Gravel Calculator

What this calculator does

This gravel calculator sizes a fill in length × width × depth and reports the result in cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, and tons. It targets driveways, walking paths, drainage trenches, French drains, landscaping beds, and sub-base layers under pavers or slabs. Pick a gravel type for a typical density, or enter a custom value from your supplier. Add a price per ton or per cubic yard for a cost estimate.

Formula

Volume: V_ft³ = length_ft × width_ft × depth_ft

Multi-area total: V_total = V_one × quantity

Order with waste: V_order = V_total × (1 + waste)

Weight (tons): tons = V_order_yd³ × density_t/yd³

Conversions: V_yd³ = V_ft³ ÷ 27 · V_m³ = V_ft³ × 0.0283168

Cost: cost = tons × price_per_ton or V_order_yd³ × price_per_yd³

Variable definitions

• length / width / depth: Fill dimensions in your chosen unit, converted to feet internally. Depth is typically inches.
• quantity: Number of identical areas to fill (e.g., two flower beds the same size).
• waste: Extra ordered for compaction, settling, and spreading loss, as a decimal (0.10 = 10%).
• density: Material weight per cubic yard. Defaults shown are typical dry values, ask your supplier for an exact figure if it matters.

Step-by-step calculation

1. Pick a depth preset (path, driveway, drainage…) or enter custom depth.
2. Enter length and width in your preferred unit.
3. Set quantity for multiple identical areas.
4. Pick the gravel type for a typical density, or choose Custom and enter your supplier's value.
5. Set the waste factor, 5% for tidy fills, 10–15% for driveways and drainage.
6. Optionally enter price per ton or per cubic yard for a cost estimate.

Worked example

20 ft × 10 ft gravel driveway, 4 in deep, crushed stone, 10% waste:

• Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
• Cubic feet: 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.67 ft³
• Cubic yards: 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
• Order volume (with 10% waste): 2.47 × 1.10 = 2.72 yd³
• Tons (crushed stone, 1.35 t/yd³): 2.72 × 1.35 = 3.67 tons
• At $35 / ton: 3.67 × $35 = $128.45

How to use this calculator

1. Tap a depth preset for typical jobs, or enter custom depth.
2. Enter length and width in feet, inches, yards, meters, or centimeters.
3. Pick the gravel type or enter a custom density from your supplier.
4. Adjust waste and quantity for the real site.
5. Use the cubic-yard figure for landscape suppliers that sell by yard, or the tons figure for bulk quarries that sell by weight.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting compaction: crusher run and road base lose 10–20% volume when compacted; that's why the waste factor matters even on tidy rectangular fills.
• Wrong density: river rock and pea gravel weigh less per yard than crushed stone or base. Using the wrong density can over- or under-estimate tons by 15–25%.
• Inches vs feet: always check the unit selector for depth, it's the most common error.
• Rounding tons down: bulk suppliers usually deliver in fixed minimums (1 ton, 1/2 yard). Round the order up.

Typical gravel densities

Densities are typical dry values for sizing orders. Wet, oversized, or unusually shaped material can vary by 10–15%, confirm with your local supplier when accuracy matters.

Frequently asked questions