Gravel Calculator

1. Choose your area method. Select "Rectangle" for standard driveways and patios, "Circle" for fire pit rings and tree surrounds, or "Known area" if you already calculated the square footage. For irregular shapes, split the project into sections and enter the combined area as a known value.
2. Enter your dimensions. Measure length and width in feet for rectangles, or diameter for circles. For driveways, measure the longest straight run and the average width. If one section is wider than another, calculate each separately and add the areas.
3. Enter gravel depth in inches. Use 2 to 3 inches for decorative landscape beds, 4 inches for walkways and patios, and 6 to 8 inches for driveways with vehicle traffic. Measure depth after grading, not before, because low spots add volume that a single measurement misses.
4. Select a gravel type. Each type has a different density that affects tonnage. Pea gravel and #57 stone average 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Crushed stone averages 1.5. River rock and crusher run are heavier at 1.6 tons per cubic yard. If your supplier quotes a specific density, choose "Custom density" and enter their number.
5. Set a waste and compaction buffer. Use 10% for most projects. Increase to 15% or 20% for uneven ground, compacted base layers, or areas where spreading loss is likely. Skip the buffer only for small decorative beds on flat, graded surfaces.
6. Add price and truck capacity (optional). Enter your supplier's quoted price per cubic yard or per ton to see a cost estimate. Enter truck capacity to see how many delivery loads the order requires. Common capacities are 10 cubic yards for a single axle dump truck and 16 cubic yards for a tandem.
7. Review your results. The gravel calculator returns cubic yards, tons, a round-up quantity, coverage per yard, and optional cost. Use the cubic yards figure when ordering bulk gravel. Round up to the nearest half yard for easy ordering, since suppliers sell in half-yard or full-yard increments.

Pro tip: Measure depth at three different points and average them. I once ordered gravel based on the deepest corner of a driveway turnaround and wound up with two extra cubic yards piled at the curb. Three quick depth checks with a tape measure save money and hauling time.

This gravel calculator converts your project dimensions into cubic yards, the standard ordering unit for bulk gravel. It works as a gravel yardage calculator and gravel tonnage calculator in a single step.

Volume:

Depth (ft) = Depth (in) / 12

Cubic feet = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft)

Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27

Order quantity:

Order cubic yards = Cubic yards × (1 + Buffer / 100)

Weight:

Tons = Order cubic yards × Density (tons per cubic yard)

Cost (when price is entered):

Total cost = Order quantity × Price per unit

Variables:

• Area = project surface in square feet (length × width for rectangles, π × radius² for circles, or entered directly)
• Depth = average gravel thickness converted to feet (divide inches by 12)
• Buffer = percentage added for waste, compaction, and spreading loss
• Density = weight of one cubic yard of gravel in tons (pea gravel ~1.4, crushed stone ~1.5, river rock ~1.6)

Example:

A 40 ft by 12 ft driveway with pea gravel at 4 inches deep.

• Area = 40 × 12 = 480 sq ft
• Depth in feet = 4 / 12 = 0.333 ft
• Cubic feet = 480 × 0.333 = 160 ft³
• Cubic yards = 160 / 27 = 5.93 yd³
• With 10% buffer = 5.93 × 1.10 = 6.52 yd³
• At 1.4 tons/yd³ = 6.52 × 1.4 = 9.13 tons

Most suppliers deliver in half-yard increments, so you'd order 7.0 cubic yards for this job.

Quick rule: One cubic yard of gravel covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep. Use that to sanity-check your result before calling a supplier.

Density by gravel type:

Assumptions:

• The area is measured as a single rectangle, circle, or pre-calculated square footage. For irregular shapes, split into sections and add the areas before entering a combined value
• Depth is the average across the project area. Uneven ground can add 10% or more volume if you only measure one spot
• Gravel density varies by moisture, gradation, and stone type. Wet gravel weighs 5% to 10% more than dry. Confirm density with your supplier when ordering by ton
• The cost estimate uses your entered price or a $25 to $50 per cubic yard range for 2026 bulk prices. Delivery typically adds $50 to $150 per load depending on distance
• This gravel calculator does not account for excavation loss, subbase layers, delivery minimums, or supplier rounding practices