Gravel calculator
Cubic yards and tons for driveways, paths and beds. Density is selected by material, because a yard of gravel and a yard of sand do not weigh the same.
- Volume
- — yd³
- Volume (feet)
- — ft³
- Estimated cost
- —
How the calculation works
Area in square feet, depth converted to feet, divided by 27 for cubic yards. Tons come from bulk density:
yd³ = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27
tons = yd³ × density
Density is the number suppliers actually argue about. 1.40 ton/yd³ for 3/4" gravel is the common retail figure; crushed stone runs slightly denser, pea gravel and sand slightly lighter. If your yard quotes by the yard and not the ton, ignore the tons line.
Worked example
A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches: 400 ft² × 0.333 ft = 133.3 ft³, or 4.94 yd³. With 5% waste, 5.19 yd³ × 1.40 = 7.26 tons.
How deep should gravel be?
| Application | Depth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Garden bed mulch layer | 2–3 in | Weed suppression, drainage |
| Foot path | 3–4 in | Stable under foot traffic |
| Residential driveway | 4–6 in | Spreads load to subgrade |
| Driveway over soft soil | 6–8 in + geotextile | Prevents sinking |
Frequently asked
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Roughly 1.4 tons for 3/4" gravel. The range across common materials is 1.1 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard.
Do I need a geotextile fabric?
On soft, clay-heavy ground, yes. Fabric stops gravel from migrating into the subgrade, which is the usual reason a driveway develops ruts in two years.
Should I order extra?
Five percent covers spreading losses. Ten percent if the base is uneven or you are raking by hand rather than using a grader.