Gravel Calculator
Size gravel for driveways, paths, and pads. Enter length, width, and depth — get cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons with an editable density and waste factor.
How gravel is measured
Landscape and driveway gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). Volume comes first: length × width × depth (in feet) gives cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. Tons = cubic yards × density. Typical crushed stone sits around 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard — this tool defaults to 1.4 so you can match your quarry ticket.
Coverage tips: a compacted driveway base often needs 4–6 inches of aggregate; garden paths and patio pads may only need 2–3 inches. Soft or wet soils sometimes need a thicker base or fabric underlay — ask a local supplier if the grade is questionable. Order for the finished (compacted) depth you want; loose dumps settle.
Waste factor: add 5–10% for irregular edges, compaction, and settling (default here is 10%). Irregular driveways and long edges lean toward the high end. Confirm density and delivery minimums with your supplier before you buy.
Worked example
A 50 × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep: depth = 4/12 = 0.333 ft → 50 × 12 × 0.333 ≈ 200 ft³ → ≈ 7.4 yd³. With 10% waste ≈ 8.1 yd³. At 1.4 tons/yd³ ≈ 11.4 tons. Plug the same numbers into the form below to double-check.
Related outdoor tools: mulch calculator, sod calculator, concrete calculator, and fence calculator. Browse every free QtyLab tool on the home page.
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Gravel calculator FAQ
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Often about 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone. Default here is 1.4 — change it to match your material or the weight printed on your delivery ticket.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Many gravel driveways use 4–6 inches of compacted aggregate (sometimes over a thicker base). Footpaths may need only 2–3 inches. Measure length and width of each section and add volumes if the layout isn’t a single rectangle.
Do I need a waste factor for gravel?
A 5–10% buffer helps with compaction, irregular edges, and settling. Default is 10%. Skip a high waste factor only for simple rectangular pads with a firm, level base.
Cubic yards or tons — which should I order?
Ask your supplier how they bill. Many landscape yards quote tons; ready-mix or bulk aggregate may quote yards. Use this calculator for both: set density to convert yards ↔ tons, then round up to the next delivery unit they sell.