Gravel Calculator

This calculator turns a driveway, path, drainage strip, or sub-base area into a gravel volume and estimated delivery weight. Use it after choosing the compacted layer depth and before asking a quarry or landscape yard for a delivered price. It does not choose the correct aggregate, allow automatically for compaction, or include excavation, geotextile, edging, spreading, and machine hire. US results show cubic yards and short tons; UK results show cubic metres and metric tonnes, with depth entered in inches or centimetres. Stone density varies enough to move the final load, so give your dimensions and calculated volume to the supplier and ask them to confirm the tonnage for the exact crushed stone or gravel product.

How this is calculated

Like concrete, gravel volume is length × width × depth. Because gravel is priced and delivered by weight rather than volume in most of the US and UK, this calculator converts the volume to an estimated tonnage using a typical compacted-gravel density.

Density varies by material — crushed limestone, pea gravel, and river rock all settle differently — so the weight shown here is a planning estimate. Your supplier can give an exact figure for the specific material you're ordering.

Enter the finished compacted depth, then increase the order if the yard quotes loose volume and expects settlement during rolling. For a driveway built in two grades, calculate the structural base and decorative surface as separate layers.

Irregular areas are best split into rectangles and added together. Curves, soft spots, and an uneven formation can consume more stone than a single length × width rectangle suggests.

Formula & methodology

Volume = Length × Width × Depth. Weight (US tons) ≈ Volume (yd³) × 1.4. Weight (tonnes) ≈ Volume (m³) × 1.6.

Worked example

A 20 ft × 3 ft path, 3 in deep

1.Convert depth to feet: 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
2.Volume = 20 ft × 3 ft × 0.25 ft = 15 ft³
3.Cubic yards = 15 ÷ 27 = 0.56 yd³
4.Estimated weight = 0.56 × 1.4 ≈ 0.78 tons

Calculator

Enter your dimensions below. Results update as you type. Costs are planning ranges — confirm with a local supplier before you order.

Area dimensions

Length

Width

Depth

Typical: 4 in

Add cost details

Price per ton

Results

Gravel volume

0.74 yd³

Estimated weight

1.04 tons

Based on typical compacted-gravel density

Estimated material cost

$51 – $63

Density varies by material — confirm exact tonnage with your supplier.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should a gravel driveway be?

A single-layer gravel driveway is typically 4 inches (10 cm) deep; a full sub-base-and-topping build can run 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) across two layers.

Why does the calculator show weight instead of just volume?

Most gravel suppliers quote and deliver by the ton, not the cubic yard, so a weight estimate is more directly useful for ordering — the volume is shown too so you can sanity-check it.

Does gravel need compacting before I add a top layer?

Yes for driveways and paths that will bear weight — an uncompacted sub-base settles unevenly. Compaction can reduce the finished depth by 10–20%, which this calculator does not account for.

What's the difference between gravel and crushed stone for a base layer?

Crushed, angular stone locks together and compacts more stably than rounded gravel, which is why it's the more common choice under driveways and patios. Rounded pea gravel is more often used as a decorative top layer.

How much gravel for a 20-foot driveway?

Depends on width and depth. A 20 ft × 12 ft strip at 4 in deep is about 3 yd³ or roughly 4.2 tons. Enter your width — a single-car drive is often 10–12 ft wide.

Last updated 2026-07-01. Formulas are planning methods — confirm with a supplier before you order. See how we calculate and the disclaimer.