Gravel Calculator
Estimate the amount of gravel, crushed stone, or river rock needed for driveways, paths, or drainage. Calculates volume in cubic yards and tons needed.
Calculation Results
Total volume of gravel needed including waste.
Estimated tonnage of gravel based on material density.
How This Calculator Works
To calculate gravel materials:
- Enter the length and width of the path or driveway.
- Enter the desired depth of the gravel layer (typically 2-3 inches for walkways, 4-6 inches for driveways).
- Specify the material density (dry gravel averages 95-105 lbs/cu ft; damp or compacted gravel can reach 115-125 lbs/cu ft).
- Include a waste buffer (10% is standard to account for compaction and shifting into the soil).
Formula & Calculations
Gravel volume is calculated by multiplying length, width, and depth together:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
To convert from cubic feet to tons, the volume is multiplied by the material density. The standard density for general gravel is approximately 105 lbs per cubic foot (about 2,835 lbs or 1.4 tons per cubic yard).
The calculation is:
Weight (Tons) = Volume (Cubic Feet) × Density (lbs/cu ft) / 2,000
Step-by-Step Calculation Examples
Typical Driveway (20ft x 10ft x 4in)
Calculating gravel for a small parking driveway with a 10% waste buffer.
- length: 20
- width: 10
- depth: 4
- density: 105
- waste: 10
- volume: 2.72 cu yd
- weight: 3.85 tons
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should gravel be for a driveway?
A gravel driveway should have a total depth of 4 to 6 inches, poured in multiple layers. The base layer uses larger stones, and the top layer uses smaller crushed gravel mixed with dust for stability.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
One ton of typical gravel covers about 80 to 100 square feet at a depth of 2 inches, or 40 to 50 square feet at a depth of 4 inches.