Landscaping · Construction · Aggregate
Gravel
Calculator
Calculate cubic yards, tons, and cost of gravel, crushed stone, sand, or any aggregate. Supports rectangle, circle, multi-section projects, and 8 material types with accurate densities.
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Cubic Yards
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US Tons
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Est. Cost
Rectangle / Path
For garden paths, rectangular beds, patios, or any straight-sided area.
ft
ft
in
areas
Quick depth presets
Circle / Oval
For round fire pits, circular driveways, or oval garden features.
ft
ft
in
areas
Driveway / Multi-Section
Add multiple sections (main driveway + apron, curves, etc.) with a shared depth.
in
in (opt)
Volume → Weight Converter
Convert cubic yards to tons, or tons to cubic yards, for any aggregate material.
yd³
tons
Material Type
Cost Settings
$/ton
$/yd³
Cubic Yards
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cubic yards
US Tons
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Est. Cost
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Cubic Yards
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Cubic Feet
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US Tons
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Pounds
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Gravel Estimate
How to Calculate Gravel Quantity
To calculate gravel needed: measure length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material's density (tons per cubic yard) to get weight in tons.
Key Formulas
Volume (ft³) = Length × Width × Depth(ft) [depth ÷ 12 for inches]
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = Volume (yd³) × Density (tons/yd³)
Weight (lbs) = Weight (tons) × 2,000
Common densities (tons per cubic yard):
Pea gravel: 1.3–1.4 t/yd³
Crushed stone: 1.4–1.5 t/yd³
Crushed limestone: 1.5–1.6 t/yd³
Bank gravel: 1.3–1.4 t/yd³
Sand: 1.4–1.7 t/yd³
Concrete gravel: 1.5–1.6 t/yd³
1 yd³ ≈ 1.5 tons (general estimate for most gravel)
How much gravel do I need for a 10×10 area?
A 10×10 area at 4 inches deep: Volume = 10×10×(4/12) = 33.33 cu ft = 33.33/27 = 1.23 yd³. Weight (crushed stone at 1.5 t/yd³): 1.23 × 1.5 = 1.85 tons. At $45/ton, that's about $83. At 2 inches: 0.62 yd³, 0.93 tons. At 6 inches: 1.85 yd³, 2.78 tons. Always add 10–15% for settling and coverage variation.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A proper gravel driveway typically has two layers: base layer of 4–6 inches of larger crushed stone (#2 or #3 stone) for drainage and stability, then a top layer of 2–4 inches of smaller decorative gravel (pea gravel or #57 stone) for the surface. Total depth: 6–10 inches. For heavy vehicles (trucks, RVs), use 8–12 inches total. The base stone stabilizes and drains; the top layer provides the finished look. Using only one layer shortens driveway life significantly.
What is the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?
Pea gravel is naturally rounded, smooth river rock (typically 3/8 inch). It drains well, is comfortable underfoot, and is often used for paths, play areas, and decorative beds. It can shift and roll. Crushed stone is angular, machine-crushed limestone or granite. The jagged edges lock together, making it more stable for driveways and structural applications. Crushed stone compacts better. #57 crushed stone (about 3/4 inch) is the most common driveway material — stable, drains well, and relatively affordable.
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
A general rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.4–1.5 tons for most gravel. More precisely: pea gravel = 1.3–1.4 t/yd³, crushed stone = 1.4–1.5 t/yd³, crushed limestone = 1.5–1.6 t/yd³, decomposed granite = 1.4–1.5 t/yd³, sand = 1.5–1.7 t/yd³ (depending on moisture). Density varies because gravel contains air gaps (voids). Dry, loose gravel has more voids; compacted wet gravel has fewer.