Free Contractor Tool
Gravel Calculator
Enter length, width, and depth to instantly get how much gravel you need in cubic yards and tons. Add multiple areas, pick your gravel type, and enter a price for an instant material cost estimate.
Build Contractor Proposals Faster
Calculate How Much Gravel You Need
Choose your gravel type, enter the length, width, and depth of each area, and get cubic yards and tons instantly. Add a price per ton or per cubic yard for a cost estimate. Results update as you type.
Sets the density used to convert cubic yards into tons. Confirm exact density with your supplier.
Areas to cover
Enables the material cost estimate.
Gravel needed
Cubic yards
1.23
Tons
1.73
Cubic feet
33.33
Est. cost
Enter a price above
Gravel type
Crushed Stone #57
Density used
1.4 tons/yd³
Areas added
1
Gravel Density Reference Table
Approximate weight per cubic yard for common gravel and aggregate types. Use these values to convert volume into tons, and confirm the exact density with your local supplier before ordering.
How much gravel do I need?
Start by measuring the length and width of the area in feet, then pick a depth. Multiply length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by the gravel density to get tons. This calculator handles every step and sums multiple areas for you.
A quick rule of thumb: at 2 inches deep, one ton of gravel covers about 100 square feet. Order roughly 5–10% extra to account for compaction, spreading, and uneven subgrade.
How deep should the gravel be?
For walkways, garden paths, and decorative ground cover, 2 inches is usually enough. For a gravel driveway, plan on about 4 inches of base gravel or crusher run, then a 1–2 inch top layer of angular stone that locks in place.
Driveways over soft or clay soil often need 6 inches or more of total gravel, installed in compacted lifts. Deeper installs and multiple layers mean more material — add each layer as its own area in the calculator above.
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Common Questions About Gravel Quantities
How do you calculate how much gravel you need?
Measure length and width in feet and choose a depth in inches. Multiply length × width × (depth ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the gravel's density — about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for most stone — to get tons. This calculator does the math and sums multiple areas.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for most gravel. Pea gravel and crushed stone #57 are near 1.4, base gravel or crusher run is denser at about 1.5, and river rock and sand run closer to 1.35. Moisture and stone type change the exact weight, so confirm density with your supplier.
How deep should gravel be?
For paths and decorative cover, 2 inches is typical. For a driveway, use about 4 inches of base gravel plus a 1–2 inch top layer of angular stone. Soft-soil or heavy-traffic driveways may need 6 inches or more, installed in compacted lifts.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 2-inch depth, one ton of gravel covers roughly 100 square feet. At 4 inches it covers about 50 square feet, and at 1 inch about 200 square feet. Coverage varies with stone size and density, so use your exact dimensions in the calculator.
How much is a cubic yard of gravel?
Delivered gravel typically runs about $30 to $60 per cubic yard, or roughly $20 to $45 per ton, depending on stone type, region, and delivery distance. Enter your local price per ton or per cubic yard above for a total material cost estimate.
What is the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone #57?
Pea gravel is small, rounded 3/8-inch stone that is comfortable underfoot but shifts because it does not interlock. Crushed stone #57 is angular 3/4-inch rock that locks together and stays put, making it better for driveways, drainage, and base layers. Both weigh close to 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
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SubcontractorHub helps contractors turn field measurements into accurate proposals, present financing, and close jobs on-site — built for the way contractor sales actually works.
Book a Free DemoGravel quantities are estimates based on the densities shown and the dimensions entered. Actual weight varies with stone type, moisture, and compaction. Confirm density and coverage with your supplier, and order extra material to account for spreading and settling.