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Gravel Calculator

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Enter the area and desired depth to find how much gravel you need for a driveway, path, or drainage bed - in cubic yards and tons.

Gravel Calculator

Live
Cubic yards needed
2.47
Tons needed
3.33
Densities vary by material and moisture content - confirm with your supplier for large orders.

The formula

Cubic yards = (Area x Depth in feet) / 27 Tons = Cubic yards x Material density
Example

A 200 sq ft driveway section at 4 inches deep with pea gravel (1.35 tons/yd³): cubic yards = (200 x 0.333) / 27 ≈ 2.47 yd³, or about 3.33 tons.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Measure the area you're covering, in square feet.
  2. Choose a depth - 2-3 inches for a top-dressing over an existing base, 4+ inches for a new driveway base layer.
  3. Select your material - density varies noticeably between gravel types, which affects the weight (and often the price) for the same volume.

How deep should a gravel driveway be?

Many gravel driveways use a layered approach: a larger, angular base layer (4-6 inches) topped with a smaller decorative surface layer (1-2 inches). If you're building from bare ground, you may need to calculate the base layer and surface layer separately using this calculator - run it twice with different depths and materials, then add the two results together.

Common mistakes

Using a generic density figure for all gravel types - the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone can shift the tonnage by 10-15% for the identical volume.
Not accounting for compaction - loose gravel settles noticeably once driven or walked on, so many installers add 10-20% extra depth up front to account for this.

Frequently asked questions

Should I order gravel by weight or volume?

Most suppliers sell gravel by the ton, so the weight figure is usually what you'll actually order, though it's worth confirming which unit your specific supplier uses.

What's the difference between crushed gravel and pea gravel?

Crushed gravel has angular edges that interlock and compact well, making it good for driveway bases. Pea gravel is smooth and rounded, more common as a decorative top layer or in areas without vehicle traffic, since it shifts underfoot more easily.

Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?

It's commonly recommended under a gravel driveway or path to reduce weeds and slow the gravel from sinking into the soil below, though it's a separate material from the gravel volume calculated here.

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