Gravel Calculator
Enter the area and the depth of the layer to find out how many tons and cubic yards of gravel, stone, sand, soil or mulch to order.
- 7 materials
- Tons and yards
- 3 area shapes
- Private
Cost (optional)
Leave at 0 to skip the cost.
How to calculate gravel
Material, area, depth.
- 1
Choose the material
Gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel, river rock, sand, topsoil or mulch — or enter your own density.
- 2
Enter the area
Pick rectangle, circle or triangle and type the dimensions in feet or metres.
- 3
Set the depth
Enter the depth of the layer in inches or centimetres, add a little for compaction and read the weight, the volume and the cost.
Order by weight or by volume
Suppliers quote both — the calculator gives you both.
Seven materials
Typical bulk densities built in, from light bark mulch to dense gravel.
Tons and cubic yards
Weight for the quarry, volume for the landscape supplier, bags for the garden centre.
Three shapes
Rectangular driveways and beds, round fire pits and tree rings, triangular corners.
Custom density
Using something else — slate chips, decomposed granite, compost? Enter its density.
Cost
Enter the price per ton and see what the delivery will cost.
Link to your calculation
Copy a link that reopens the calculator with your numbers filled in — handy for sharing or saving a scenario.
Made for phones
Large fields, the right keyboard for numbers and a layout that fits small screens.
Private by design
Everything is calculated in your browser. Your numbers are not sent to a server.
How much gravel do I need?
First work out the volume: area × depth. Convert the depth to the same unit as the area — 2 inches is 0.167 ft. A 20 × 10 ft path with a 2 in layer is 200 × 0.167 = 33.3 ft³; divide by 27 for 1.23 cubic yards. In metric units a 6 × 3 m area at 5 cm deep is 18 × 0.05 = 0.9 m³.
To convert volume to weight, multiply by the bulk density of the material. Loose gravel weighs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard (1,680 kg per m³), so the example needs about 1.75 tons, or roughly 1.85 tons with 5 % extra for compaction and uneven ground. Density varies with stone type, grading and moisture, so treat the weight as an estimate and confirm with your supplier.
The right depth depends on the job: about 2 in (5 cm) for decorative gravel and paths over landscape fabric, 4–6 in (10–15 cm) built up in compacted layers for driveways, 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of mulch around plants and 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of topsoil for a new lawn. Stones should be laid at least twice as deep as their largest diameter.
Typical bulk densities and depths
| Material | Weight | Typical depth |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.42 tons/yd³ (1,680 kg/m³) | 2 in paths, 4–6 in driveways |
| Crushed stone | 1.35 tons/yd³ (1,600 kg/m³) | 4–6 in base layer |
| Pea gravel | 1.31 tons/yd³ (1,550 kg/m³) | 2–3 in |
| Sand | 1.35 tons/yd³ (1,600 kg/m³) | 1 in bedding under pavers |
| Topsoil | 1.0 ton/yd³ (1,200 kg/m³) | 4–6 in for lawns |
| Bark mulch | 0.34 tons/yd³ (400 kg/m³) | 2–3 in |
Tips
- Pouring a slab on top of the base? The Concrete Calculator gives the volume and bags.
- Filling a planter, pond or odd shape? The Volume Calculator covers 12 solids.
- Splitting a bulk delivery with a neighbour? The Ratio Calculator divides it fairly.
- Bulk delivery is far cheaper than bags above about half a cubic yard — but check truck access and where the load can be tipped.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Contact us — we reply quickly.
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get the volume, then multiply by the material’s density to get the weight. The calculator does both and adds your allowance for compaction.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 US tons for typical gravel. Crushed stone and sand are around 1.35 tons, topsoil about 1 ton and bark mulch about a third of a ton per cubic yard.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) in total, laid in two or three compacted layers with larger stone at the bottom. Soft ground may need more.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one US ton covers about 115 ft² (one tonne about 12 m² at 5 cm). At 4 inches it covers half that.
What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?
A US (short) ton is 2,000 lb or 907 kg. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg or 2,205 lb. The calculator uses short tons with US units and tonnes with metric units.
Are my numbers stored or sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser. Your last inputs are remembered on your own device only, so the form is still filled in when you come back; use Reset to clear them.
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