Gravel Calculator
Estimate how much gravel you need in cubic yards and tons, with an estimated cost.
Results
| Item | Value |
|---|
Quick Answer
Multiply length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the gravel’s weight per cubic yard. For a 20 ft by 10 ft area, 3 inches deep, you need 1.85 cubic yards, or about 2.59 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
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Table of Contents
- Gravel Calculator
- Quick Answer
- Related Calculators
- How This Gravel Calculator Works
- How to Use the Gravel Calculator
- Core Formulas
- Worked Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Bulk Gravel vs Bagged Gravel
- Gravel Needed by Area and Depth
- Planning Your Order
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References & Sources
How This Gravel Calculator Works
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. This calculator works out the volume of your area, then converts it using a weight you can change. It works for rectangular and circular areas.
Quick explanation: Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27.
- Depth: enter inches, and the calculator converts them to feet.
- Gravel weight: 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a common estimate.
- Price: optional, for a quick cost estimate.
How to Use the Gravel Calculator
- Choose a rectangle or circle for the area you want to cover.
- Enter the length and width, or the diameter, in feet.
- Enter the depth in inches.
- Check the gravel weight with your supplier, or keep 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
- Add a price per ton if you want a cost, then press Calculate.
Core Formulas
- Rectangle area: length × width
- Circle area: π × diameter² ÷ 4
- Volume (cu ft): area × depth in inches ÷ 12
- Cubic yards: cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons: cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
Published figures for pea gravel are around 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and crushed stone often ranges from about 1.35 to 1.8. A yard of gravel can weigh between 2,400 and 3,000 lb depending on stone, size and moisture.
Worked Example
You want to cover a circular area 10 ft across, 4 inches deep.
- Area = 3.1416 × 10² ÷ 4 = 78.5 sq ft
- Volume = 78.5 × 4 ÷ 12 = 26.2 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 26.2 ÷ 27 = 0.97 cu yd
- Weight = 0.97 × 1.4 = 1.36 tons
Real-Life Examples
- A driveway: 60 ft by 12 ft at 4 inches deep is 8.89 cubic yards, or about 12.4 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
- A garden path: 40 ft by 3 ft at 3 inches deep is 1.11 cubic yards, about 1.56 tons. Small jobs like this may be easier with bags.
- A shed base: 10 ft by 12 ft at 4 inches deep is 1.48 cubic yards, about 2.07 tons.
- Two layers: for a base of coarse stone and a top layer, run the calculator once for each depth and add the results.
Bulk Gravel vs Bagged Gravel
- Bulk: sold by the ton or cubic yard and delivered by truck. Usually cheaper for large areas, but delivery fees and minimum orders apply.
- Bags: easy to carry and store, and good for small jobs. Check the volume on the bag, as sizes vary.
- Rule of thumb: once you need more than about a cubic yard, compare a bulk delivery quote with the cost of bags.
Gravel Needed by Area and Depth
Tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.86 tons | 1.30 tons | 1.73 tons |
| 250 sq ft | 2.16 tons | 3.24 tons | 4.32 tons |
| 500 sq ft | 4.32 tons | 6.48 tons | 8.64 tons |
| 750 sq ft | 6.48 tons | 9.72 tons | 12.96 tons |
| 1,000 sq ft | 8.64 tons | 12.96 tons | 17.28 tons |
Planning Your Order
- Depth: paths and driveways usually need different depths, so check what suits your project.
- Settling: loose gravel packs down over time, so allow a little extra.
- Base layers: driveways often use a coarser stone below the top layer.
- Delivery: many suppliers add a delivery fee or a minimum order.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering depth in feet. This calculator expects inches.
- Ordering exactly the minimum. Gravel settles, so a little extra is sensible.
- Skipping ground preparation. Clear and level the area, and consider landscape fabric to slow weeds.
- Using round stone on slopes. Rounded pea gravel moves more easily than angular crushed stone.
- Forgetting the delivery fee. Add it before you compare bulk with bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply length, width and depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply by about 1.4 for tons.
About 1.4 tons is a common estimate, but it can range from about 1.2 to 1.5 tons or more depending on the stone and moisture.
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton covers about 77 square feet at 3 inches deep.
It depends on the project. Check guidance for your project, because a path and a driveway need different depths.
A little extra is sensible to allow for settling, uneven ground and waste. Ask your supplier what they suggest.
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards.
Angular crushed stone usually packs down better than round stone. Ask a local supplier what suits your soil and traffic.
It is optional, but it can help slow weeds and stop gravel mixing into the soil.
References & Sources
| Source | Used For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Hunker, How to convert yards to tons in gravel | Conversion from cubic yards to tons. | https://www.hunker.com/12521292/how-to-convert-yards-to-tons-in-gravel/ |
| Hello Gravel, How much does a yard of gravel weigh | Typical weights per cubic yard. | https://hellogravel.com/posts/how-much-does-a-yard-of-gravel-weigh |