Free tool
Gravel Calculator
Enter the area, depth, and rock type and get exactly how much gravel you need — in cubic yards and in tons, the way the quarry sells it — plus a delivered-cost ballpark. Free, no signup.
Gravel needed
0 tons
- Coverage area0 ft²
- Volume (cubic feet)0 ft³
- Cubic yards0 yd³
- Weight (tons)0 tons
- Estimated cost$0
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Or download it now (PDF)How to calculate how much gravel you need
Gravel is bought by weight but measured by volume, so every take-off runs the same three steps: area, depth, and a conversion from cubic yards to tons. Get the depth unit wrong — inches vs feet — and the order is off by a factor of twelve, so that is the one to slow down on.
1. Find the coverage area
For a rectangle or square, area is length × width in feet. For a round area it is π × radius². The calculator applies the right formula when you pick the shape, so you just enter dimensions.
2. Set the depth in inches
A residential gravel driveway is usually 4–6 inches deep; walkways and patios often 2–3 inches over a compacted base. Enter inches and the calculator divides by twelve to get feet before multiplying by the area — that is the step most hand calculations fumble.
3. Convert cubic yards to tons
Multiply area by depth for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material’s density — about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical gravel. The ton figure is what the quarry sells by, so it is the number that drives your material cost.
4. Add a little for compaction and waste
Gravel settles as it is compacted, and spread is never perfectly even, so ordering about 10% over the bare calculation keeps you from a second delivery fee for the last few square feet. Round up to the nearest whole ton when you place the order.
Sizing the load is step one. Turning it into a priced, professional quote is faster inside CrewRivet. See the concrete calculator, the mulch calculator, or the job pricing calculator.
Gravel calculator FAQ
- How much gravel do I need?
- Multiply the area you are covering (length × width in feet) by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply cubic yards by the material’s density to get tons. For most gravel that density is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. This calculator does all of it — enter your area, depth, and rock type and it returns yards, tons, and a delivered-cost ballpark.
- How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
- It depends on the material, but a good rule of thumb is about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard for typical gravel and crushed stone. Pea gravel and river rock run a touch lighter, road base and sand-heavy mixes a touch heavier. This calculator uses the right density for the material you pick so the ton figure — the number the quarry actually sells by — is realistic.
- How deep should a gravel driveway be?
- A residential gravel driveway is usually built 4–6 inches deep, often in layers (a coarser base topped with a finer driving surface). Walkways and patios can go 2–3 inches over a compacted base. Go deeper for soft soil or heavy vehicles. Enter your target depth in inches and the calculator converts it for you.
- How much does a yard of gravel cost?
- Delivered gravel commonly runs about $40–$60 per ton depending on material, distance, and load size, plus a delivery fee for small orders. The calculator lets you set your own price per ton so the estimate matches your local supplier — treat the default as a placeholder, not a quote.
- Is this gravel calculator free?
- Yes — the live estimate is free with no email required. Enter your email only if you want the free Job Pricing Kit (pricing worksheet, markup cheat-sheet, and invoice + quote templates) sent to your inbox.