Cubic yards
Most yards sell loose gravel by the cubic yard. Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. A 10 × 10 ft patch at 2 inches deep is about 0.62 cubic yards before any extra.
Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Measure each part of the job, enter a depth, and get the yards, tons and bags to order.
Last updated Math checked by 19 automated testsSee every formula
Your areas
Not sure how deep? Typical depths
| Project | Depth people commonly use |
|---|---|
| Decorative beds and borders | 2-3 in (5-8 cm) |
| Garden paths | 2-3 in (5-8 cm); 3-4 in if wheelbarrows use it |
| Patios and seating areas | 3-4 in (8-10 cm) |
| Driveways | Two layers: a compacted base and a top layer. Use the driveway calculator |
| Under pavers, sheds or slabs | Whatever the manufacturer or your plans say |
Starting points, not specifications. Soil, traffic and frost change the right answer, so check with your supplier or installer.
Material and extra allowance
Fills in a typical value so you get tons straight away. It varies by quarry and moisture, so replace it with your supplier's figure when you have it.
Only needed for tons. Ask the yard for the weight of the exact product, because stone type and moisture change it. How to find it, or weigh a bucket yourself.
Base stone such as crusher run packs down when it is rolled, so you need more loose stone than the finished depth. Your supplier can tell you how much to add.
Prices and delivery optional
Fill in whichever prices you have. Each way of buying is shown as its own total, with delivery added to each. Tax and labor are not included.
Gravel coverage calculator: how far will it go?
Already have a pile or a quote? Enter the amount and find out how much ground it covers, or how deep it will be over an area you know.
Enter an amount and a depth to see the coverage.
How the gravel calculator works
Each area is surface area times depth. The areas are added up, then your compaction and waste percentages are added on top of that measured total. Weight uses only the density you enter, so it matches what your supplier will weigh.
- Rectangle
- length × width × depth
- L-shape
- (length × width − notch length × notch width) × depth
- Circle
- π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth
- Triangle
- base × height ÷ 2 × depth
- Trapezoid
- (long side + short side) ÷ 2 × distance between × depth
- Known area
- area × depth
Gravel in yards, tons and square feet
Tons
Quarries usually sell by the ton. Tons = cubic yards × density (lb/ft³) × 27 ÷ 2,000. The same yard of stone can weigh a few hundred pounds more or less depending on the rock and how wet it is, so use the supplier's number.
Square feet
Already know the area? Pick "Known area" and enter square feet or square metres plus a depth. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 at 2 inches and 81 at 4 inches.
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
It depends on the stone. Tons per cubic yard = density in lb/ft³ × 27 ÷ 2,000. At 100 lb/ft³ a cubic yard weighs 1.35 US tons, so a ton is about 0.74 cubic yards.
| Density (lb/ft³) | Tons per cubic yard | Cubic yards per ton |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 1.22 | 0.82 |
| 100 | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| 110 | 1.49 | 0.67 |
| 120 | 1.62 | 0.62 |
Convert any amount in the yards to tons converter
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
Only the depth matters. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so the square feet covered = 27 ÷ depth in feet.
| Depth | Square feet per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
| 6 in | 54 |
How many bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Divide 27 cubic feet by the bag size: 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet make a yard. For bags sold by weight, divide 2,000 lb by the bag weight to get bags per US ton.
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard | Bags per US ton |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 ft³ | 54 | 40 (at 100 lb/ft³) |
| 0.75 ft³ | 36 | 27 (at 100 lb/ft³) |
| 1 ft³ | 27 | 20 (at 100 lb/ft³) |
| 40 lb | 68 (at 100 lb/ft³) | 50 |
| 50 lb | 54 (at 100 lb/ft³) | 40 |
The calculator counts 0.5 ft³, 1 ft³ and 50 lb bags for you. Enter a bag price to compare bags with a bulk delivery.
How much gravel fits in a dump truck?
It depends on the truck and local weight limits, so ask the supplier how much one load carries. Enter that in "One truck load holds" and the calculator counts the loads, rounded up.
- Get your total in tons or cubic yards from the calculator.
- Ask the supplier what one load carries and whether there is a minimum order.
- Enter the load size and the delivery fee under Prices and delivery.
- Compare the bulk total with the bag total before you order.
Worked example: gravel for a patio and a path
- Patio: 14 ft × 12 ft = 168 square feet. At 4 inches (0.333 ft) that is 56 cubic feet.
- Path: 30 ft × 3 ft = 90 square feet. At 2 inches (0.167 ft) that is 15 cubic feet.
- Measured total: 56 + 15 = 71 cubic feet.
- Add 10% waste: 71 × 1.10 = 78.1 cubic feet, or 2.89 cubic yards.
- At a supplier density of 100 lb/ft³: 78.1 × 100 = 7,810 lb, or 3.91 US tons.
- In bags: 78.1 ÷ 0.5 = 156.2, so 157 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
Enter the patio and the path as two areas above and the calculator does every step, including the bag count.
Gravel for driveways, patios, pavers and drains
The math is the same for every job. What changes is the depth and the shape, so measure each part separately and add it as its own area.
Driveway gravel
A driveway is usually a compacted base layer under a thinner top layer, each a different stone. The driveway calculator takes both layers, their compaction and their prices.
Pea gravel
Pea gravel is a loose cover for paths, patios and play areas. Use the finished depth you want and the density your supplier lists for pea gravel.
Paver base
Enter the paver area and the base depth from the paver maker or your installer. Add compaction, because the base is plate-compacted and shrinks.
French drain
A drain trench is a long rectangle with a pipe in it. The French drain calculator takes the pipe's volume out so you do not over-order.
Under a concrete slab
Enter the slab footprint and the base depth from your plans or local building guidance. This is a quantity estimate only, not a structural check.
L-shaped and curved areas
Use the L-shape for a patio that wraps a corner, the trapezoid for a tapering bed, and split anything curvy into a few simple shapes.
Common types of gravel and where they go
Names change from region to region, so confirm the product and its density before you order. The calculator works the same for all of them.
| Material | What it is | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | Small, smooth, rounded stones, usually about 3/8 inch | Paths, patios, play areas, beds |
| #57 stone | Washed crushed stone, roughly 1/2 to 1 inch | Drainage, driveway top layer, French drains |
| 3/4 inch crushed stone | Angular stone screened to about 3/4 inch | Driveways, drainage, shed and paver bases |
| Crusher run, DGA, road base | Crushed stone mixed with fines that packs down hard | Driveway and paver base layers |
| River rock | Larger rounded stones | Borders, dry creek beds |
| Decomposed granite | Fine, weathered granite | Paths and patios with a firm, natural finish |
Gravel calculator FAQ
How much gravel do I need?
Measure each area, pick a finished depth, and multiply length × width × depth. Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards. This calculator does that for several areas at once and adds optional compaction and waste.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
About 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches and 81 square feet at 4 inches.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the density in pounds per cubic foot, multiply by 27, then divide by 2,000. Density depends on the stone and how wet it is, so use your supplier's figure.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
Divide 2,000 by the density in lb/ft³ × 27. At 100 lb/ft³ that is about 0.74 cubic yards per ton. Heavier stone gives fewer yards per ton.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
Divide 2,000 lb by the density to get cubic feet, then divide by the depth in feet. At 100 lb/ft³ and 2 inches deep, a ton covers about 120 square feet.
How do I calculate an L-shaped or curved area?
Pick L-shape and enter the overall length and width plus the size of the missing corner. For curves, split the area into rectangles, triangles and circles and add each one as its own area.
How accurate are the material weights?
They are typical ranges, not exact figures. Two loads both sold as "3/4 inch gravel" can differ in weight depending on the quarry and how wet the stone is, so the calculator shows tons as a range and lets you replace the density with your supplier's number.
How much extra gravel should I order?
Many people add 5 to 10 percent for uneven ground and spillage. Base stone that will be compacted needs more on top of that; ask your supplier for the figure for their product.
Is it cheaper to buy gravel in bags or in bulk?
Bags cost more per cubic foot but make sense for small jobs or where a truck cannot reach. Bulk is sold by the ton or yard, usually with a delivery fee. Enter both prices and the calculator shows each total.
About this calculator
A free, independent planning tool. Everything runs in your browser using standard geometry and exact unit definitions; nothing you type is sent anywhere. Results are estimates for ordering, not engineering advice.
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