Estimate the amount of gravel, crushed stone, or sand needed for your driveway, path, or landscaping project.
Standard Gravel/Crushed Stone (1.4 tons/yd³)
Sand (1.2 tons/yd³)
River Rock (1.5 tons/yd³)
Topsoil (1.3 tons/yd³)
Cubic Feet: 0 ft³
Cubic Yards: 0 yd³
Estimated Weight: 0 Tons
How to Use the Gravel Calculator
Planning a landscaping project requires precision to avoid over-ordering or running short mid-job. Our gravel calculator helps you determine the exact volume and weight of material required for any rectangular area.
To use the tool, simply measure the length and width of your area in feet. Then, decide on the depth. For most driveways, a depth of 4 to 6 inches is recommended, while walkways and flower beds typically only need 2 to 3 inches.
The Gravel Formula: How We Calculate It
The math behind gravel estimation follows these steps:
Convert to Cubic Yards: Cubic Feet / 27 = Cubic Yards (the standard unit for bulk delivery).
Calculate Tonnage: Cubic Yards × Density Factor = Total Tons.
Example Calculation
Suppose you are building a gravel driveway that is 50 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of 4 inches.
Area: 50 × 10 = 500 sq. ft.
Depth in Feet: 4 / 12 = 0.333 ft.
Volume: 500 × 0.333 = 166.67 cubic feet.
Cubic Yards: 166.67 / 27 = 6.17 cubic yards.
Weight (Standard Gravel): 6.17 × 1.4 = 8.64 Tons.
Recommended Depth for Common Projects
Project Type
Recommended Depth
Walking Path
2 – 3 Inches
Driveway (New)
6 – 8 Inches
Driveway (Resurfacing)
2 – 4 Inches
Flower Beds / Mulch Alternative
3 Inches
Drainage / French Drains
12+ Inches
Density Factors Explained
Not all materials weigh the same. While "Standard Gravel" usually weighs about 2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.4 tons), lighter materials like wood mulch or heavier rocks like river stone will change your total tonnage. If you are ordering by the ton, ensure you select the correct material type in the calculator to get an accurate weight estimate.
function calculateGravel() {
// Get input values
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_length').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_width').value);
var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_depth').value);
var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_type').value);
// Validation
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;
}
// Calculation Logic
var depthFeet = depthInches / 12;
var cubicFeet = length * width * depthFeet;
var cubicYards = cubicFeet / 27;
var totalTons = cubicYards * density;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('res_cubic_feet').innerHTML = cubicFeet.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('res_cubic_yards').innerHTML = cubicYards.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('res_tons').innerHTML = totalTons.toFixed(2);
// Show result container
document.getElementById('gravel-results').style.display = 'block';
}