Pricing & Estimating

Gravel Calculator

Enter your area dimensions and depth to calculate exactly how much gravel you need in cubic yards and tons — plus an estimated material cost. Works for driveways, patios, walkways, and drainage projects.

Pre-filled with a 20 x 10 ft patio area at 3" depth. Edit to match your project.

Gravel Type

Density: 1.4 tons per cubic yard

2–3 in Walkways & decorative
4–6 in Driveways & patios
6–8 in Load-bearing base

Gravel Needed (with 10% overage)

2.0yd³

Area

200 ft²

Exact Volume

1.85 yd³

Weight

(with 10% overage)

2.85 tons

Estimated Cost

$128

What Is a Gravel Calculator?

A gravel calculator converts your project dimensions — length, width, and depth — into the volume and weight of gravel you need to order. Instead of guessing, you get a precise number in cubic yards and tons, which is how most suppliers price and deliver aggregate. Our calculator includes a built-in 10% overage to account for compaction, settling, and uneven terrain.

The formula: (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards

Then multiply by the gravel density (tons per cubic yard) to get weight.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1Measure your project area in feet — length and width. For irregular shapes, break it into rectangles and calculate each separately.
  2. 2Choose your desired depth in inches. Use 2–3″ for walkways, 4–6″ for driveways, and 6–8″ for load-bearing base layers.
  3. 3Select your gravel type — each has a different density that affects how many tons you need per cubic yard.
  4. 4Enter the price per ton from your local supplier to see an estimated total cost (average is $30–$65/ton depending on type and region).
  5. 5Review your results. The calculator adds 10% overage automatically, so you won’t come up short.

Gravel Types & Densities

Density matters because it determines how many tons you need to order. Lava rock is lightweight (0.50 tons/yd³), while river rock is heavy (1.55 tons/yd³). Choosing the wrong density can mean ordering 3x too much — or running short.

Gravel TypeTons / Cubic Yard
Pea Gravel1.40
Crushed Stone1.35
River Rock1.55
Crushed Granite1.30
Lava Rock0.50
Marble Chips1.50

Common Project Examples

Here are typical gravel quantities for popular projects. All estimates include the 10% overage you should always plan for. Need help with your full landscaping budget?

Gravel Driveway (12 x 40 ft, 4″ deep)

6.52 yd³ · 8.80 tons — Crushed stone is the standard choice for driveways

Patio Base (10 x 12 ft, 3″ deep)

1.22 yd³ · 1.65 tons — Use crushed stone under pavers for proper drainage

French Drain Trench (30 x 1.5 ft, 12″ deep)

1.83 yd³ · 2.47 tons — River rock or crushed stone works best for drainage

Buying Tips to Save Money

Order by the truckload when possible

Bulk delivery (by the yard or ton) is far cheaper than bagged gravel. A typical dump truck holds 10–16 tons. For smaller jobs, check if your supplier has a 1-yard minimum.

Use the right base layer

Driveways and patios need a compacted base of crushed stone (4–6″) before the finish layer. Skipping the base leads to sinking and shifting within a year. Our paver calculator can help you plan the full stack.

Compact gravel loses 10–15% volume

After compaction, your 4″ layer might settle to 3.5″. That’s why we build in 10% overage, but for driveways under heavy traffic, consider ordering 15% extra.

Planning a larger project? Our retaining wall calculator and sod calculator can help you estimate the rest of your materials. For a full breakdown of what to budget, read our lawn care pricing guide.

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