Gravel Calculator – Estimate Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags
Enter your project dimensions to estimate how much gravel you need.
Related Tools
More ways to plan and estimate your gravel project.
- Driveway Gravel CalculatorEstimate gravel for an existing or new driveway.
- Gravel Cost CalculatorEstimate material and delivery costs using local prices.
- Gravel Coverage CalculatorSee how much area a given amount of gravel will cover.
- Tons to Cubic YardsConvert gravel weight and volume by material type.
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Gravel is estimated by volume. Multiply the area you are covering by the depth of gravel, then convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27. For a 20 ft × 12 ft patio at 3 in. deep: 20 × 12 × 0.25 = 60 cubic feet, or about 2.22 cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the material density to get weight in tons.
Gravel Depth by Project
These are common starting points, not universal construction requirements. Depth depends on soil, drainage, traffic, and local practice — always edit the depth to match your project.
| Project | Typical starting depth |
|---|---|
| Landscaping bed | About 2–3 in. |
| Walkway | About 2–3 in. |
| Patio base | About 3–4 in., depending on design |
| Existing driveway top-up | Depth you plan to add — no fixed figure |
| New or rebuilt driveway | Varies widely; use your project design |
Gravel Density by Material
| Material | Density (tons/yd³) |
|---|---|
| General Gravel | 1.50 |
| Crushed Stone | 1.50 |
| Pea Gravel | 1.35 |
| River Rock | 1.20 |
| Limestone Gravel | 1.50 |
Cubic Yards vs. Tons
Cubic yards measure volume — the space the gravel fills. Tons measure weight. Suppliers may sell either way, so both matter. Converting between them requires a density figure, and density changes with stone size, composition, and moisture. See tons to cubic yards for a quick two-way converter.
Bags vs. Bulk Gravel
Bagged gravel is convenient for small areas, spot repairs, and projects you can carry in a car. A standard 0.5 cu. ft. bag covers very little ground: one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, or 54 of those bags. Once you need more than roughly 50 bags, bulk delivery may be more economical and can significantly reduce handling.
Common Gravel Questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 50 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 in. deep needs about 7.41 cubic yards before any extra allowance.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Many common gravels fall around 1.2–1.5 tons per cubic yard, but actual weight varies by material, stone size, moisture, and supplier. This calculator uses transparent default densities that you can review in the methodology.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
Many gravels weigh roughly 2,400–3,000 lb per cubic yard, but actual weight can vary with stone type, moisture, particle size, and compaction.
How much extra gravel should I order?
A 10% extra-material allowance is a common planning default for settling, compaction, uneven ground, and measurement uncertainty. You can change this percentage in Advanced Options.
How many bags of gravel do I need?
Divide your recommended cubic feet by the bag volume and round up. For weight-based bags, convert recommended tons to pounds and divide by the bag weight.
How deep should gravel be?
It depends on the project and the site. Decorative beds and walkways are often shallow; driveways and patio bases are deeper and are usually built in compacted layers. See how our calculations work for the assumptions behind every figure.