Gravel Calculator
Enter the area you're covering and how deep you want the gravel to find how much you need — in cubic yards and tons — plus an estimated cost.
Gravel is sold both by volume (cubic yards) and by weight (tons), so it helps to know both before you order. This calculator works out the volume from your area and depth, then converts it to tons using a typical gravel density, and estimates the cost if you enter a price.
How to calculate how much gravel you need
Multiply length by width to get the area, then multiply by the depth to get a volume. Convert that volume to cubic yards, and multiply by the gravel's density to get tons.
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Tons ≈ Cubic yards × 1.4
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Depth ÷ 12 | Converts inches of depth into feet to match length and width |
| ÷ 27 | There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard |
| × 1.4 | A cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 US tons |
Recommended gravel depth
The right depth depends on the job. Too shallow and the ground shows through or the stones scatter; too deep wastes material. These are common starting points.
| Use | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative / ground cover | 2 in (5 cm) |
| Pathways | 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) |
| Driveways (per layer) | 4 in (10 cm), often 2–3 layers |
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep:
| Volume = 20 × 10 × (3 ÷ 12) | 50 ft³ |
| Cubic yards = 50 ÷ 27 | 1.85 yd³ |
| Tons = 1.85 × 1.4 | 2.59 tons |
It's wise to order about 5–10% extra to allow for settling, uneven ground and compaction.