Gravel Calculator
Calculate how many tons or cubic yards of gravel you need for a driveway, path, or base layer. Free, private, no signup — runs in your browser.
Coverage Area & Depth
2–4" for walkways and driveway top layers; 6–8" for structural road base foundations.
Standard angular crushed gravel. Excellent drainage for driveways and french drains.
Loose gravel settles by 5–10% when rolled or driven on. Add 5% for flat walkways, 10% for unpaved driveway base layers.
Gravel Volume & Weight
Aggregate quarries deliver in half-ton or half-yard increments. For this area, order approximately 3.50 tons (or 2.50 cu yd).
Estimate Gravel Volume and Tonnage Instantly
Enter the length, width, and target depth of the area you are covering to calculate total gravel volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus estimated delivery weight in US short tons. Computations execute entirely in your web browser with zero server uploads and no account required.
Result Interpretation: Cubic Yards vs. Tonnage
- Volume Needed (Cubic Yards): Identifies the physical space the loose aggregate will fill (1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet). Bulk landscape suppliers frequently sell top dressing and decorative stone by the yard loaded via loader bucket.
- Estimated Weight (Tons): Converts the calculated cubic volume into total weight using the bulk density of your chosen stone type (1 US ton equals 2,000 lbs). Commercial quarries, dump truck haulers, and highway supply yards almost exclusively bill, scale, and deliver aggregate by the ton.
- Weight Variation by Aggregate Type: Different rock types pack to different densities. Rounded pea gravel weighs approximately 96 lbs per cubic foot (~1.30 tons per cubic yard), angular crushed stone weighs around 100 lbs per cubic foot (~1.35 tons/yd³), while dense road base / crusher run with stone dust packs up to 110 lbs per cubic foot (~1.49 tons/yd³).
- Settling & Compaction: When gravel is rolled, tamped, or driven on, air voids between the stones collapse. To achieve a finished, compacted target depth, ordering a 5% to 10% compaction allowance is standard practice among site contractors.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter dimensions: Measure the length and width of your driveway, pathway, patio base, or flower bed in feet.
- Select depth in inches: Choose your target gravel depth (2"–3" for walkways and top dressings; 4"–8" for paver sub-bases and vehicle driveways).
- Select material type: Choose crushed stone, pea gravel, road base, decomposed granite, or enter a custom quarry-certified density.
- Review volume and weight: Read your cubic yardage and delivery tonnage in the results panel to place your order with confidence.
Formulas & Calculation Logic
Gravel calculations convert measurements into cubic volume and apply bulk material density:
Volume in Cubic Feet:
volume_cu_ft = length_ft × width_ft × (depth_inches ÷ 12)Volume in Cubic Yards:
volume_cu_yd = volume_cu_ft ÷ 27Weight in Pounds:
weight_lbs = volume_cu_ft × density_lbs_per_cu_ftWeight in US Short Tons:
weight_tons = weight_lbs ÷ 2,000Results are presented to two decimal places. Suppliers typically scale orders up to the nearest half-ton or full loader bucket.
Real-World Worked Examples
Example 1: Driveway Top Layer with Crushed Stone
A homeowner resurfaces a 20 ft by 10 ft driveway parking bay with 4 inches of standard #57 crushed limestone (100 lbs/cu ft density):
- Dimensions: 20 ft long × 10 ft wide = 200 sq ft
- Depth: 4 inches = 0.333 ft
- Volume (cu ft):
20 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.67 cu ft - Volume (cu yds):
66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yds - Weight (lbs):
66.67 × 100 = 6,667 lbs - Weight (tons):
6,667 ÷ 2,000 = 3.33 tons - Order Recommendation: ~3.5 tons (or 2.5 cubic yards)
Example 2: Heavy-Duty Driveway Foundation with Road Base
A contractor builds a structural sub-base for a new driveway measuring 20 ft by 10 ft at an 8-inch depth using crusher run (110 lbs/cu ft density):
- Dimensions: 20 ft long × 10 ft wide = 200 sq ft
- Depth: 8 inches = 0.667 ft
- Volume (cu ft):
20 × 10 × (8 ÷ 12) = 133.33 cu ft - Volume (cu yds):
133.33 ÷ 27 = 4.94 cu yds - Weight (lbs):
133.33 × 110 = 14,666 lbs - Weight (tons):
14,666 ÷ 2,000 = 7.33 tons - Order Recommendation: ~7.5 tons (or 5.0 cubic yards)
Aggregate Density & Recommended Installation Depths
Different gravel grades serve distinct structural and drainage roles:
| Gravel Type | Average Density | Tons / Cu Yd | Typical Installation Depth | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone (#57) | ~100 lbs/ft³ | ~1.35 tons | 2" – 4" | Driveway top coats, french drains, pipe bedding |
| Pea Gravel (3/8") | ~96 lbs/ft³ | ~1.30 tons | 2" – 3" | Garden paths, playground surfaces, dog runs |
| Road Base / Crusher Run | ~110 lbs/ft³ | ~1.49 tons | 4" – 8" | Compacted foundation base for asphalt, pavers, concrete |
| Decomposed Granite | ~105 lbs/ft³ | ~1.42 tons | 2" – 3" | Walking trails, rustic courtyards, natural patios |
| River Rock (1"–3") | ~102 lbs/ft³ | ~1.38 tons | 3" – 5" | Drainage swales, dry creek beds, decorative mulch |
Assumptions & Edge-Case Limitations
- Moisture & Natural Quarry Variability: Bulk density changes significantly with water saturation. Wet or freshly washed stone can weigh 5% to 15% more than dry material. If ordering by weight during rainy seasons, confirm water deductions with your quarry.
- Uneven Sub-Grade & Spillage: Excavated sub-soil is rarely laser-flat. Depressions and border spill consume material quickly, making a 5% to 10% buffer advisable for irregular landscaping footprints.
- Finished vs. Loose Depth: Fine-aggregate materials like crusher run compact significantly. To finish at a compacted 4-inch depth, 4.5 to 5 inches of loose material must typically be spread before mechanical plate compaction.
- Excavation & Geotextile Fabric: This tool calculates aggregate only. It does not calculate subgrade excavation dirt volume, weed barrier fabric yardage, or border edging restraint lengths.
Mandatory Material Estimate Disclaimer
This calculator provides directional volume and weight estimates based on entered geometric dimensions and typical aggregate bulk densities. Actual material density, compaction ratios, and delivery minimums vary by quarry, regional stone source, moisture content, and supplier loader calibration. Always verify final delivery quantities and truck axle weight limits with your material supplier prior to placing an order.
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