Gravel Calculator
Get cubic yards, tons, and cost for driveways, paths, and drainage — pea gravel, crushed stone, sand, or river rock.
How to use the gravel calculator
- 1
Choose your material — pea gravel, crushed stone, sand, or river rock.
- 2
Select Rectangle or Circular, then enter your area's dimensions.
- 3
Pick a depth preset (2", 3", or 4") or enter a custom depth, plus a waste factor.
- 4
Your tons, cubic yards, bags, and estimated cost appear instantly and update as you adjust any field.
How much gravel do I need? The tonnage formula
Gravel is measured by volume for delivery but sold by weight, so an accurate estimate needs both numbers. Here's how the calculator gets from your area to tons:
- Area = length × width (or π × radius² for a circular area)
- Volume in cubic feet = area × depth (in feet — divide inches by 12 first)
- Cubic yards = volume in cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × the selected material's density (tons per cubic yard)
Worked example: A 10 ft × 10 ft path at 3 inches deep has an area of 100 sq ft and a depth of 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft, giving a volume of 100 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet. Adding a 10% waste factor brings it to 27.5 cubic feet, or 27.5 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.02 cubic yards. For pea gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that's 1.02 × 1.4 ≈ 1.43 tons — or 55 bags at 0.5 cu ft each.
Gravel density quick reference
| Material | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | ≈1.4 tons |
| Crushed stone | ≈1.6 tons |
| Sand | ≈1.5 tons |
| River rock | ≈1.3 tons |
Densities vary by moisture content and exact material — these are standard landscaping reference values. For precise bulk orders, confirm the density with your supplier.
Pouring a slab or laying mulch instead of loose gravel? Try the Concrete, Mulch & Topsoil Calculator →
Frequently asked questions
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