Gravel Calculator
Get an accurate gravel estimate in cubic yards and tons for a driveway, path, or drainage bed based on your area and depth.
Tons needed
2.59tons
Cubic yards
1.85yd³
Volume
50ft³
Most gravel yards sell by the ton. Densities vary by material and moisture content — confirm the exact conversion factor with your supplier for large orders.
How the gravel calculator works
Gravel is calculated the same way as any bulk fill material: figure out the volume of the space you're filling, then convert that volume into the unit your supplier sells — almost always tons.
Formula: volume (ft³) = length × width × (depth ÷ 12). Cubic yards = volume ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × material density.
Density changes by material because gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel, and sand pack differently — pick your material above to get an accurate ton figure instead of a generic estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Most gravel driveways use 4-6 inches of base material, sometimes with an additional 2-inch top-dressing layer. Walking paths typically only need 2-3 inches.
It depends on the material, but general gravel runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, crushed stone around 1.35, pea gravel around 1.3, and dry sand around 1.4 (wet sand can weigh noticeably more). Select your material above for a more precise conversion.
Yes — gravel compacts by roughly 10-20% once it's spread and rolled or tamped. Many contractors order slightly more than the raw calculation to account for this settling.
Pricing conventions vary by supplier, but most gravel yards quote and sell by the ton for anything beyond a small bag order — that's why this calculator leads with tons.