Gravel Calculator
Work out how much gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel or sand you need for a driveway, path or drainage bed. Enter the length, width and depth, and the calculator gives the volume in cubic yards and the weight in tons using the real density of the material you pick, plus a compaction margin and cost estimate.
0.68 yd³ (0.95 tons)
18.33 ft³ · density used: 103.7 lb/ft³
Before waste: 0.62 yd³ (1,901 lb). Order a little extra for compaction and spillage.
Densities are medians of published ranges per material (gravel ≈ 2,800 lb/yd³, crushed stone ≈ 2,700 lb/yd³, pea gravel ≈ 2,600 lb/yd³, dry sand ≈ 2,700 lb/yd³). How we calculate →
How do you calculate the amount of gravel needed?
Measure the length and width of the area in feet, and the depth in inches. Volume in cubic feet is length × width × (depth ÷ 12), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A 10 ft × 10 ft path at 2 inches deep is about 1.85 ft³ of coverage per square foot × area ÷ 27 ≈ 0.62 yd³.
Because gravel is sold by weight (the ton) almost everywhere, the calculator also converts that volume into tons using the density of the material you pick — gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel or sand each weigh differently.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
It depends on the material: standard bank-run or crushed gravel is about 2,800 lb per cubic yard (1.4 tons), crushed stone (like #57 or #8) runs close to 2,700 lb (1.35 tons), pea gravel is lighter at roughly 2,600 lb (1.3 tons), and dry sand sits near 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) — wet sand is heavier still. Using the wrong material's density is the single biggest source of over- or under-ordering.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
A ton of typical gravel (around 1.4 tons/yd³) covers roughly 80–100 ft² at a 2-inch depth, or about 40–50 ft² at 4 inches. The exact figure depends on the material's density and how deep you're spreading it, so it's more reliable to calculate volume first and convert to weight, which is exactly what this calculator does.
Should you add extra for compaction?
Yes — loose gravel compacts once it's driven or walked on, and delivery volumes are rarely exact, so a 5–15% margin is standard practice for driveways, paths and drainage beds. Set your own waste percentage above; it's applied to both the volume and the weight/cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 area?
At 2 inches deep, a 10 ft × 10 ft area needs about 100 × (2/12) = 16.7 ft³, or 0.62 yd³ — roughly 0.8–0.9 tons depending on the material. At 4 inches deep it's about 1.23 yd³ (≈1.6–1.8 tons). Enter your exact depth and material above for a precise figure.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on the material: roughly 1.4 tons for gravel, 1.35 for crushed stone or dry sand, and 1.3 for pea gravel. There is no single universal number — density varies enough between materials that the ton figure should always be paired with the material you're buying.
What's the difference between gravel, crushed stone and pea gravel for a driveway?
Gravel (bank-run) and crushed stone compact well and are the standard driveway base material; crushed stone with angular edges locks together more firmly. Pea gravel is smooth, rounded and lighter — comfortable for paths but it shifts underfoot and isn't recommended as a structural base.
How much does gravel delivery cost?
Bulk gravel typically runs $15–$75 per ton before delivery, depending on material and region (2026 figures) — pea gravel and specialty stone cost more than bank-run gravel. Enter a price per ton above to estimate your total for the tonnage this calculator computes.
How much gravel do I need for a French drain or drainage bed?
A typical drainage trench uses a 4–6 inch bed of clean crushed stone (like #57) along the pipe run. Multiply the trench length by its width and use a 4–6 inch depth above to get the volume and tonnage for your specific dimensions.
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →