Gravel Calculator

Estimate gravel, crushed stone, road base, or sub-base by area and compacted depth — including cubic yards, tons, bags, and cost.

Gravel Calculator

Estimate how much you need — and the cost.

Area shape
You need
0.62 cubic yards
≈ 34 bags
Also equals
  • cubic feet 16.67
  • cubic meters 0.472
  • tons (US) 0.93
  • tonnes 0.84

Road base and sub-base calculator

For a road, driveway, or hardscape sub-base, enter the compacted footprint and the finished compacted depth. The calculator converts that volume to both cubic yards and tons using a typical crushed-stone density of 1.5 US tons per cubic yard.

Aggregate density, required lift depth, and compaction vary by gradation and site conditions. Confirm the specified compacted depth and supplier conversion before ordering, then add the project allowance your installer recommends.

Volume formula
sq ft × depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards
BuildCalc density
1.5 US tons per cubic yard
100 sq ft at 4 in
about 1.23 yd³ or 1.85 US tons
Open the existing Shed Base Calculator →

Quick coverage reference

1 cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in / about 162 sq ft at 2 in deep; about 1.5 US tons per cubic yard (typically 1.4–1.7).

How it's calculated

  • Crushed stone / gravel bulk density is about 2800–3400 lb/cu yd (about 1.4–1.7 US tons/cu yd); it varies with grain size and moisture. We use the midpoint 3000.
  • Walkways / landscape surface: 2 in; driveway surface: 3–4 in (thicker with a base layer); drainage or backfill per project.

Source: inchcalculator.com/gravel-calculator/ (density 1.4–1.7 US tons/cu yd cross-checked)

Common gravel uses

for Driveways for Walkways for Patio Base for Fire Pits for Shed Bases

Embed this calculator on your site

Free to use — copy the code below into your page. It includes a small attribution link back to BuildCalc.

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How much gravel do I need?

Gravel and crushed stone are sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. To estimate, multiply the area you're covering by the depth of the gravel layer.

Use cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. A landscape or path layer is usually about 2 inches, where one cubic yard covers roughly 162 sq ft; driveways go deeper. Gravel weighs around 1.5 short tons per cubic yard (typically 1.4–1.7 depending on stone size), so the calculator also gives tons for ordering by weight.

How to measure for gravel

Measure the area

Length × width for the area. For a driveway, measure the full drivable surface; for a round fire-pit area or a gravel border, switch the area shape above to Circle or Border.

Choose the depth

2 inches for paths and decorative coverage; 3–4 inches for a driving surface, more if you are building up a base.

Get yards and tons

Read cubic yards plus the weight in tons — gravel is frequently sold by the ton at the quarry.

Order a little extra

Gravel settles into the soil and compacts. Add around 10% so the finished depth holds up.

Gravel depth & buying tips

Layer for driveways

A solid gravel driveway is built in layers — a coarser base topped with finer stone — so total depth is often 4 inches or more.

Stone size matters

Larger stone resists ruts but is harder to walk on; smaller gravel and crusher run pack down into a firmer surface.

Buy by the ton for big jobs

Driveways and large areas are cheapest delivered by the ton — use the tons figure to compare supplier pricing.

Gravel calculator FAQ

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

Gravel weighs about 2,800–3,400 lb per cubic yard — roughly 1.4–1.7 short tons, depending on the stone size and moisture.

How much does a yard of gravel cover?

One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 108 sq ft at 3 inches.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

Plan on 4 inches or more for a driving surface, usually built up in a coarse base layer and a finer top layer.

How many tons of gravel do I need?

Multiply your cubic yards by about 1.5. For example, 3 cubic yards is roughly 4.5 tons. The calculator does this for you.

Is gravel cheaper by the ton or the yard?

For large amounts, buying by the ton (delivered) is usually cheapest. Bagged gravel only makes sense for very small projects.