of pea gravel at 1.4 tons/yd is 14 tons. When the order is tight, call the quarry and ask for the density of the specific product — they weigh it every day.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At a typical 1.5 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 18 cubic feet, which covers roughly 108 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 72 sq ft at 3 inches, or 54 sq ft at 4 inches. The common field rule of thumb — a ton covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches — is close enough for a sanity check on the calculator's output.
What is base rock and how deep should it go?
Base rock (CA6, crusher run, road base) is crushed stone graded from fines up to about 3/4 or 1 inch, so it locks together when compacted — unlike rounded pea gravel, which never stops rolling. Under driveways, slabs, and pavers, plan on 4 to 6 inches compacted, placed in 2 to 4 inch lifts. Because it compacts, size the order at calculated volume plus 15 to 20 percent.