How do I calculate how much gravel I need?

Measure the length, width, and depth of your project area. Multiply them together to get volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. To get weight in tons, multiply volume (ft³) by gravel density (typically 96–105 lb/ft³) and divide by 2,000. This calculator does all conversions automatically.

How do you calculate yards of gravel?

Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For example, a 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 3 inches deep (0.25 ft) = 50 ft³ ÷ 27 ≈ 1.85 yd³ before waste. Always add 5–10% waste for compaction and spillage, which brings it to about 2 yd³. The calculator handles this automatically — just enter your dimensions and depth.

How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

A typical single-car driveway (20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in deep) needs about 2.5–2.8 tons of crushed stone with 5% waste. A two-car driveway (40 ft × 20 ft × 3 in) needs about 10–11 tons. Enter your exact dimensions for a precise estimate.

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

It depends on the gravel type. Most standard gravel weighs 1.35–1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock are about 1.30 tons/yd³, while bank gravel is about 1.42 tons/yd³. Lava rock is much lighter at about 0.67 tons/yd³.

How much area does 1 ton of gravel cover?

At 2 inches deep, 1 ton of standard gravel (like crushed stone) covers approximately 100 square feet. At 3 inches deep, it covers about 67 square feet. Coverage varies by gravel type and depth.

What is the best gravel for driveways?

Crushed stone (#57) is the most popular driveway gravel. It compacts well and provides good drainage. For the base layer, use #3 or #4 stone, and top with #57 crushed stone. Decomposed granite is another popular option for a more natural look. Avoid rounded gravel like pea gravel for driveway surfaces — it doesn't lock together and shifts under vehicle tires.

Should I add extra for waste when ordering gravel?

Yes. Add 5–10% for waste from uneven ground, spillage, and compaction. The calculator defaults to 5% waste, which you can adjust. For irregular or sloped areas, consider adding 10% or more.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

For a residential gravel driveway, 3–4 inches is the recommended depth. A total depth of 6–8 inches is common when including a 3–4 inch base layer of larger stone (#3 or #4) topped with 3 inches of #57 crushed stone. For heavy-use driveways or clay soil, go deeper. Always excavate to the recommended depth, lay landscape fabric, and compact each layer for maximum stability.

How much gravel should go under a concrete slab?

For a concrete slab (patio, shed floor, or garage), use 4–6 inches of compacted gravel as a sub-base. Crushed stone (#57 or #5) works best — it drains well and provides a stable base. For a 10 ft × 10 ft slab, 4 inches of gravel = 33.3 ft³ (≈ 1.23 yd³) and weighs about 1.67 tons. Use the calculator with 4–6 inches depth for an exact estimate.

How deep should gravel be for landscaping?

For decorative landscaping beds: 2–3 inches. For walkways: 2–3 inches. For driveways: 3–4 inches minimum (often 6–8 inches with a base layer). For French drains: 12–18 inches depending on drainage needs.

What is the difference between gravel and crushed stone?

Gravel is naturally rounded from weathering and water erosion. Crushed stone is mechanically broken and has angular, rough edges. Crushed stone compacts better and is preferred for driveways and base layers. Rounded gravel (like pea gravel) is better for decorative use and walkways.

How much does a truck load of gravel cost?

A standard triaxle dump truck holds about 25 tons. At $25–$60 per ton for crushed stone, a full truckload costs $625–$1,500 plus delivery (typically $50–$150). Pricing varies by gravel type, region, and supplier.

Gravel Calculator

Driveways, base & fill. 100 lb/ft³.

Units

Length & width unit

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth unit

Depth (in)

Sections

Waste / overage

Recommended: 5–10% for gravel projects

Cost estimate

Material price, delivery, and tax.

Crushed Stone (#57)

Includes 5% waste · 1 section

Total weight needed

2.63tons

2.63 tons2.38 tonnes5,250 lb

How this is calculated▸

Volume

20 ft × 10 ft × 0.25 ft = 50 ft³

With waste & sections

× 1 sections × 1.05 (waste) = 52.5 ft³

Weight

52.5 ft³ × 100 lb/ft³ ÷ 2000 = 2.63 tons

Project summary

Volume, weight, truck loads & cost at a glance

Volume

1.94 yd³

52.5 ft³ · 1.49 m³

Weight

5,250 lb(2,381 kg)

Truck loads

Based on 25-ton triaxle dump truck (0.1 loads)

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.

10 Gravel Types

Each with real density data

Depth Presets

Driveway, patio & more

Weight in Tons

Tons, tonnes & pounds

Truck Loads

25-ton triaxle estimate

How to Calculate How Much Gravel You Need

Four simple steps to estimate gravel for any project

Measure your area

Measure the length and width of your project area. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and add the sections together. Use the Sections control for multiple identical areas.

Choose your depth

Select from common depth presets — Driveway (3 in), Walkway/Patio (2 in), Landscaping (2 in), or French drain (18 in). Or type a custom depth. Depth can use its own unit (inches or cm) independent of length and width.

Pick your gravel type

Choose from 10 gravel types including pea gravel, crushed stone (#57), river rock, and lava rock. Each type auto-loads the correct density. You can override density if your supplier provides a specific value.

Add waste and optional cost

Toggle waste on (default 5%) to account for spillage and compaction — 5–10% is recommended. Optionally enable the cost estimate to enter price per ton, delivery cost, and tax rate for a full budget breakdown.

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-by-step calculation

Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)

Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Weight (tons) = Volume (ft³) × Density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000

Metric equivalent

Weight (tonnes) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000

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 & Densities

How gravel type affects weight and material needs

Pea Gravel

Landscaping, paths & drainage.

96 lb/ft³1538 kg/m³

Crushed Stone (#57)

Driveways, base & fill.

100 lb/ft³1602 kg/m³

River Rock

Decorative, dry creek beds.

96 lb/ft³1538 kg/m³

Bank / Pit Run Gravel

Road base & backfill.

105 lb/ft³1682 kg/m³

Crushed Limestone

Driveways, walkways & patios.

95 lb/ft³1522 kg/m³

Marble Chips

Decorative landscaping.

93 lb/ft³1490 kg/m³

Lava Rock

Lightweight decorative ground cover.

50 lb/ft³801 kg/m³

Decomposed Granite (DG)

Paths, patios & xeriscaping.

100 lb/ft³1602 kg/m³

Slate Chips

Mulch alternative, decorative.

95 lb/ft³1522 kg/m³

Quartzite Gravel

Driveways & decorative use.

95 lb/ft³1522 kg/m³

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

Gravel Driveway

20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in deep (crushed stone)
1.85 yd³ (50 ft³ base)
2.63 tons (with 5% waste)

Pea Gravel Patio

12 ft × 12 ft × 2 in deep (pea gravel)
0.89 yd³ (24 ft³ base)
1.21 tons (with 5% waste)

French Drain

50 ft × 1 ft × 1.5 ft deep (crushed stone)
2.78 yd³ (75 ft³ base)
3.94 tons (with 5% waste)

Landscaping Bed

15 ft × 4 ft × 2 in deep (river rock)
0.37 yd³ (10 ft³ base)
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 units for depth

3 inches is 0.25 feet, not 3 feet. Use the built-in depth unit toggle (in/cm) to avoid manual conversions.

Not accounting for settling

Gravel compacts 10–15% after being placed. Add extra to compensate for compaction over time.

Forgetting the waste factor

Always add 5–10% for spillage and uneven ground. The calculator defaults to 5% — adjust it for sloped or irregular areas.

Confusing tons and cubic yards

They are not interchangeable and depend on gravel density. Lava rock weighs half of crushed stone per yard.

Using wrong density

Each gravel type has a specific density. Lava rock is ~50 lb/ft³, while bank gravel is ~105 lb/ft³ — a 2× difference.

Ordering exact calculated amount

Always round up to avoid a second delivery charge. Suppliers may have minimum order quantities.

Pro Tips for Gravel Ordering

Practical advice for accurate material estimates

Driveway depth

Driveways need 3–4 inches. Use 6–8 inches total with a base layer of larger stone (#3 or #4) for heavy-use driveways or clay soil.

Truck capacity

A standard triaxle dump truck holds about 25 tons of gravel. The calculator shows truck load estimates based on this typical capacity.

Coverage per ton

One ton of gravel covers roughly 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep. Adjust expectations for different depths or lighter materials like lava rock.

French drain gravel

Use #57 crushed stone or clean gravel for proper drainage. Avoid pea gravel — it compacts too tightly and restricts water flow.

Use landscape fabric

Place fabric under gravel to prevent weeds and reduce settling into soil. It also keeps your gravel layer separate from the dirt below.

Check minimum orders

Ask your supplier about minimum order quantities — some require 1-ton minimum for delivery. Bulk orders (by the truckload) get the best per-ton price.

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

First calculate volume in cubic feet (length × width × depth), then multiply by the gravel density (lb/ft³) and divide by 2,000 to get tons. For most standard gravel types, density ranges from 96–105 lb/ft³. Formula: Tons = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft × Density lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000. The calculator does this for you — select your gravel type for the correct density, or override it for supplier-specific density.

Pea gravel is commonly used for patios, walkways, and landscaping at 2–3 inches deep. At 2 inches deep, 1 ton of pea gravel covers about 120–130 sq ft. For a 12 ft × 12 ft (144 sq ft) patio at 2 inches deep, you need about 1.2 tons with 5% waste. Select Pea Gravel from the gravel type dropdown and enter your dimensions — the calculator automatically uses density of 96 lb/ft³ (1,538 kg/m³).

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Last updated Jul 10, 2026

Gravel Calculator

Project summary

What Is a Gravel Calculator?

How to Calculate How Much Gravel You Need

Measure your area

Choose your depth

Pick your gravel type

Add waste and optional cost

Gravel Calculation Formulas

Gravel Types & Densities

Pea Gravel

Crushed Stone (#57)

River Rock

Bank / Pit Run Gravel

Crushed Limestone

Marble Chips

Lava Rock

Decomposed Granite (DG)

Slate Chips

Quartzite Gravel

Gravel Calculator Examples

Gravel Cost Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing up units for depth

Not accounting for settling

Forgetting the waste factor

Confusing tons and cubic yards

Using wrong density

Ordering exact calculated amount

Pro Tips for Gravel Ordering

Driveway depth

Truck capacity

Coverage per ton

French drain gravel

Use landscape fabric

Check minimum orders

Frequently Asked Questions

Embed Gravel Calculator

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