Gravel Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards or tons of gravel you need. Enter area dimensions and depth to get volume with compaction factor, plus material type selection guide.
ft
ft
in
$/ton
Enter your values above to see the results.
Tips & Notes
- ✓Order gravel in tons rather than cubic yards when possible — weight is a more precise measurement than volume because gravel volume can vary significantly based on how it is loaded and transported.
- ✓Add 10–15% to your calculated volume for compaction loss on driveways and base applications — loose gravel compacts significantly under roller or traffic pressure.
- ✓Install landscape fabric under decorative gravel to prevent weed growth and material mixing with soil — gravel without fabric eventually migrates downward into the soil and requires replacement within 3–5 years.
- ✓For driveways, use dense-grade aggregate (also called crusher run or road base) rather than round pea gravel or river rock — angular crushed stone locks together under traffic while round stone shifts and ruts.
- ✓Request delivery of gravel in the morning so you have a full day to spread and compact before rain — loose gravel is difficult to work wet and rain can redistribute a freshly delivered pile significantly.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Confusing cubic yards and tons when ordering — if you calculate 5 cubic yards but the supplier prices by the ton, ask for the conversion for the specific material you want before ordering.
- ✗Using decorative round pea gravel for a driveway — round stone does not compact or interlock and shifts under vehicle traffic, creating ruts and washboard texture within weeks.
- ✗Not adding compaction factor to the order — ordering exactly the calculated volume for a driveway base leaves you 10–15% short after compaction, forcing a second delivery.
- ✗Installing gravel directly on soft or clay soil without a geotextile fabric base — gravel on soft soil migrates downward and mixes with the soil over time, requiring replacement within 5–10 years.
- ✗Ordering all material at once without checking vehicle access — a 10-yard gravel delivery requires a tri-axle dump truck that needs at least 14 feet of clearance height and a firm surface to exit without getting stuck.
Gravel Calculator Overview
Gravel and crushed stone are sold by weight (tons) or by volume (cubic yards), and the conversion between the two depends on the material type — a critical detail that causes the most common ordering mistakes. A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons, while a cubic yard of dense-grade aggregate can weigh 1.6–1.8 tons. Always confirm with your supplier which unit they use for pricing and delivery before calculating quantities.
Volume formula for gravel base:
Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) | Convert to cubic yards: divide ft³ by 27
EX: Driveway 60 ft × 12 ft at 4 inches deep → Volume = 60 × 12 × (4÷12) = 240 ft³ ÷ 27 = 8.89 yd³ → Add 10% compaction factor = 9.8 yd³ → Order 10 yd³Gravel types and their applications — coverage and weight per cubic yard:
| Gravel Type | Size | Weight per yd³ | Best Application | Depth Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | ⅜ in | ~1.4 tons | Pathways, decorative, drainage | 2–3 in |
| Crushed stone (#57) | ¾ in | ~1.5 tons | Driveways, drainage beds | 4–6 in |
| Dense-grade aggregate | ¾ in minus | ~1.7 tons | Driveway base, compactable sub-base | 4–6 in |
| Decomposed granite | Fine | ~1.5 tons | Pathways, xeriscape, parking areas | 3–4 in |
| River rock (1–3 in) | 1–3 in | ~1.35 tons | Decorative landscaping, drainage swales | 3–4 in |
| Rip rap | 4–12 in | ~1.6 tons | Erosion control, channel lining | 12–18 in |
| Application | Recommended Depth | Material Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decorative pathway | 2–3 inches | Pea gravel or river rock | Edging required to contain |
| Garden bed drainage | 3–4 inches | Crushed stone #57 | Top with landscape fabric |
| Residential driveway | 4–6 inches | Dense-grade aggregate | Compact in 2-inch lifts |
| Driveway base layer | 6–8 inches | Crushed limestone | Under asphalt or concrete |
| French drain | 12+ inches | Washed stone #57 | Surround perforated pipe |
| Septic leach field | 12–18 inches | Washed gravel | Engineered design required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Calculate cubic yards first: Length × Width × Depth (in feet) ÷ 27. For a 60 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4-inch depth: 60 × 12 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 8.9 yd³. Add 10% compaction = 9.8 yd³. Convert to tons using the material weight: for dense-grade aggregate at 1.7 tons/yd³: 9.8 × 1.7 = 16.7 tons. A typical residential driveway (60 × 12 ft at 4 inches) requires approximately 15–20 tons of base material.
Pea gravel is smooth and rounded from water erosion — it does not compact or interlock, making it suitable for decorative pathways, drainage beds, and playgrounds but not driveways or structural bases. Crushed stone is angular and jagged from mechanical crushing — the irregular edges lock together under pressure, making it compact into a stable surface ideal for driveways and structural bases. Always use crushed or angular stone for any load-bearing application.
A residential driveway for passenger vehicles requires a minimum of 4 inches of compacted dense-grade aggregate. For areas with soft or clay soil: 6 inches. For light truck or RV traffic: 6 inches minimum, 8 inches recommended. Install in maximum 2-inch lifts and compact each layer before adding the next — compacting 6 inches of loose gravel all at once produces a poorly consolidated base compared to compacting three 2-inch layers.
Coverage depends on depth. One ton of pea gravel (approximately 0.71 yd³) at 2-inch depth covers approximately 96 sq ft. At 3-inch depth: 64 sq ft. For crushed stone at 4-inch depth: one ton covers approximately 50–55 sq ft. Most suppliers provide a coverage table for their specific material on request — ask for the coverage per ton at your intended depth rather than calculating from generic averages.
Yes — uncompacted gravel shifts under vehicle traffic, creating ruts and an uneven surface within weeks. Compact with a plate compactor (rental: $50–100/day) in maximum 2-inch lifts. Wet the gravel slightly before compacting — moisture helps particles lock together. Dense-grade aggregate compacts to approximately 85–90% of its loose volume. After compaction, the surface should show no movement when you walk across it; any shifting indicates insufficient compaction.
Yes — gravel driveways are a permanent, low-maintenance solution commonly used in rural and semi-rural areas. Typical lifespan: 5–10 years before needing a 1-2 inch top-dressing to replenish material lost to traffic and erosion. Annual maintenance involves regrading to push material back from the edges and refilling potholes. Gravel driveways cost $1–3 per sq ft installed vs. $3–7 for asphalt and $6–12 for concrete — the ongoing maintenance cost is offset by the dramatically lower initial investment.