Free · No sign-up · Yards, tons, m³ and bags
Gravel Calculator: Find Out How Much Gravel You Need
Enter your length, width and depth, and this gravel calculator shows how much gravel you need in cubic yards, tons, cubic metres, tonnes and bags. It also adds extra for compaction and waste, so you don’t come up short.
You need
Enter your measurements to see how much gravel you need.
What to order
In all units
Bags, barrows and truck loads
How far it goes
Delivery advice
Cost estimate
Weed fabric / membrane
Show the math
Before you order
- Ask the supplier if they sell by weight or by volume.
- Ask for the scale ticket (weigh bill) with the delivery.
- Check truck access: width, overhead branches or cables, and soft ground.
- Wet gravel weighs more. When buying by weight, ask if the stock is dry.
- Ask about the minimum order and the delivery fee.
Weights are typical loose, dry values. Your supplier's figure may differ slightly, so check with them for large orders.
Your gravel goes
Enter an amount, a material and a depth to see how far it goes.
Quote comparison
Enter your job size and at least one price to compare quotes.
A low price per ton is not always cheaper. Compare the cost per yard (or per m³) for the same job.
Quick answer: To work out how much gravel you need, multiply length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (ft) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to get tons. Add 10% extra for waste and settling.
Every shape and unit
Rectangles, circles, rings, triangles and L-shapes. Mix feet, inches, metres and millimetres.
Driveway layers
Work out the base and the top stone separately, with tons per 100 ft of driveway.
Bags to truck loads
See bags, bulk bags, wheelbarrows, pickup loads and dump trucks, not just cubic yards.
Compare supplier quotes
Enter prices per ton, per yard or per bag and see which quote is really cheapest.
User guide
How to Use the Gravel Calculator
Never bought gravel before? This guide explains every box and button, so you can work out how much to order in about two minutes.
1Measure first
You need three numbers. A tape measure is enough.
Length
The long side of the space.
Width
The short side.
Depth
How thick the gravel layer will be.
Not sure how deep? Pick a Project type in the calculator and it fills in a sensible depth for you. Most garden jobs are 2 to 3 inches (50 to 75 mm). Driveways need more.
2Region and units (top bar)
Region
Your country. It changes the gravel names (for example “crusher run” in the US is “MOT Type 1” in the UK), bag sizes and currency.
It is usually set for you. Change it if it’s wrong.
Imperial / Metric
Imperial uses feet, inches, cubic yards and tons. Metric uses metres, millimetres, cubic metres and tonnes.
Switching converts the numbers you already typed.
Every box also has its own small unit menu. You can mix units, for example length in feet and depth in inches.
3The 4 tabs
Area
The main calculator. Use it for beds, paths, patios, shed bases, drains, or any space.
Driveway
For driveways. A new driveway is built in layers: a strong base at the bottom and nicer stone on top. Choose New driveway, or Top-up existing to refresh an old one. Each layer has its own material and depth. Use Add a layer or Remove layer.
Coverage
Already have gravel, or a price for a set amount? Enter the amount and find the area it covers, or the depth it gives over your space.
Compare
Got quotes from 2 or 3 suppliers? Enter each price, its unit and the delivery fee. It shows the true total for your job and marks the cheapest. A low price per ton is not always the cheapest overall.
4Area tab, box by box
Project type
What you are building. It suggests a depth and a material, and shows a short tip.
Optional, but helpful if you are unsure.
Material
The type of gravel. Weights differ, so this changes the tons.
See “Which gravel?” below. “Custom density” is for when your supplier gives you a weight figure.
Shape and size
Tap the shape that matches your space, then fill in its sizes: rectangle, circle, ring (around a tree or pond), triangle, trapezoid, L-shape, or Known area if you already know the square feet or m².
A small drawing updates as you type, so you can check it looks right.
Depth
How thick the layer is. Tap a quick button (2 in, 3 in, 4 in, 6 in or 50 to 150 mm) or type your own.
The side view drawing shows the layer to scale.
Add another area
Several beds or paths? Add each one. You get a subtotal for each and one grand total.
Gravel condition
Dry or Wet. Wet gravel weighs about 10% more.
Leave on Dry unless your supplier sells by weight right after rain.
Compaction allowance
Gravel settles when it’s walked or driven on, so you need a little extra. It fills in automatically from the material.
Leave it as it is.
Extra for waste
A slider from 0 to 25%. Some gravel always spills or gets trodden in.
Keep 10%. Running short means paying for a second delivery.
5Reading the results
Results appear as soon as you type. There is no button to press. On a phone, a bar at the bottom shows the answer. Tap it to jump to the full results.
You need
The main answer: how much gravel by volume (big number) and by weight.
What to order
The answer rounded up to what suppliers sell. This is the number to tell your supplier.
In all units
The same amount in every unit, in case your supplier uses a different one.
Bags, barrows and trucks
How many bags, bulk bags, wheelbarrow loads, pickup loads or truck loads that is.
How far it goes
How much ground one ton (or tonne) covers at your depth.
Delivery advice
Whether bags, bulk bags or a truck load makes most sense. Tick Restricted access if a truck can’t reach the spot to see how many wheelbarrow trips that means.
Cost estimate
Type the supplier’s price and pick its unit (per ton, per bag, and so on). Add delivery and tax if you like. It shows the total.
Weed fabric
How much weed membrane to put under the gravel, with extra for overlaps.
Show the math and Before you order
See the sum step by step using your numbers, plus a short checklist of questions to ask your supplier.
Orange warning boxes mean your material doesn’t suit your project, for example round pea gravel on a driveway. Read them and consider the stone they suggest.
7Which gravel? Depth and material guide
| Project | Depth | Good choice |
|---|---|---|
| Flower bed / border | 2 to 3 in (50 to 75 mm) | Pea gravel, river rock, slate or marble chips |
| Garden path | 2 to 3 in (50 mm) | #8 stone / 10mm gravel, decomposed granite |
| Patio | 3 to 4 in (75 to 100 mm) | Decomposed granite, pea gravel |
| New driveway | 4 to 6 in base + 2 to 3 in top | Base: crusher run / MOT Type 1 / road base. Top: #57 stone / 20mm gravel |
| Driveway top-up | 1 to 2 in (25 to 50 mm) | #57 stone / 20mm gravel |
| Parking area | 6 to 8 in (150 to 200 mm) | Crusher run |
| Shed or hot tub base | 4 to 6 in (100 to 150 mm) | Crusher run |
| French drain | Full trench depth | Clean #57 stone / 20mm gravel |
| Farm road | 8 to 12 in (200 to 300 mm) | Crusher run or pit run |
Rule of thumb: stone with fines (crusher run, MOT Type 1, road base) packs down hard and goes underneath. Clean, round or decorative stone goes on top or in beds.
8Words explained
Cubic yard (yd³)
A block 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft. The usual US unit for buying gravel by volume.
Cubic metre (m³)
A block 1 m x 1 m x 1 m. About 1.3 cubic yards.
Ton vs tonne
A US ton is 2,000 lb (907 kg). A metric tonne is 1,000 kg. They are close but not the same.
Fines
Tiny bits and dust mixed into crushed stone. They fill the gaps so the gravel packs down solid.
Bulk bag
A large sack (about 850 kg to 1 tonne) dropped off by crane or forklift.
Loose load
Gravel tipped straight off a dump truck. Usually the cheapest way to buy a lot.
Quick example
- Choose the Area tab. Set Project type to Garden path.
- Tap Rectangle. Type Length 30 ft and Width 3 ft.
- The depth is already set to 2 in.
- Read What to order: about 1 cubic yard, or about 1.4 tons. Tell your supplier that figure.
The maths
How Much Gravel Do I Need? The Formula
Every gravel estimate uses the same three steps.
Step 1: Find the volume in cubic feet
Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft) = cubic feet. To turn inches into feet, divide by 12. For example, 6 inches is 0.5 ft.
Step 2: Convert to cubic yards
Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards (one cubic yard is 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft).
Step 3: Convert to tons
Cubic yards x density (tons per cubic yard) = tons.
Worked example: 24 ft x 14 ft area, 6 inches deep
- 24 x 14 = 336 sq ft
- 336 x 0.5 ft = 168 cubic feet
- 168 ÷ 27 = 6.22 cubic yards
- 6.22 x 1.4 = about 8.7 tons
- Add 10% extra: order about 6.8 cubic yards or 9.6 tons
A common mix-up is cubic yards vs square yards. A square yard is only area (3 ft x 3 ft). Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons), so depth always matters.
Weights
How Many Tons in a Yard of Gravel?
Most gravel weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard (about 2,600 to 3,000 lb) when dry. Crushed stone with fines is heavier than washed, single-size stone. Here are typical values:
| Gravel type | Tons per cubic yard | Tonnes per m³ | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | 1.66 | Paths, play areas, patios |
| #57 crushed stone (20mm) | 1.35 | 1.60 | Driveway top layer, drainage |
| #8 stone (10mm) | 1.30 | 1.55 | Thin top dressing |
| Crusher run / MOT Type 1 / road base | 1.50 | 1.78 | Driveway and slab base |
| 3/4″ minus / DGA | 1.50 | 1.78 | Compacted base or surface |
| River rock | 1.35 | 1.60 | Borders, beds, dry creeks |
| Decomposed granite | 1.40 | 1.65 | Paths and patios |
Wet gravel weighs more. Stone loaded after rain can weigh 10% more or even close to 2 tons per yard. If you buy by the ton, you pay for that water. When buying by weight, ask if the stockpile is dry, and always ask for the scale ticket.
Coverage
Gravel Coverage Chart
How much area does one cubic yard or one ton of gravel cover? This depends only on depth.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers (at 1.4 t/yd³) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 231 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 39 sq ft |
A ton of gravel covers less than most people expect. At 4 inches deep, one ton covers roughly a 7.5 ft x 7.5 ft square.
Driveways
How Much Gravel for a Driveway?
A driveway needs more thought than a garden bed, because the gravel has to carry weight and drain water. Start with these typical sizes:
- Single-car driveway: 10 to 12 ft wide
- Double-car driveway: 18 to 20 ft wide
- New driveway: 4 to 6 inches of base plus 2 to 3 inches of top stone
- Top-up of an existing driveway: 1 to 2 inches
Example: 100 ft long, 10 ft wide, 4 inches deep
100 x 10 x 0.333 = 333 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 12.3 cubic yards, about 17 to 18.5 tons. With 10% extra, order around 13.5 yards or 19 to 20 tons.
A handy rule of thumb: a 12 ft wide driveway at 4 inches deep takes about 22 tons of crushed stone per 100 ft.
Build it in layers. For a new driveway, put down crusher run (also called crush and run, road base, DGA, class 5 gravel or MOT Type 1) and compact it. Then add a top layer of #57 or 3/4″ clean stone. The Driveway tab in our gravel calculator works out each layer on its own, so you can order the right amount of each material.
Tips from people who have done it
- Many owners order a full dump truck load (10 to 16 tons) for a driveway refresh. That’s often cheaper per ton than several small deliveries.
- Crown the driveway so it’s slightly higher in the middle. Standing water turns into potholes fast.
- Driveways usually need a top-up every few years as stone gets pushed into the soil.
Bases
How Much Gravel Under a Concrete Slab, Shed or Pavers?
A compacted gravel base stops slabs and pavers from cracking and sinking. Typical depths:
- Concrete slab or patio: 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone
- Shed or gravel pad: 4 to 6 inches, extending about 1 ft past the shed on each side
- Paver base: 4 inches for walkways and patios, 6 to 8 inches for areas cars drive on
- French drain: fill the trench around the pipe with clean #57 stone (no fines, so water flows through)
Base gravel should have fines (small particles and stone dust) so it locks together when compacted. Use a higher compaction allowance (around 15%) for this type of gravel, because it settles when compacted.
Pea gravel
How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need?
Pea gravel is round, smooth stone about 3/8 inch across. It’s the most popular gravel for paths, patios and play areas.
- Paths and walkways: 2 to 3 inches deep
- Patios and seating areas: 3 to 4 inches
- Play areas: deeper layers for cushioning (check the safety guidance for your equipment)
Example: A 10 ft x 10 ft patio at 3 inches deep needs 25 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards (about 1.3 tons) of pea gravel.
One warning: pea gravel rolls under tyres and feet because the stones are round. It isn’t a good choice for driveways or anywhere you need a firm surface. Use crushed stone there instead.
Bags
How Many Bags of Gravel Do I Need?
For small jobs, bagged gravel is easier to carry and handle. Common bag sizes:
- 0.5 cubic foot bag: 54 bags make one cubic yard. Each bag covers about 3 sq ft at 2 inches deep.
- 50 lb bag: 40 bags make one ton.
- UK and Ireland: 20 to 25 kg bags, or bulk bags of around 850 kg.
As a rule, bags make sense for jobs under about half a ton. Between roughly half a ton and 3 tons, bulk bags work well. Above that, a loose load from a truck is usually the cheapest option. The calculator shows all three, so you can compare.
Choosing
Choosing the Right Gravel
The biggest mistake people make isn’t the amount. It’s the type. On forums, homeowners often describe ordering clean, single-size stone like #8 or 3/8″ chip for a driveway base, then finding that it never firms up. Stone without fines doesn’t lock together, and more than about an inch of it feels like walking on beach sand.
- Needs to be firm (driveway base, slab base, shed pad): crushed stone with fines, such as crusher run, 3/4″ minus, road base or MOT Type 1.
- Needs to drain or look good (top layer, drains, beds): clean stone without fines, such as #57, pea gravel or river rock.
Common Gravel Ordering Mistakes
- Forgetting depth units. Entering 6 as feet instead of inches gives you 12 times too much.
- Ordering the exact amount. Gravel spills and settles. Running short means paying a second delivery fee, so add 10%.
- Comparing prices by the wrong unit. One supplier’s cheap price per ton can cost more per yard than another’s. Convert both quotes to the same unit before choosing (the Compare tab does this).
- Not checking truck access. Dump trucks need width and overhead clearance, and they can sink into soft ground.
- Guessing driveway width. Measure it. Width changes the total more than any other number.
Metric
Gravel in Cubic Metres and Tonnes (UK, Ireland, Australia)
In metric countries, the formula is:
Length (m) x Width (m) x Depth (m) = cubic metres
Cubic metres x 1.6 to 1.8 = tonnes
Example: a 5 m x 5 m area at 50 mm deep = 5 x 5 x 0.05 = 1.25 m³, about 2 tonnes of gravel. That’s roughly two 1-tonne bulk bags in the UK, or a few trailer loads in Australia (a 6×4 box trailer safely holds about 0.5 m³ of stone).
As a guide, 1 tonne of gravel covers about 11 to 13 m² at 50 mm deep. The gravel calculator switches to metric automatically for visitors from metric countries, and you can switch it yourself at any time.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length x width x depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, an area of 20 ft x 10 ft at 3 inches deep is 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards. Add 10% and order about 2 yards.
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Work out cubic yards first, then multiply by 1.4 for most gravel, or 1.5 for crusher run and road base. 5 cubic yards of pea gravel is about 7 tons.
How many yards are in a ton of gravel?
One ton of gravel is about 0.7 cubic yards, since most gravel weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per yard.
How many tons of pea gravel do I need?
Pea gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 100 sq ft area at 3 inches deep needs 0.93 cubic yards, or about 1.3 tons.
How much gravel do I need for a 100 ft driveway?
For a 10 ft wide driveway at 4 inches deep, you need about 12.3 cubic yards, or 17 to 18.5 tons. For 12 ft wide, it’s about 22 tons. Add 10% for waste.
How much does a 0.5 cubic foot bag of gravel cover?
About 3 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 2 square feet at 3 inches. You need 54 bags for one cubic yard.
Is this gravel calculator accurate?
The volume maths is exact. Weight depends on the stone and its moisture, so treat tons as a close estimate and check the density with your supplier for large orders. The 10% extra covers normal differences.
Ready to Order Your Gravel?
Enter your measurements and get the exact amount to tell your supplier, in yards, tons, m³ or bags.