Gravel calculator
Enter the area and depth to get cubic yards and tons of gravel or crushed stone. Quarries and landscape yards sell gravel by the ton or the cubic yard.
Last updated: · Free tool by InsightSpatial
Private by design. This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you enter stays on your device. It is not uploaded to us or stored.
How it is calculated
Volume = area × depth × how many, plus the extra percentage. In US units: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, because a foot is 12 inches and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in = 200 sq ft × 0.33 ft = 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards . With 10% extra: 2.72 cubic yards , about 3.80 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard .
Gravel and crushed stone weigh about 1.3 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on the stone, size, and moisture. Ask your supplier for theirs.
Typical depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Garden paths and walkways | 2 to 3 in |
| Patio, paver, or shed base | 4 to 6 in, compacted |
| New gravel driveway | 4 to 8 in in layers, larger stone at the bottom |
| Topping up a driveway | 1 to 2 in |
Typical values. Soft or wet ground needs a thicker base.
Tips
- Gravel compacts. Add about 10% for a compacted base, more if the ground is soft.
- Weight depends on the stone. If your supplier quotes a weight per cubic yard, enter it to get tons.
- Measure an irregular driveway or path with Dipper Area Measure (a free app by InsightSpatial), then choose "Known area" here.
Questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for typical gravel or crushed stone, with a range of roughly 1.3 to 1.7 tons depending on the stone and moisture.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth. A 50 ft × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 6.2 cubic yards, roughly 8.6 tons at 1.4 tons per yard, before extra for compaction.
How deep should gravel be?
Paths are usually 2 to 3 inches deep; patio and shed bases 4 to 6 inches compacted; new driveways 4 to 8 inches in layers.