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Gravel & Aggregate Calculator

Calculate the exact amount of gravel, stone, or mulch needed for your project.

Crushed Stone / Gravel (Standard) Sand Mulch / Wood Chips Dense Grade / Road Base

Project Requirements:

Cubic Yards: 0 yd³

Estimated Tons: 0 tons

*Note: We recommend adding 10% extra for compaction and waste.

function calculateGravel() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_len').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_wid').value); var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_dep').value); var densityFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_type').value); 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; } // Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet var volumeCuFt = length * width * (depthInches / 12); // Convert to Cubic Yards (1 yard = 27 cubic feet) var cubicYards = volumeCuFt / 27; // Calculate Tonnage based on material density var tons = cubicYards * densityFactor; document.getElementById('res_yards').innerText = cubicYards.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('res_tons').innerText = tons.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('calc_results').style.display = 'block'; }

How to Calculate Gravel Requirements

Planning a driveway, patio, or landscaping project requires precision to ensure you don't overpay for materials or run short mid-project. Our Gravel Calculator simplifies this process by converting your area dimensions into both cubic yards and tonnage.

The Gravel Calculation Formula

To manually calculate how much gravel you need, follow these steps:

  • Measure the Area: Determine the length and width of the coverage area in feet.
  • Determine Depth: Decide how deep the material should be. Standard driveways usually require 2-4 inches, while walkways may only need 2 inches.
  • Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply Length × Width × (Depth in inches / 12).
  • Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide the total cubic feet by 27.
  • Convert to Tons: Multiply cubic yards by the material density (typically 1.4 for standard gravel).

Example Calculation

Imagine you are building a gravel driveway that is 40 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a desired depth of 3 inches.

  1. Square Footage: 40 ft × 12 ft = 480 sq ft.
  2. Depth in Feet: 3 inches ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
  3. Cubic Feet: 480 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 120 cubic feet.
  4. Cubic Yards: 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 cubic yards.
  5. Tons: 4.44 × 1.4 = 6.22 tons.

Common Material Densities

Not all materials weigh the same. When converting volume to weight, use these general estimates:

Material Tons per Cubic Yard
Crushed Stone 1.4
Dry Sand 1.2
Road Base 1.6
Bark Mulch 0.4 – 0.6

Pro Tip: The Compaction Factor

When ordering aggregate for a base (like for a patio or driveway), remember that the material will settle and compact when driven over or tamped down. It is a standard industry practice to order 10% to 15% more than your exact calculation to account for this compaction and any unevenness in the subgrade.

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