Exact material estimates for every home & DIY project.

Gravel Calculator

A gravel calculator works out how much gravel you need for a driveway, path, drainage trench or garden bed — in cubic yards and tons — from the area and how deep you want it. It also shows a bag count for smaller jobs.

Your measurements

Result
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Gravel is sold both ways: in bulk (cubic yards or tons, delivered) for big areas, or bagged for small ones. Knowing the volume up front means one delivery, not two.

How it is calculated

Volume = area × depth, converted to cubic yards (÷ 27 cubic feet). Tons use an average gravel density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard; actual weight varies by stone type and moisture. Bag count assumes ~0.5 ft³ (50 lb) bags.

Steps

  1. Enter the area length and width, or a total area.
  2. Set the depth — about 2-3 in for paths, 4 in or more for a driveway base.
  3. Read the cubic yards and tons for a bulk order.
  4. Use the bag count instead for a small area.
  5. Add landscape fabric underneath to keep the gravel clean.

Worked example

A 20 × 10 ft area (200 sq ft) at 3 in deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards — roughly 2.6 tons.

Common questions

How much gravel do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth for the volume, then convert to cubic yards. The calculator also gives tons and bags.
How many tons in a yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard on average, though it varies by stone size and moisture.
How deep should gravel be?
Roughly 2-3 in for a path or top layer, and 4 in or more (often over a base) for a driveway.
Bulk or bags?
Bulk (by the yard or ton) is far cheaper for anything over about a cubic yard; bags suit small touch-ups.

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