Gravel Calculator – Estimate Gravel Volume & Weight for Any Project
Our free gravel calculator helps you quickly estimate the volume and weight of gravel needed for driveways, garden paths, landscaping beds, and any other construction project. Simply enter your area dimensions, desired depth, and gravel type to get instant results in cubic yards, tons, and pounds. You can also add a price per ton to calculate your total material cost.
Enter the length of the area to be covered.
Enter the width of the area to be covered.
Typical driveway depth is 3–4 inches; paths need 2–3 inches.
Different gravel types have different densities.
Enter a custom density in US tons per cubic yard.
Enter the cost per US ton to estimate total material cost.
Your results will appear here
How to Use This Calculator
1. Enter the length and width of the area you need to cover in feet. 2. Enter the desired depth of gravel in inches (typically 2–4 inches for paths and 4–6 inches for driveways). 3. Select the type of gravel from the dropdown — each type has a preset density, or choose 'Custom density' and enter your own. 4. Optionally enter the price per US ton to get a cost estimate. 5. Your results — volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, weight in tons and pounds, and estimated cost — will appear instantly below.
How the Gravel Calculator Works
The calculator uses three straightforward steps: compute the volume of the area, convert it to cubic yards, then multiply by the gravel density to find the weight.
Step 1 – Calculate Volume
Volume is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and depth of the area. Because depth is entered in inches, it is first converted to feet:
- Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth (in) ÷ 12)
- Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
Step 2 – Calculate Weight
Once you have the volume in cubic yards, multiply by the density of your chosen gravel type:
- Weight (US tons) = Volume (yd³) × Density (t/yd³)
- Weight (lbs) = Weight (tons) × 2,000
Step 3 – Estimate Cost
If you provide a price per ton, the total material cost is simply:
- Cost = Weight (tons) × Price per ton
Common Gravel Densities
- Pea Gravel: ~1.4 US tons per cubic yard
- Crushed Stone: ~1.5 US tons per cubic yard
- Base Gravel / Crusher Run: ~1.75 US tons per cubic yard
- Lava Rock: ~0.9 US tons per cubic yard
- Pea Shingle: ~1.35 US tons per cubic yard
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
As a general rule of thumb, a 2-inch layer is suitable for decorative garden beds, a 3-inch layer works well for footpaths, and a 4–6 inch layer is recommended for driveways that will bear vehicle traffic. Always order around 10–15% extra to account for compaction and spillage.