Gravel Calculator

To calculate how much gravel you need, measure the length and width of your project area in feet to get the square footage (Length × Width). Multiply the square footage by your desired depth in feet (depth in inches divided by 12) to calculate cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, and multiply cubic yards by material density (typically 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone) to determine weight in tons. Always add a 10% safety buffer for compaction and settling.

A 10×10 foot area covers 100 square feet. At a standard 3-inch depth (0.25 ft), you need 25 cubic feet (approx. 0.93 cubic yards). Factoring in a 10% compaction buffer, you will need approximately 1.02 cubic yards, which equals about 1.43 tons (2,860 lbs) of #57 crushed stone or roughly 57 fifty-pound retail bags.

To calculate #57 gravel (3/4-inch clean crushed stone), determine the volume of your trench or driveway in cubic yards (Length × Width × Depth in feet ÷ 27) and multiply by the bulk density factor of 1.40 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lbs/yd³). For example, a 20-foot by 10-foot parking pad at 4 inches depth requires 2.47 cubic yards × 1.40 = 3.46 tons of #57 gravel.

One ton (2,000 lbs) of standard crushed stone equals approximately 0.71 cubic yards (19.3 cubic feet). At a 2-inch depth, 1 ton covers approximately 115 to 120 square feet; at a 3-inch depth, it covers about 75 to 80 square feet; and at a 4-inch driveway depth, 1 ton covers approximately 55 to 60 square feet.

The standard formula for gravel quantity is: Volume in Cubic Yards = (Length in feet × Width in feet × Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. To find weight in tons: Tons = Volume in Cubic Yards × Material Density in tons/yd³ (usually 1.40). Finally, multiply by 1.10 to account for a 10% compaction and grade settling factor.

To calculate cubic feet (ft³), multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft). If your depth is measured in inches, divide the inches by 12 first. For example, a garden path 30 feet long and 3 feet wide at 2 inches deep is calculated as: 30 ft × 3 ft × (2 ÷ 12 ft) = 15 cubic feet.

Since one short ton equals 2,000 lbs, exactly 40 fifty-pound (50 lb) bags equal 1 ton of gravel. For standard 0.5-cubic-foot bags, you need approximately 54 bags to make up 1 cubic yard (approx. 1.4 tons).

Two tons (4,000 lbs) of crushed gravel provides approximately 1.43 cubic yards (38.6 cubic feet) of material. At a 2-inch depth (garden path), 2 tons will cover roughly 230 to 240 square feet; at a 3-inch depth (patio), it covers about 150 to 160 square feet; and at a 4-inch depth (driveway), it covers approximately 110 to 120 square feet.

For a 1,000 square foot area: At 2 inches depth, you need approx. 8.6 tons (6.2 cu yds); at 3 inches depth, you need approx. 13.0 tons (9.3 cu yds); and at 4 inches depth (standard driveway), you need approx. 17.3 tons (12.3 cu yds) of crushed stone, including a 10% compaction allowance.

In the United States, plain crushed stone or gravel averages $35 to $65 per ton picked up at a quarry or landscape depot, making 3 tons of material cost approximately $105 to $195. With bulk delivery fees (typically $50 to $100 depending on distance), total delivered cost for 3 tons usually ranges from $160 to $300. Premium decorative gravels (like Mexican beach pebble or marble chips) cost $100 to $180 per ton.

Ten tons of crushed stone equals approximately 7.1 cubic yards (about 193 cubic feet). Delivered by a standard single-axle or tandem-axle dump truck, 10 tons forms a neat conical pile approximately 12 to 14 feet in diameter at the base and 4 to 5 feet high. It is enough to cover a 600-square-foot driveway at a 4-inch compacted depth.

To find out exactly how much gravel you need, use our free YesMeasure Gravel Calculator. Select your shape (Rectangle, Circle, or Total Area), input your dimensions and desired depth, and choose your aggregate type. The calculator instantly displays total short tons, cubic yards, and 50-lb retail bag counts.

Our gravel calculator determines exact volumes in cubic yards (and cubic meters) and weights in tons (and metric tonnes) for any landscape or hardscape project. It includes automated 10% compaction buffers and real-time cost estimations based on price per ton or bag.

Building codes and concrete best practices recommend a 4-inch compacted sub-base of #57 crushed stone or dense-graded aggregate (crusher run) beneath residential concrete slabs and patios. For a 20×20 foot garage slab (400 sq ft), a 4-inch base requires approximately 5.0 cubic yards (7.0 tons) of gravel with compaction.

For pea gravel (3/8-inch rounded river pebble), calculate surface area in square feet and multiply by recommended depth (usually 2 to 3 inches for walkways and patios). Pea gravel has a bulk density of 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs/yd³). A 15×10 foot pea gravel patio at 3 inches depth requires 1.4 cubic yards (approx. 1.9 tons or 76 fifty-pound bags).

For standard freshwater aquariums, the general rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 pounds of aquarium gravel per gallon of tank capacity to achieve a standard 1.5 to 2-inch bed depth. For example: a 10-gallon tank requires 10 to 15 lbs of gravel, a 20-gallon tank requires 20 to 25 lbs, and a 55-gallon tank requires approximately 55 to 65 lbs.

For residential gravel driveways, plan for a total depth of 4 to 6 inches across two compacted layers (a coarse sub-base plus a #57 top dressing). For a standard 50-foot long by 10-foot wide driveway (500 sq ft) at 4 inches depth, you will need approximately 6.2 cubic yards or 8.7 tons of gravel with a 10% compaction allowance.

To calculate 50-lb retail bags: 1) Find total volume in cubic feet (Sq Ft × Depth in inches ÷ 12); 2) Divide cubic feet by 0.5 (since standard 50-lb bags contain approx. 0.5 cubic feet of stone); 3) Add 10% for settling. For example, a 50 sq ft garden bed at 2 inches depth requires 8.3 cu ft ÷ 0.5 = 17 to 18 bags.