Gravel and Aggregates Calculator
Estimated Material Needed
How to Calculate Gravel Coverage
Planning a landscaping project, driveway, or drainage trench requires an accurate estimate of gravel to avoid overspending or running out of material mid-project. Our gravel calculator simplifies the math by converting your square footage and desired depth into both cubic yards and tons.
The Basic Formula:
To find the volume of a rectangular area, use: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × [Depth (in) / 12] = Total Cubic Feet.
Since most suppliers sell gravel by the cubic yard, divide the total cubic feet by 27 (there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard).
Understanding Material Density
Gravel weight varies depending on the type of stone. On average, one cubic yard of standard gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs). If you are using lighter materials like crushed volcanic rock, the weight per yard may be lower, whereas dense river stone or wet sand will be heavier.
Example Calculation
If you have a driveway that is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to cover it with 4 inches of crushed stone:
- Square Footage: 30′ x 10′ = 300 sq. ft.
- Volume in Cubic Feet: 300 sq. ft. x (4″ / 12″) = 100 cubic feet.
- Volume in Cubic Yards: 100 / 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
- Weight in Tons: 3.70 x 1.4 = 5.18 tons.
Professional Tips for Buying Gravel
Always order approximately 10% more than your calculated amount. This accounts for compaction (especially if you are using a plate compactor for a base layer) and variations in the grade of your ground. It is far cheaper to have a small pile left over than to pay for a second delivery fee for a half-ton of stone.