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Gravel & Aggregate Calculator

Standard Gravel/Crushed Stone (2800 lbs/yd³) Pea Gravel (2500 lbs/yd³) Mulch/Wood Chips (2200 lbs/yd³) Topsoil (2700 lbs/yd³)

Results:

*Note: Calculation includes a 5% waste factor for compaction.
function calculateGravel() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcWidth').value); var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcDepth').value); var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcDensity').value); var resultBox = document.getElementById('gravelResult'); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depthInches) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depthInches <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields."); return; } // Convert depth to feet var depthFeet = depthInches / 12; // Calculate Cubic Feet var cubicFeet = length * width * depthFeet; // Calculate Cubic Yards var cubicYardsRaw = cubicFeet / 27; // Add 5% for compaction and waste var cubicYards = cubicYardsRaw * 1.05; // Calculate Tons (Density is lbs per cubic yard) var totalPounds = cubicYards * density; var totalTons = totalPounds / 2000; // Calculate 0.5 cubic foot bags var bagsNeeded = Math.ceil(cubicFeet / 0.5); document.getElementById('resCubicYards').innerHTML = "Total Volume: " + cubicYards.toFixed(2) + " Cubic Yards"; document.getElementById('resTons').innerHTML = "Estimated Weight: " + totalTons.toFixed(2) + " Tons"; document.getElementById('resBags').innerHTML = "If using bags (0.5 cu ft): " + bagsNeeded + " Bags"; resultBox.style.display = 'block'; }

Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do You Need?

Planning a new driveway, garden path, or drainage project requires precision. Ordering too little gravel leads to delivery delays and extra shipping costs, while ordering too much leaves you with a massive pile of stone taking up space. This gravel calculator is designed to help you estimate the exact volume and weight of material required for your project.

How to Calculate Gravel Coverage

Calculating the amount of stone or aggregate needed involves three primary dimensions: length, width, and depth. Most landscaping projects use the following formula:

  1. Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (converted to feet).
  2. Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide the total cubic feet by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard).
  3. Account for Compaction: Always add 5% to 10% extra to account for the material settling or being pressed into the subsoil.

Common Gravel Depth Recommendations

  • Garden Paths: 2 to 3 inches for walking comfort.
  • Driveways: 4 to 6 inches to support vehicle weight.
  • Drainage/French Drains: 8 to 12 inches depending on the pipe size.
  • Mulch Alternative: 2 inches for weed suppression.

Understanding Tons vs. Cubic Yards

Gravel suppliers sell material in different ways. Bulk suppliers usually sell by the ton, while smaller landscape yards might sell by the cubic yard. Because stone is heavy, volume doesn't always equal weight.

A standard yard of crushed stone typically weighs about 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons). However, lighter materials like lava rock or wood mulch will have a much lower density, meaning a "yard" of mulch weighs significantly less than a "yard" of gravel. Our calculator allows you to select the specific material density to ensure your weight estimate is as accurate as possible.

Example Calculation

Imagine you are building a gravel driveway that is 30 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a recommended depth of 4 inches.

  • Step 1: 30′ × 12′ = 360 square feet.
  • Step 2: 4 inches is 0.33 feet. (4 / 12 = 0.33).
  • Step 3: 360 sq ft × 0.33 ft = 118.8 cubic feet.
  • Step 4: 118.8 / 27 = 4.4 cubic yards.
  • Step 5: 4.4 yards × 1.4 tons = 6.16 Tons of Gravel.

Pro Tips for Your Gravel Project

To ensure a professional finish, always clear the area of grass and weeds before laying your gravel. For driveways and paths, we highly recommend installing a geotextile landscape fabric under the gravel. This prevents the stone from sinking into the dirt over time and significantly reduces weed growth. Additionally, consider using an "edging" material like metal, plastic, or treated wood to keep the gravel contained and prevent it from spreading into your lawn.

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