Gravel Calculator
Calculate the volume and weight of gravel needed for any area. Enter your dimensions and gravel type to get cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, and bag count instantly.
Planning a larger pour? Try the Concrete Calculator →
This gravel calculator takes the guesswork out of ordering landscape and construction gravel. Whether you're planning a driveway, a garden path, a drainage bed, or a backfill project, enter your area's length, width, and depth along with the gravel type to instantly get the volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, the estimated weight in tons, and the number of 0.5 cubic foot bags needed. Densities vary by material — crushed stone is heavier than pea gravel or river rock — so selecting the right type gives you a more accurate weight estimate when placing your order.
How to Use the Gravel Calculator
- Enter the length and width of your area in feet.
- Enter the desired depth in inches (not feet).
- Select your gravel type from the dropdown — this affects the weight calculation.
- Click "Calculate Gravel" to see cubic feet, cubic yards, estimated tons, and bag count.
- Add 10–15% extra when ordering bulk gravel to account for compaction and waste.
Gravel Calculation Example
A standard 10-foot by 20-foot driveway covered with standard gravel at 4 inches deep:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume | 66.67 cubic feet |
| Cubic yards | 2.47 cu yd |
| Estimated weight | 3.46 tons |
| Bags needed | 134 bags (0.5 cu ft each) |
At this volume, ordering bulk gravel by the ton from a landscape supplier is far more cost-effective than purchasing 134 individual bags. Bagged gravel makes sense for small accent areas and borders; bulk delivery is the right choice for driveways, paths, and larger coverage areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Gravel driveways should be at least 4 inches deep for light passenger vehicles. For heavy vehicles, trucks, or areas with poor drainage, 6 inches is recommended. Going shallower than 4 inches leads to rutting and gravel displacement over time. Most contractors layer gravel in two passes — a base layer of larger crushed stone topped with a finer surface layer.
How many tons of gravel do I need for my driveway?
Use this formula: tons = Length × Width × (Depth in inches / 12) / 27 × density. For standard gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a 10×20 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs 10 × 20 × (4/12) / 27 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons. Enter your exact dimensions into the calculator above to get a precise number for your specific gravel type.
What is the difference between cubic yards and tons when ordering gravel?
Cubic yards measure volume — how much space the gravel physically occupies. Tons measure weight. Landscape suppliers may quote prices in either unit, so it helps to know both. To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply by the density of your gravel: standard gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, crushed stone is about 1.5 tons per cubic yard, and pea gravel or river rock is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
One cubic yard of standard gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons, or about 2,800 pounds. Crushed stone is heavier at roughly 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs) per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock are lighter at around 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs) per cubic yard. Weight varies by moisture content and particle size, so treat these figures as estimates and confirm with your supplier before placing a large order.
How many bags of gravel equal a cubic yard?
It takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic foot bagged gravel to equal one cubic yard (27 cubic feet ÷ 0.5 cu ft per bag = 54 bags). Bagged gravel is convenient for small areas, borders, and spot repairs, but for anything over 2–3 cubic yards, ordering bulk gravel by the ton from a landscape supplier is significantly more cost-effective and far less labor-intensive.