Gravel calculator
Suppliers sell stone by the ton or by the yard, and those are not the same number. Depth is usually inches of finished cover; loose material settles, especially under tires. This page turns area × depth into cubic yards, then into an approximate tonnage using a density you can change for crushed stone vs pea gravel vs base rock. It will not design drainage or geotextile. It answers how much to order so the driveway does not show dirt patches after the first rain.
+10% so you don't come up short
Estimate only — not a contractor bid. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.
When to use
Driveway top-up, shed pad base under concrete, French drain trench fill (approximate), garden path.
When not to
Structural engineered base sections with proctor densities — ask the civil notes. Decorative pea gravel with weird bag sizes can use a lower density here until a specialty page ships.
Assumptions
Default density about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for common crushed gravel (editable). Default waste / compaction buffer 10%. Rectangle area. Depth = installed target depth.
Worked examples
Example 1
12×40 ft driveway, 4 in depth, 10% waste, 1.4 t/yd³
→ ≈ 5.93 yd³ → ≈ 6.5 yd³ ordered → ≈ 9.1 tons
Ask the yard if they sell by ton or yard before you argue with the gate.
Example 2
3×20 ft path, 2 in depth, 10% waste, density 1.2 t/yd³
→ Smaller yardage; bags can win under about a yard
How it calculates
Area × depth → cubic yards, add waste, convert to tons with density.
- Enter length × width (or area) and depth in inches.
- Set density if your quarry quotes something other than 1.4 t/yd³.
- Dial waste for compaction; read yards and tons on the ticket.
cu ft = area_sqft × (depth_in / 12) yd³ = cu ft / 27 order_yd³ = yd³ × (1 + waste) tons ≈ order_yd³ × tons_per_yd³
Common traps
- Dense-graded base settles more than clean drainage stone. If you are packing crusher run, lean toward higher waste.
- Moisture weight. Wet loads can weigh more at the scale; volume is the safer DIY planning unit when the yard will convert for you.
- Edge restraint. Without edging, gravel creeps and you “need more” every season — that is maintenance, not bad math on day one.
Next tool
Organic cover for beds → mulch calculator.
Planting soil → topsoil calculator.
Concrete on top of the base → concrete slab calculator.
FAQ
Area × depth → cubic yards, add waste, convert to tons with density.
Related
Estimate only — not a contractor bid or engineered takeoff. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.