Gravel Calculator for Fire Pits
Estimate gravel to fill the base of a fire pit and surrounding area.
Gravel makes a safe, draining base inside and around a fire pit — usually about 4 inches. For a round pit, switch the area shape to Circle above and enter the diameter. The calculator starts at 4 inches.
Gravel Calculator
Estimate how much you need — and the cost.
- cubic feet 33.33
- cubic meters 0.944
- tons (US) 1.85
- tonnes 1.68
Tip: Use lava rock or dry crushed stone inside the pit — never river rock or wet gravel, which can crack or pop in heat.
How it's calculated
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).
See the full Gravel Calculator for the complete how-to, unit conversions, and data sources.
Gravel Calculator for Fire Pits FAQ
How much gravel for a fire pit?
Use the Circle shape and a 4-inch depth. A 4 ft diameter pit area (about 12.6 sq ft) needs roughly 0.16 cubic yards.
What kind of gravel goes in a fire pit?
Dry, dense stone like lava rock or crushed granite. Avoid porous or wet rocks that can trap steam and burst when heated.