Gravel & Landscape Stone Calculator
Estimate the amount of gravel, rock, or stone needed for your project.
Imperial (Feet/Inches)
Metric (Meters/CM)
Standard Gravel (1.4 tons/yd³)
Pea Gravel (1.25 tons/yd³)
Crushed Stone (1.5 tons/yd³)
River Rock (1.3 tons/yd³)
Decomposed Granite (1.6 tons/yd³)
Total Volume: 0 Cubic Yards
Estimated Weight: 0 Tons
Approx. 0 standard bags (0.5 cu ft each).
How to Calculate Gravel for Your Project
Whether you are building a new driveway, creating a garden path, or laying a base for a patio, knowing exactly how much gravel to order is essential. Ordering too little leads to project delays, while ordering too much is a waste of money and effort.
The Gravel Calculation Formula
To calculate gravel volume manually, you use the following formula:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
For imperial measurements, the standard unit for selling gravel is the Cubic Yard. To get this:
- Measure Length and Width in feet.
- Measure Depth in inches and convert to feet (Depth in inches ÷ 12).
- Multiply Length × Width × Depth (in feet) to get Cubic Feet.
- Divide the total Cubic Feet by 27 to get Cubic Yards.
Material Density and Weight
Gravel is often sold by weight (tons) rather than volume. Because different stones have different densities, 1 cubic yard of pea gravel weighs less than 1 cubic yard of crushed limestone.
- Standard Gravel: Approx 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons) per cubic yard.
- River Rock: Approx 2,600 lbs (1.3 tons) per cubic yard.
- Crushed Stone: Approx 3,000 lbs (1.5 tons) per cubic yard.
Realistic Example:
If you have a driveway that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of 3 inches:
20′ × 10′ × 0.25′ (3/12) = 50 Cubic Feet.
50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 Cubic Yards.
1.85 × 1.4 tons = 2.59 Tons of gravel required.
If you have a driveway that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of 3 inches:
20′ × 10′ × 0.25′ (3/12) = 50 Cubic Feet.
50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 Cubic Yards.
1.85 × 1.4 tons = 2.59 Tons of gravel required.
Tips for a Successful Project
- Compaction: Remember that gravel settles. If you are compacting the stone (like for a driveway base), add about 15-20% to your total to account for the reduction in volume.
- Weed Barrier: Always install a heavy-duty landscape fabric under decorative gravel to prevent mixing with the soil and to stop weed growth.
- Edging: Use bricks, plastic edging, or timber to keep your gravel contained, especially in high-traffic areas.