ganak.appGravel Calculator
Estimate gravel tonnage, volume in yards, and cost for driveways, landscaping, and drainage projects. Supports pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock, limestone, and more with imperial and metric units.
Driveways, base & fill. 100 lb/ft³.
Recommended: 5–10% for gravel projects
Material price, delivery, and tax.
Includes 5% waste · 1 section
Project summary
Volume, weight, truck loads & cost at a glance
What is a Gravel Calculator?
Overview of the tool and what it helps you estimate.
A gravel calculator (also called a gravel tonnage calculator or aggregate calculator) estimates how much gravel you need for driveways, landscaping, drainage, walkways, and other construction projects. It converts your area dimensions and depth into volume, then uses gravel density to calculate weight in tons or tonnes.
Use it to answer: how much gravel do I need? Enter length, width, and depth, select your gravel type, and the calculator handles all conversions, waste factor, and optional cost estimates. Whether you need a pea gravel calculator, crushed stone calculator, or gravel driveway calculator, this tool covers all use cases in one place.
Gravel Calculation Formulas
Core formulas used for gravel tonnage and volume.
The calculator uses standard volume and weight formulas. These are the same formulas landscapers and contractors use when estimating gravel quantities.
Step 1: Calculate volume
Step 2: Convert to cubic yards
Step 3: Convert to weight
Metric equivalent
Quick rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,700–2,800 lb (1.35–1.4 tons) for most standard gravel types. Lightweight materials like lava rock weigh significantly less.
Gravel Types and Densities
How gravel type affects weight and material needs.
| Gravel Type | Density (lb/ft³) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 96 | 1,538 |
| Crushed Stone (#57) | 100 | 1,602 |
| River Rock | 96 | 1,538 |
| Bank / Pit Run Gravel | 105 | 1,682 |
| Crushed Limestone | 95 | 1,522 |
| Marble Chips | 93 | 1,490 |
| Lava Rock | 50 | 801 |
| Decomposed Granite (DG) | 100 | 1,602 |
| Slate Chips | 95 | 1,522 |
| Quartzite Gravel | 95 | 1,522 |
The calculator automatically sets the density when you choose a gravel type. You can override the density if you have a specific measurement from your supplier.
Gravel Calculator Examples
Sample projects with tonnage and volume included.
Example 1: Gravel Driveway
- 20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in deep (crushed stone)
- Volume: 50 ft³ (1.85 yd³)
- Weight: 2.63 tons (with 5% waste)
Example 2: Pea Gravel Patio
- 12 ft × 12 ft × 2 in deep (pea gravel)
- Volume: 24 ft³ (0.89 yd³)
- Weight: 1.21 tons (with 5% waste)
Example 3: French Drain
- 50 ft × 1 ft × 1.5 ft deep (crushed stone)
- Volume: 75 ft³ (2.78 yd³)
- Weight: 3.94 tons (with 5% waste)
Example 4: Landscaping Bed
- 15 ft × 4 ft × 2 in deep (river rock)
- Volume: 10 ft³ (0.37 yd³)
- Weight: 0.50 tons (with 5% waste)
Gravel Cost Guide
Typical pricing ranges by gravel type and project.
Gravel prices vary by type, region, and order quantity. Here are typical US price ranges (2025):
- Pea gravel: $25–$53 per ton (delivered)
- Crushed stone (#57): $25–$60 per ton
- River rock: $40–$80 per ton
- Decomposed granite: $25–$50 per ton
- Lava rock: $50–$120 per ton (lightweight, more volume per ton)
- Marble chips: $60–$100 per ton
Delivery fees typically range from $50–$150 depending on distance and quantity. Buying in bulk (by the truckload) is significantly cheaper per ton than bagged gravel from retail stores.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quick checklist to prevent ordering errors.
- Mixing up inches and feet for depth (3 inches is 0.25 feet, not 3 feet).
- Not accounting for settling — gravel compacts 10–15% after being placed and compacted.
- Forgetting the waste factor — always add 5–10% for spillage and uneven ground.
- Confusing tons and cubic yards — they are not interchangeable and depend on gravel density.
- Using the wrong gravel type density — lava rock weighs about half of crushed stone.
- Ordering exactly the calculated amount — always round up to avoid a second delivery charge.
Pro Tips for Gravel Ordering
Practical advice for accurate material estimates.
- Driveways typically need 3–4 inches of gravel, while landscaping beds need 2–3 inches.
- A standard triaxle dump truck holds about 25 tons of gravel.
- One ton of gravel covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep.
- For French drains, use #57 crushed stone or clean gravel for proper drainage.
- Place landscape fabric under gravel to prevent weeds and reduce settling into soil.
- Ask your supplier about minimum order quantities — some require 1-ton minimum for delivery.
- Buying in bulk (by the truckload) is significantly cheaper per ton than bagged gravel from retail stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and detailed answers