Gravel Calculator
Gravel calculator for cubic yards, tons, and bags. Combine driveways or garden beds, use material density, and compare supplier minimum loads, delivery, and bag prices.
Enter measurements below. The result updates as you type.
Calculation breakdown
Geometry
Area = length x width
Base volume
20 cu ft before waste
Purchase volume
0.81 cu yd after 10% waste
Mass estimate
0.81 cu yd x 1.35 tons/cu yd
Installed sections
1 measured area(s), total 0.741 cu yd before allowances
Allowances
Loose order: +0% compaction volume, then +10% waste, applied separately
Supplier minimum / increment
Minimum 0 cu yd; increments 0 cu yd (blank/0 means exact order volume)
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Related calculators and guides
Open the project hub for nearby tools, measurement guidance, and published articles.
Formula explanation
Core gravel estimate basis
Area = length x width or pi x radius^2; volume = area x depth; mass = volume x density
- Depth must be converted to the same base unit before multiplying.
- Tonnage requires a material density value and should be treated as an estimate.
- Compare base volume with the waste-adjusted volume, and confirm actual supplier coverage or bulk-delivery sizes before ordering.
- When compacted depth requires additional loose material, multiply volume by (1 + supplier-informed compaction allowance), then apply waste separately.
- Bulk order in cubic yards = ceil(max(required yards, supplier minimum) / supplier increment) × increment when an increment is specified.
- Bulk pricing follows entered US short ton or cubic yard quote basis; bag pricing uses whole bags. Local delivery fees are included only if entered.
Worked example
Rectangular path example
20 ft long x 4 ft wide x 3 in deep
- 1Convert 3 inches to 0.25 feet.
- 2Multiply 20 x 4 x 0.25.
- 3Convert cubic feet to cubic yards if needed.
Base volume: 20 cubic feet (0.74 cubic yards). At 10% waste: 22 cubic feet (0.81 cubic yards), before applying density to estimate tons.
Estimate assumptions
Check these assumptions before ordering
- Rectangular and circular areas are supported in this calculator, including additional measured zones using the same aggregate product.
- Supplier minimum and increment rules change purchasable delivery quantities but not the measured project requirement.
- Bag prices are applied to either the supplied bag volume or bag weight; if both fields are entered, the bag quote uses volume.
- Cost comparison uses the exact prices and delivery fees entered by the user, excluding tax, unloading, labor and returns.
- Depth, compaction, and gravel type can materially change the final order quantity.
- Density presets are approximate planning defaults and remain editable.
Measurement checklist
How to measure
- For rectangular projects, measure the usable length and width of the area to be covered.
- For circular projects, measure the full diameter across the circle.
- Measure gravel depth separately and use a compacted finished depth when that is what you need to order for.
- For multiple paths or beds using the same material, add each section with its own depth and dimensions.
- Ask your supplier whether they sell loose material by cubic yard or short ton, and note their minimum load, increments and delivery price.
- Use supplier density when available, especially for compacted crushed stone or decorative rock.
Avoid these errors
Common mistakes
- Using inches for depth while leaving the calculator in metric mode.
- Treating gravel tonnage as exact when density and moisture can vary.
- Forgetting that compaction can change the delivered quantity needed on site.
- Ordering without checking supplier minimums, delivery units, and local product density.
- Comparing bag prices to bulk material price without including delivery and whole-package rounding.
- Using a compaction factor intended for a different stone type as though it were a universal rate.
Estimate disclaimer
Verify before ordering.
Use the output as a planning baseline. Site conditions, product coverage, waste, supplier units, installation method, and local requirements can change the final quantity.
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Published guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Supporting guide
How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
Turn driveway measurements into cubic yards, cubic metres, and approximate tons while keeping depth, density, compaction, and waste assumptions visible.
Read guide
Supporting guide
Gravel Driveway Cost: Size, Depth, Tons, and Delivery
Turn a measured driveway into a practical gravel cost estimate by separating volume, tonnage, delivery, site work, and local pricing assumptions.
Read guide
Common questions
Use the result with context
01Is gravel weight exact?+
No. Weight is an estimate based on the density value you choose. Gravel density varies by material, moisture, gradation, and compaction.
02Why does gravel need density?+
Gravel volume and gravel weight are different estimates. Tonnage depends on material type, moisture, compaction, and supplier data.
03How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?+
Multiply the project area in square feet by gravel depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a 20 ft by 4 ft path at 3 inches deep, the base volume is 20 cubic feet or about 0.74 cubic yards. Add the chosen waste allowance separately.
04Can I estimate gravel bags?+
Yes. Enter the bag volume in cubic feet or bag weight in pounds to estimate whole bags. Compare the estimate with the exact product packaging before purchasing.
05How much gravel do I need for a driveway and a separate path?+
Add each measured area as its own rectangle or circle, with its own installed gravel depth. The calculator totals cubic yards and tons using the one stone density you select, then applies optional loose-volume and waste allowances to the combined order.
06What happens when my gravel supplier has a 2-yard minimum?+
The geometric volume remains the quantity required for the job. If the supplier has a 2 cubic yard minimum, the quote uses at least 2 cubic yards. A separately entered half-yard increment rounds the supplier order to a matching whole step and shows any surplus; neither changes the project measurement.
07Are pea gravel and crushed stone calculated differently?+
Length × width × depth determines volume for both. Weight in tons changes with the selected bulk density, gradation and moisture; use the pea gravel or crushed stone preset as a starting point and override it with your supplier's value. This does not recommend one material over another for a structural or drainage application.
08Should I buy bags or bulk gravel for a small path?+
There is no universal crossover. Compare whole bags at your exact product volume or weight and bag price against the supplier minimum load, bulk material price and the delivery fees actually quoted. Taxes, unloading, access restrictions and returning surplus are outside this cost comparison.
09Does the calculation include gravel compaction?+
The optional loose-volume compaction allowance defaults to zero. For projects measured at a compacted finished depth, enter an extra percentage only if supported by the selected aggregate and supplier or project specification. Waste and compaction are separate adjustable factors; don't apply either twice.
10Does the gravel calculator estimate delivery price?+
Yes, when you enter the actual supplier quote. Choose a bulk price per cubic yard or US short ton, the minimum load, order increment and delivery fee. You can also enter the price and delivery fee for a specific bag product. The comparison shows materials and the entered charges, not a guaranteed local quote.