Gravel Calculator
Enter your area and depth to see exactly how much gravel you need — in cubic yards, tons, and bags — with the formula and density shown so you can trust the number.
You need · incl. +10% extra
- Cubic feet
- 18.33 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 0.52 m³
- Pounds
- 2,037 lb
- Kilograms
- 924 kg
- Area
- 100 ft²
- Exact volume
- 0.62 yd³
- Density
- 1.5 t/yd³
- Bag size
- 0.5 ft³ bag
Order about 10% extra to cover compaction, uneven subgrade, and spillage. Bump it to 15% for a long driveway or a rough, sloped site.
Decorative beds and paths: 2–3 in. Driveways: 4–6 in total, usually in 2–3 in compacted lifts over a base layer.
The formula & constants
Volume = Area × Depth. Convert to cubic yards (1 yd³ = 27 ft³), then Tons = Cubic yards × Density (gravel ≈ 1.5 tons/yd³).
| Gravel density (working value) | 1.5 tons/yd³ |
| Typical range | 1.4–1.7 tons/yd³ |
| Cubic-yard conversion | 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ |
| Recommended overage | +10% |
Gravel subtypes & their densities
| Subtype | Density |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.4 tons/yd³ |
| #57 stone | 1.4 tons/yd³ |
| Crushed stone / crusher run | 1.5 tons/yd³ |
| River rock | 1.6 tons/yd³ |
Source: Typical dry gravel bulk density (~1.4–1.7 tons/yd³), per Inch Calculator. Densities vary with moisture and compaction — the weight figure is an estimate.
How much gravel do you need?
Gravel is sold both by the cubic yard (bulk, delivered by the truckload) and by the bag. For anything bigger than a small bed, bulk is far cheaper per unit — most yards have a one-yard minimum and a delivery fee. Use the tons figure when you call a supplier; use the bag count only for small top-ups.
Depth matters more than people expect. A driveway at 2 inches will rut; it needs 4–6 inches built up over a compacted base, ideally placed in two or three lifts. A decorative bed or walking path, by contrast, only needs 2–3 inches over landscape fabric. The calculator defaults to 2 inches — set it to your real depth before ordering.
Density varies by gravel type, moisture, and how well it is compacted, which is why the tons figure is an estimate, not a guarantee. We use ~1.5 tons per cubic yard for general gravel; pea gravel and #57 stone run a little lighter (~1.4), river rock a little heavier (~1.6). Pick the closest subtype if your supplier quotes by weight.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?+
Multiply your area (length × width, in feet) by your depth in feet, which gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For weight, multiply cubic yards by about 1.5 to get US tons. The calculator does all of this live as you type — just enter your dimensions and depth.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?+
Roughly 0.67 cubic yards per ton, because gravel weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Put another way, one cubic yard of typical gravel weighs around 1.4–1.7 tons depending on the stone type and moisture.
How many bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?+
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 54 of the common 0.5 ft³ bags. Because bagged gravel costs several times more per cubic yard than bulk, bags only make sense for small projects or top-ups.
How deep should gravel be?+
For decorative beds and walking paths, 2–3 inches is enough. For a driveway, build up 4–6 inches total over a compacted base, placed in 2–3 inch lifts so it compacts properly. Going too shallow on a driveway causes rutting and bare spots.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?+
About 1.4 to 1.7 US tons (roughly 2,800–3,400 lb), depending on the gravel type and how wet it is. We use 1.5 tons per cubic yard as a general working figure.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cover?+
One cubic yard covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Coverage halves as you double the depth — set your real depth in the calculator to see the exact area.
Should I order extra gravel?+
Yes. Order about 10% more than the exact volume to cover compaction, an uneven subgrade, and spillage. For a long driveway or a rough, sloped site, 15% is safer. The calculator includes a recommended-overage line you can adjust.
What is the difference between gravel sold by the yard and by the ton?+
They measure the same material two ways — volume (cubic yards) versus weight (tons). Suppliers often quote landscape gravel by the yard and crushed stone by the ton. The calculator shows both so you can match whatever your yard uses.
Does pea gravel weigh the same as crushed stone?+
Not quite. Pea gravel and #57 stone are a little lighter (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard) because the rounded, uniform stones leave more air gaps. Crusher run and river rock are heavier. Choose the subtype that matches your material for a closer weight estimate.
How do I calculate gravel for a circular or irregular area?+
Switch the shape selector to Circle and enter the diameter, or to Triangle for a wedge. For an L-shaped area, use the L-shape option and enter the outer footprint plus the rectangular notch to subtract. The math updates instantly for each shape.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?+
Measure the driveway length and width in feet, set the depth to 4–6 inches, and read the tons figure — that is what most suppliers quote driveways in. A typical 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches needs roughly 2.5 cubic yards (about 3.7 tons) before overage.
Is this gravel calculator free and private?+
Yes. It is completely free, requires no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server or stored. Refresh the page and it is gone.