Yards of Gravel Calculator

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Cubic Yards of Gravel Calculator

Calculation Results

Total Cubic Yards: 0 yd³

Total Cubic Feet: 0 ft³

Estimated Weight: 0 Tons

Estimated Cost: $0.00

function calculateGravel() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcWidth').value); var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcDepth').value); var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcPrice').value) || 0; if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depthInches) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depthInches <= 0) { alert('Please enter valid positive numbers for Length, Width, and Depth.'); return; } // Convert depth to feet var depthFeet = depthInches / 12; // Calculate Cubic Feet var cubicFeet = length * width * depthFeet; // Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards (1 yard = 27 cubic feet) var cubicYards = cubicFeet / 27; // Typical gravel weight: 1.4 tons per cubic yard var tons = cubicYards * 1.4; // Total Cost var totalCost = cubicYards * price; document.getElementById('resYards').innerText = cubicYards.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('resFeet').innerText = cubicFeet.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('resTons').innerText = tons.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('resCost').innerText = '$' + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('gravel-results').style.display = 'block'; }

How to Calculate Cubic Yards of Gravel

Planning a landscaping project, a new driveway, or a garden path requires precise measurement to avoid overspending or running out of materials mid-job. Gravel is almost always sold by the cubic yard. One cubic yard represents a block of material that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet deep.

The Calculation Formula

To calculate the amount of gravel you need manually, follow these four steps:

  1. Measure the Area: Determine the length and width of your space in feet.
  2. Determine Depth: Decide how deep the gravel should be in inches (common depths are 2 to 4 inches).
  3. Convert Depth to Feet: Divide the inches by 12 (e.g., 3 inches / 12 = 0.25 feet).
  4. Calculate Volume: Multiply Length × Width × Depth (in feet) to get cubic feet.
  5. Convert to Yards: Divide the total cubic feet by 27.

Recommended Depths for Common Projects

Choosing the right depth is crucial for both functionality and cost-efficiency. Here are the industry standards:

  • Footpaths and Walkways: 2 to 3 inches is usually sufficient for a comfortable walking surface.
  • Driveways: 4 to 6 inches is recommended to support the weight of vehicles and prevent the soil underneath from peaking through.
  • Drainage/French Drains: 8 to 12 inches or more, depending on the pipe size and local drainage requirements.
  • Mulch Alternative: 2 inches is standard for weed suppression and aesthetic cover in flower beds.

Gravel Weight: Tons vs. Yards

While gravel is sold by volume (yards), many delivery trucks have weight limits. On average, one cubic yard of standard crushed stone or gravel weighs approximately 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons). If you are ordering a "pea gravel" or a very dense decorative stone, the weight may increase toward 1.5 or 1.6 tons per yard. Always check with your supplier if you are concerned about weight limits on your driveway during delivery.

Example Calculation

Suppose you have a driveway that is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to lay gravel 4 inches deep.

  • Step 1: 30 ft (Length) × 10 ft (Width) = 300 sq. ft.
  • Step 2: 4 inches / 12 = 0.333 ft.
  • Step 3: 300 sq. ft. × 0.333 ft = 100 cubic feet.
  • Step 4: 100 / 27 = 3.70 Cubic Yards.

In this scenario, we would recommend ordering 4 cubic yards to account for settling and minor measurement variations.

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