Construction & Home
Gravel Calculator
How much gravel do you need? Enter your area and depth and this calculator returns cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons, whichever way your supplier sells it. Works for driveways, paths, and landscape beds.
Quick answer
Volume is based on area and depth.
What this tells you
- •Volume is based on area and depth.
- •Weight is estimated from material density.
- •Waste allowance helps prevent material shortage.
How to Use
- 1Enter length and width in feet.
- 2Enter depth in inches.
- 3Set gravel density (lb/ft3) if known.
- 4Add optional waste percentage.
- 5Calculate to get volume and estimated tons.
How It Works
Formula
Cubic Feet = Length x Width x Depth(ft)
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
Weight(lb) = Cubic Feet with waste x Density
Weight(tons) = Weight(lb) / 2000The calculator converts volume to weight using density, then converts pounds to tons for ordering.
Calculation note: values are processed in the order shown above, using the current input units.
Worked Examples
Driveway gravel estimate
Length20 ft
Width10 ft
Depth4 in
Density105 lb/ft3
Waste10%
Result2.72 yd3 with waste, about 3.85 tons
Gravel Coverage Per Ton
Approximate area one ton of gravel covers at common depths, assuming a typical density of 105 lb per cubic foot.
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | about 110 sq ft | 0.9 tons |
| 3 inches | about 75 sq ft | 1.3 tons |
| 4 inches | about 55 sq ft | 1.8 tons |
| 6 inches | about 38 sq ft | 2.7 tons |
Coverage varies with gravel type and compaction. Crushed stone and pea gravel run roughly 95-110 lb per cubic foot.
Common mistakes
- Using wrong gravel density
- Ignoring waste and compaction allowances
- Mixing inches and feet for depth
Frequently Asked Questions
A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) at a typical density of 105 lb per cubic foot. Depending on the material, expect 1.3-1.5 tons per cubic yard. Ask your supplier for the exact figure for their stone.
A 10 x 20 ft driveway section at 4 inches deep needs about 67 cubic feet, which is 2.5 cubic yards or roughly 3.5 tons of gravel. Driveways are often built in two or three compacted layers, so calculate each layer's depth separately.
One ton of gravel covers about 110 square feet at 2 inches deep, 75 square feet at 3 inches, or 55 square feet at 4 inches, assuming a typical density of 105 lb per cubic foot.
A common estimate is around 95-110 lb/ft3 depending on gravel type. Pea gravel and crushed stone sit near the middle of that range, so use 105 lb/ft3 if you are unsure.
Suppliers may quote either, and this tool provides both. As a rule of thumb, multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to estimate tons for typical gravel.
Yes, adding 5-10% is common to cover compaction, settling, and uneven ground.
It estimates gravel calculator outputs using the visible inputs and formula assumptions on this page.