Gravel Calculator
Calculate gravel volume, weight, bags, and cost by area, depth, and type. Multi-zone mode, three solve modes, waste factor built in.
The only free gravel calculator with multi-zone totaling, three solve modes, and a path from estimate to invoice. Built for driveways, paths, patios, and drainage work.
Gravel calculation finds how much stone you need by multiplying area (square feet) by depth (inches converted to feet), then converting volume to cubic yards and weight in tons using your gravel type's density. Our free gravel calculator does this instantly for any shape, supports multiple zones, and shows base vs. order quantity with waste built in.
Whether you are sizing crusher run for a new driveway, pea gravel for a garden path, or drain rock for a French drain trench, this tool handles the math so you order once and get it right. Contractors occassionally tell us the multi-zone total saved them a second truck delivery. Once you've nailed down your gravel quantities, Invoice Mama makes it easy to turn those numbers into a professional landscaping or construction invoice.
How to Calculate How Much Gravel You Need
Three steps - same workflow as the calculator above
- 1
Pick shape and gravel type
Choose rectangle, square, circle, triangle, or enter area directly. Select pea gravel, crushed stone, crusher run, or set a custom density from your supplier.
- 2
Enter dimensions and depth
Measure length, width, diameter, or base and height. Set depth in inches (default) or any unit. Toggle multi-zone mode to add driveway, walkway, and patio in one total.
- 3
Review tons, yards, bags, and cost
See cubic yards of gravel, tons of gravel per cubic yard conversion, bag count, and optional cost. Add a waste factor so your order quantity covers compaction on site.
Gravel Calculator Formulas
Every result on this page uses these equations
Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Volume (ft³) | A (ft²) × d (ft) |
| Volume (yd³) | V (ft³) ÷ 27 |
| Tons | V (yd³) × density (tons/yd³) |
| Order quantity | tons × (1 + waste factor) |
| Cost | (order qty × unit price) + delivery fee |
| Circle area | π × (diameter ÷ 2)² |
| Triangle area | ½ × base × height |
Switch to Coverage area mode when you know how many tons you are getting and want to see how far they spread at a given depth. Use Depth mode when you have a fixed pile and a measured area. No other free gravel calculator tons tool covers all three workflows in one place.
Gravel Density by Type
Typical dry densities for ordering - confirm with your supplier
Gravel type | Density | Approx. weight |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.4 tons/yd³ | 75,600 lbs/yd³ |
| Crushed stone | 1.5 tons/yd³ | 81,000 lbs/yd³ |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.6 tons/yd³ | 86,400 lbs/yd³ |
| River rock | 1.45 tons/yd³ | 78,300 lbs/yd³ |
| Limestone gravel | 1.55 tons/yd³ | 83,700 lbs/yd³ |
| Decomposed granite | 1.45 tons/yd³ | 78,300 lbs/yd³ |
Gravel Coverage by Depth Reference Chart
How much area 1 ton of crushed stone covers (1.5 tons/yd³ baseline)
Depth | Coverage (sq ft) | Coverage (sq yd) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 216 sq ft | 24.0 sq yd |
| 2 in | 108 sq ft | 12.0 sq yd |
| 3 in | 72.0 sq ft | 8.0 sq yd |
| 4 in | 54.0 sq ft | 6.0 sq yd |
| 6 in | 36.0 sq ft | 4.0 sq yd |
Coverage changes with density. Pea gravel at 1.4 tons/yd³ covers slightly more area per ton than crushed stone. Use the calculator above with your actual gravel type for precise numbers.
Recommended Gravel Depth by Project Type
Starting points for how to calculate gravel depth - adjust for soil and load
Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway | 4–8 in | Base layer plus top dressing; heavier traffic needs more depth |
| Walkway / path | 2–4 in | Decorative paths and stepping-stone surrounds |
| Patio | 3–4 in | Compacted base under pavers or flagstone |
| Landscaping bed | 2–3 in | Mulch replacement or decorative ground cover |
| Drainage / French drain | 6–12 in | French drain trench fill or dry creek bed liner |
Unit Conversion Reference
Linear dimensions convert to feet before volume math runs
Unit | To convert to feet | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | ÷ 12 | 48 in = 4 ft |
| Feet | × 1 | 10 ft = 10 ft |
| Yards | × 3 | 5 yd = 15 ft |
| Centimeters | ÷ 30.48 | 304.8 cm ≈ 10 ft |
| Meters | × 3.28084 | 3 m ≈ 9.84 ft |
Short Ton vs. Metric Tonne
Why the calculator shows both weight units
A short ton (US ton) equals 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne equals 1,000 kilograms, or about 2,204.6 pounds. That means one metric tonne is roughly 1.102 short tons. US gravel yards usually quote by the short ton or cubic yard; Canadian and European suppliers often use metric tonnes. Our calculator shows both so you can match your supplier's unit.
How Much Gravel for a Driveway
Base layer plus top dressing - worked example
A typical single-car driveway might measure 12 ft wide by 40 ft long (480 sq ft). For a proper base, you want 4 inches of crusher run (1.6 tons/yd³) compacted, then 2 inches of pea gravel or crushed stone on top.
Base layer: 480 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 160 ft³ = 5.93 yd³ × 1.6 = 9.5 tons. Top layer: 480 × (2 ÷ 12) = 80 ft³ = 2.96 yd³ × 1.5 = 4.4 tons. Total before waste: 14.9 tons. With 10% waste, order about 16.4 tons. Use multi-zone mode above to enter each layer separately and get one grand total for your driveway gravel calculator quote.
Gravel for Garden Beds and Landscaping
Decorative coverage at shallow depth
A 10 ft × 8 ft landscaping bed at 3 inches deep: area = 80 sq ft, depth = 0.25 ft, volume = 20 ft³ = 0.74 yd³. Pea gravel at 1.4 tons/yd³ = 1.04 tons. At $45/ton, material runs about $47 before delivery. Two inches is enough for weed suppression; three inches looks fuller and lasts longer without bare spots.
Walkways and Paths
Pea gravel calculator example for foot traffic
A 3 ft wide path running 30 ft long covers 90 sq ft. At 3 inches deep: 90 × 0.25 = 22.5 ft³ = 0.83 yd³. Crushed stone at 1.5 tons/yd³ = 1.25 tons. Add landscape fabric underneath and edge restraints so stone stays put. For high-traffic paths, bump depth to 4 inches and use angular crushed stone instead of round pea gravel.
Patio Base Preparation
Compacted gravel under pavers or flagstone
A 12 ft × 14 ft patio (168 sq ft) needs 4 inches of compacted crusher run before sand and pavers. Volume = 168 × (4 ÷ 12) = 56 ft³ = 2.07 yd³. At 1.6 tons/yd³ that is 3.3 tons base material. Compact in two lifts with a plate compactor. Pair this with our concrete calculator if you are pouring a slab patio instead of pavers.
French Drain and Drainage Trenches
Volume math for perforated pipe surround
A French drain 60 ft long, 12 inches wide, 18 inches deep: volume = 60 × 1 × 1.5 = 90 ft³ = 3.33 yd³. Clean river rock at 1.45 tons/yd³ = 4.8 tons. Line the trench with filter fabric, add 2 inches of stone, lay pipe, then backfill to grade. Always check local code for minimum slope and pipe diameter before you dig.
How to Add a Waste Factor for Gravel
Why base quantity and order quantity differ on your results panel
Gravel compacts 10–15% when tamped, and some material gets lost during spreading. The default 10% waste factor in our gravel cost estimator adds that buffer automatically. A 10-ton base becomes an 11-ton order. Contractors often use 12% on soft soil. DIYers on firm subgrade can sometimes get away with 8%, but ordering short is almost always more expensive than having a little extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common gravel calculator tons and coverage questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply your area in square feet by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by your gravel density (tons per cubic yard) to get weight. A 20 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 3.0 cubic yards, or roughly 4.5 tons of crushed stone at 1.5 tons/yd³.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Most residential driveways need 4–6 inches of base gravel plus 1–2 inches of top dressing. A 20 ft × 40 ft driveway at 6 inches deep covers 800 sq ft × 0.5 ft = 400 ft³, or about 14.8 cubic yards. At 1.5 tons/yd³ that is roughly 22 tons before waste. Add 10% for compaction.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
It depends on gravel type and moisture. Crushed stone averages 1.5 short tons per cubic yard, pea gravel about 1.4, and crusher run about 1.6. Multiply cubic yards by your supplier's density to convert volume to weight. One cubic yard always equals 27 cubic feet regardless of material.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of dry crushed stone weighs roughly 2,700–3,000 pounds (1.35–1.5 short tons). Pea gravel runs lighter at about 2,500–2,800 lbs/yd³. Wet gravel weighs more. Always confirm density with your local quarry or landscape yard before ordering by the ton.
How much does 1 ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton of crushed stone (1.5 tons/yd³) covers about 162 sq ft. At 3 inches, coverage drops to roughly 108 sq ft. At 4 inches, expect about 81 sq ft per ton. Divide your area by coverage per ton, or use our coverage mode to reverse the math from a known delivery size.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway vs. a garden bed?
Driveways typically need 4–8 inches total: a compacted base layer plus a surface layer. Walkways and patios use 2–4 inches. Decorative landscaping beds often need only 2–3 inches. French drains and drainage trenches need 6–12 inches of clean stone. Match depth to traffic load and drainage needs.
What is the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?
Pea gravel is smooth, rounded, and about 1/4 to 3/8 inch, ideal for paths and decorative beds. Crushed stone has angular edges that lock together when compacted, making it better for driveways and road base. Crushed stone is slightly denser (about 1.5 vs 1.4 tons/yd³) and compacts more firmly under vehicle weight.
Should I order gravel by the ton or by the cubic yard?
Order by cubic yard when you know volume from your measurements. Order by the ton when your supplier prices that way or when hauling capacity is weight-limited. Convert using density: tons = cubic yards × tons/yd³. Most US landscape yards quote both; confirm which unit your invoice uses before paying.
How much extra gravel should I order for waste and compaction?
Add 8–12% for standard projects and up to 15% for soft subgrade or heavy compaction. Gravel settles 10–15% after tamping. Running short means a second delivery at rush fees. Our calculator shows base quantity and order quantity side by side so you see exactly what to tell your supplier.
How do I calculate gravel for a French drain or drainage trench?
Measure trench length, width, and depth, then calculate volume the same as a rectangular slab. A 50 ft trench, 12 inches wide, 18 inches deep holds 75 ft³ or 2.8 cubic yards. Use clean crushed stone or river rock at 1.45–1.5 tons/yd³. Add 10% waste and confirm local code for filter fabric and pipe sizing.
Related Calculators & Tools
More free tools for landscaping and construction estimates
- Square Footage CalculatorMeasure area for any shape before you set gravel depth.
- Concrete CalculatorCubic yards and bags for slabs, pads, and patio pours.
- Decking CalculatorBoard counts and fasteners for outdoor deck projects.
- Slope CalculatorGrade percent and fall for driveways, swales, and drain runs.
- Snow Removal Pricing CalculatorPrice driveway clearing jobs by size and storm depth.
- Free Estimate MakerTurn gravel quantities into a sendable landscaping estimate.
- Invoice GeneratorBill the job with professional line items when work is done.
Invoice Mama helps landscaping and construction pros turn gravel takeoffs into professional estimates and invoices in seconds. Measure on site, send the quote before you leave.