Gravel Calculator
Enter the size of the area and the depth to see how many cubic yards and tons of gravel (or sand, topsoil or mulch) you need.
Advertisement
Enter the area and depth to get cubic yards and tons of gravel, sand, topsoil or mulch.
Advertisement
How much gravel do you need?
Gravel, sand and soil are sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. To find the volume, multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft area covered 3 inches deep is 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards; with 10% extra for compaction, about 2.04 cubic yards. Multiply by the material’s density to get tons: gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so that is about 2.9 tons.
Typical weight per cubic yard
| Material | Tons per cubic yard (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Gravel (crushed, 3/4 in) | 1.4 |
| Crushed stone / road base | 1.5 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 |
| Sand | 1.35 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 |
| Mulch / bark | 0.5 |
Recommended depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative gravel or path | 2-3 inches |
| Driveway surface layer | 3-4 inches over a compacted base |
| Base under a patio or pavers | 4-6 inches |
| Drainage or French drain trench | 6-12 inches |
Densities vary with moisture and size, so these are estimates; your supplier can give the exact figure for their product. Order slightly more than the calculation: compaction and uneven ground will use it. For concrete, use the concrete calculator; for areas, the area calculator.
How to use the gravel calculator
- Choose the material and enter length, width and depth with their units.
- Set the extra for compaction (10% is typical).
- Read the cubic yards, cubic meters and estimated tons to order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. 20 × 10 ft at 3 inches deep is 1.85 cubic yards before extra.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons for typical crushed gravel and about 1.5 for crushed stone or road base, depending on size and moisture.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Typically 4 to 6 inches in total, with a compacted base layer and a 3-4 inch surface layer.
How much extra gravel should I order?
About 10% extra covers compaction and uneven ground.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the material’s tons-per-yard density. 2 cubic yards of gravel at 1.4 is 2.8 tons.
Related tools: Concrete calculator · Area calculator · Volume calculator