Landscaping
Gravel Calculator
Enter your area's length, width and depth to find how many cubic yards, tons and cubic metres of gravel you need.
How to use the gravel calculator
Measure the area you want to cover in feet (length and width) and decide how deep the gravel layer should be in inches. For most driveways and paths a 2–3 inch depth works well; a deeper 4 inch base is common under pavers or for heavy traffic. Type the three numbers above and the gravel calculator instantly shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated tonnage and cubic metres.
How the math works
The calculation is a simple volume, converted into the units suppliers use. Depth is in inches, so it is divided by 12 to turn it into feet before multiplying:
- Cubic feet = length × width × (depth ÷ 12)
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 (there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard)
- Tons (≈) = cubic yards × 1.4 (typical gravel weighs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard)
- Cubic metres = cubic feet × 0.0283168
Worked example. For a 10 ft × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep: cubic feet = 10 × 10 × (2 ÷ 12) = 16.7 ft³. Divide by 27 and you get about 0.62 cubic yards, which is roughly 0.87 tons and 0.47 cubic metres of gravel.
Gravel coverage reference
| Area (ft) | Depth | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 2 in | 0.62 |
| 10 × 10 | 4 in | 1.23 |
| 20 × 20 | 2 in | 2.47 |
| 20 × 20 | 3 in | 3.70 |
| 30 × 12 | 4 in | 4.44 |
Because the weight of gravel depends on stone size, moisture and type (pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock), order a little extra and confirm the supplier's density when buying by the ton.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (with depth in feet), then divide by 27. For a 10 × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep that's about 0.62 cubic yards. Enter your own measurements above for an instant figure.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Typical gravel weighs roughly 1.4 US tons per cubic yard, so the calculator uses that factor. Heavier crushed stone can be 1.5 tons or more, so confirm density with your supplier.
How deep should a gravel layer be?
Paths and decorative beds usually need 2 inches, driveways 3–4 inches, and a load-bearing base under pavers around 4 inches. Deeper layers need proportionally more gravel.
Does the calculator account for gravel type?
It estimates tonnage at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a sensible average. Pea gravel, river rock and crushed limestone differ slightly, so use the cubic-yard figure as the most reliable number.
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