Gravel Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and tons of gravel needed for driveways, paths, and landscaping. Includes different gravel types and cost estimates.
Small, rounded stones for paths and landscaping
How to Use This Calculator
Ordering the right amount of gravel saves money and prevents multiple deliveries. Here's how to calculate your needs:
- Measure your area dimensions in feet, or enter the total square footage directly.
- Select the desired depth. Driveways need 4-6 inches, paths 2-3 inches, base layers 4 inches minimum.
- Choose your gravel type - this affects the weight calculation (tons) for ordering.
- Enter local pricing per ton or per cubic yard to estimate costs.
- Click 'Calculate' to see cubic yards and tons needed.
Why This Matters
Gravel is typically sold by the ton or cubic yard, and the conversion between them varies significantly by gravel type. Lightweight lava rock weighs half as much as dense road base for the same volume. Getting this wrong means either expensive extra deliveries or paying for material you don't need.
- Calculate both cubic yards and tons for accurate ordering
- Account for different gravel densities automatically
- Know if you need a full dump truck or partial load
- Compare costs between pricing methods (per ton vs per yard)
- Plan for proper depth based on your application
Worked Examples
Gravel Driveway
A 12' × 50' driveway with 4 inches of crushed stone.
Calculation: 600 sq ft × (4/12) ft = 200 cu ft = 7.4 cubic yards × 1.4 tons/yard = 10.4 tons
Result: Order 11 tons of crushed stone. At $45/ton, expect to pay ~$500 plus delivery.
Pea Gravel Patio
A 15' × 20' patio area with 3 inches of pea gravel.
Calculation: 300 sq ft × (3/12) ft = 75 cu ft = 2.8 cubic yards × 1.4 tons/yard = 3.9 tons
Result: Order 4 tons of pea gravel. Consider landscape fabric underneath to prevent sinking.
Decorative River Rock
A 10' × 30' landscaping bed with 2 inches of river rock.
Calculation: 300 sq ft × (2/12) ft = 50 cu ft = 1.85 cubic yards × 1.35 tons/yard = 2.5 tons
Result: Order 2.5-3 tons. River rock is decorative - you may need weed barrier underneath.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming all gravel weighs the same - lava rock is half the weight of road base for the same volume.
- Not compacting between layers - gravel settles significantly; compact each 2-inch layer.
- Skipping the base layer - proper driveways need larger stone at the bottom for drainage and stability.
- Ordering just cubic yards without knowing tons - many suppliers price and deliver by weight.
- Not accounting for settling - order 10-15% extra for areas that will be compacted.