R
Real Gravel.

Gravel Calculator

Calculate gravel quantity in cubic yards, US tons, pounds, and retail bags. Includes waste allowance, density selection, and cost estimation.

Interactive Dimension BlueprintDepth: 3"
Length: 20 ft10 ft
Pea Gravel (3/8" Smooth)•Includes 3D compacted volume estimate

1Project Shape & Dimensions

ft
ft

2Gravel Type & Density

Smooth, rounded stones naturally weathered by water. Ideal for barefoot walkways, patios, playground surrounds, and decorative garden beds.

Best for:Walkways & PathsPatio SurroundsGarden BedsDog RunsFlower Borders

3Gravel Depth & Compaction

Typical for Pea: 3"
inches depth
Recommended: 10%

Accounts for roller compaction settlement, uneven ground contours, and wheelbarrow spill.

Material & Delivery Cost Estimator

Ordering Checklist
  • Bulk delivery dump trucks usually require a 10–12 ft wide clearance path.
  • Always verify if your quarry quotes in Tons or Cubic Yards.
  • Order ~10% extra to prevent having to pay a second delivery fee for a half-ton deficit.

Quick Answer: How Much Gravel Do I Need?

To calculate gravel, multiply your Length × Width in feet to find square footage. Multiply square footage by your desired depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to estimate US tons. Always add 10% for compaction and subgrade settlement.

The Standard Gravel Calculation Formula

Every gravel calculation follows a strict three-dimensional volumetric formula normalized to US customary cubic yards (27 cubic feet per yard):

Step 1 (Area): Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)

Step 2 (Depth): Depth (ft) = Depth (inches) ÷ 12

Step 3 (Volume): Volume (cu ft) = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft)

Step 4 (Yards): Cubic Yards = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 27

Step 5 (Weight): US Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density (tons/yd³)

Step 6 (Order): Order Quantity = Calculated Volume × 1.10 (+10% Allowance)

Gravel Coverage Matrix: Square Feet per Cubic Yard & Ton

How much area does one cubic yard or ton of gravel cover? Use this quick-reference matrix based on an average aggregate density of 1.42 tons per cubic yard:

Layer Depth Coverage per 1 Cubic Yard Coverage per 1 US Ton Typical Application
1 Inch (2.5 cm) 324 sq. ft. ~228 sq. ft. Top dressing existing beds, mulch refresh
2 Inches (5.0 cm) 162 sq. ft. ~114 sq. ft. Light garden paths, weed suppression beds
3 Inches (7.5 cm) 108 sq. ft. ~76 sq. ft. Standard walkways, patio surfaces, fire pits
4 Inches (10.0 cm) 81 sq. ft. ~57 sq. ft. Driveway surface layer, shed slab base
6 Inches (15.0 cm) 54 sq. ft. ~38 sq. ft. Heavy vehicle driveway subbase, French drains

Bulk Delivery vs. Bagged Gravel: When to Switch?

A common homeowner dilemma is deciding between buying bagged gravel at a hardware store versus ordering a dump truck delivery from a quarry:

  • Under 0.5 Cubic Yards (< 27 bags): Buy retail bags (0.5 cu ft). Bagged gravel is convenient for small patch jobs and easy to transport in an SUV trunk without paying a $50–$90 dump truck delivery fee.
  • Over 1.0 Cubic Yard (> 54 bags): Order bulk aggregate. Buying 54 retail bags costs $240+ and requires lifting 2,500+ lbs by hand. A local quarry will dump 1.5 cubic yards directly in your driveway for ~$90 to $130 total including delivery.

Why You Must Include a 10% to 15% Compaction Allowance

Calculated geometric volume is theoretical. In the field, gravel volume shrinks due to three real-world factors:

  1. Mechanical Compaction: Vibratory plate compactors and heavy tire traffic force smaller stones into interstitial voids, reducing overall loose volume by 8% to 15%.
  2. Subgrade Settlement: Loose aggregate presses down into soft native soil or lawn subgrades.
  3. Grade Irregularities: Ground excavations are rarely laser-flat; low spots require extra aggregate thickness to achieve a level finished plane.
📚 Expert Aggregate & Sizing FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Calculating Gravel

Answers to common mathematical, density, bag count, and specialized project aggregate queries.

•
Quick Answer:Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324 to get Cubic Yards. Multiply Cubic Yards by 1.4 to 1.5 to get US Tons, then add 10% for compaction.

To calculate gravel quantity for any project:

  1. Calculate Square Footage: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft).
  2. Determine Volume in Cubic Feet: Multiply Square Footage by Depth in feet (Depth in inches ÷ 12).
  3. Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide Cubic Feet by 27. The shortcut formula is: (Length × Width × Depth in inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards.
  4. Convert to US Tons: Multiply Cubic Yards by the bulk density of your material (typically 1.4 to 1.5 tons/yd³ for standard gravel or crushed stone).
  5. Add Safety Factor: Multiply total tons or yards by 1.10 (+10%) to account for subgrade settlement and mechanical compaction.
Calculate gravel volume & tonsVerified Civil & Aggregate Standard

Have a specialized project or non-standard aggregate shape? Use our Multi-Area Gravel Calculator to customize bulk densities and custom dimensions.