Professional Gravel Calculator
Estimate exactly how much stone, rock, or gravel you need for your project.
Standard Gravel (1.4 tons/yd³)
Pea Gravel (1.25 tons/yd³)
Crushed Stone (1.35 tons/yd³)
River Rock (1.2 tons/yd³)
Estimated Requirements:
Cubic Yards
0.00
Total Weight (Tons)
0.00
50lb Bags Needed
0
Cubic Feet
0.00
*Note: We recommend ordering 10% extra to account for compaction and settling.
How to Calculate Your Gravel Needs
Planning a new driveway, garden path, or drainage pit requires accurate measurements to avoid overspending or running out of material mid-project. Our gravel calculator uses the specific density of common landscaping stones to provide precise tonnage and bag counts.
The Gravel Calculation Formula
To calculate the volume manually, you use the following steps:
- Calculate Square Footage: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft).
- Convert Depth to Feet: Divide your desired depth in inches by 12.
- Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply Square Footage × Depth (in feet).
- Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide Cubic Feet by 27.
- Calculate Tonnage: Multiply Cubic Yards × Material Density (usually 1.4).
Example Calculation
If you have a driveway that is 40 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of 3 inches of standard gravel:
- 40′ × 10′ = 400 square feet.
- 3″ / 12 = 0.25 feet.
- 400 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 100 cubic feet.
- 100 / 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
- 3.70 × 1.4 tons = 5.18 tons of gravel.
Common Gravel Densities
| Material Type | Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Crushed Stone (1″) | ~2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) |
| Pea Gravel | ~2,500 lbs (1.25 tons) |
| River Rock | ~2,400 lbs (1.20 tons) |
Recommended Depths
- Garden Paths: 2 to 3 inches for walking comfort.
- Driveways: 4 to 6 inches for structural stability.
- Drainage/French Drains: 8 to 12 inches depending on soil type.
- Mulch Replacement: 2 inches for weed suppression.