Gravel Calculator
Work out how much gravel you need for a driveway, pathway, or drainage layer.
Gravel Calculator
Enter your area dimensions to estimate gravel required.
Gravel Required
What This Gravel Calculator Does
This tool multiplies your project area by the fill depth you specify to determine total volume, then converts that volume into an estimated weight using standard gravel density figures. Because gravel suppliers typically quote and deliver material by the ton, having both the volume and weight figure available makes ordering considerably more straightforward and helps avoid confusion when comparing quotes from different suppliers.
How to Use the Gravel Calculator
Enter the length and width of the area you are covering. Enter your desired gravel depth, which varies depending on the specific application, from a shallow decorative path to a deeper structural driveway base. The total cubic yards and estimated tons appear instantly once calculated.
Common Gravel Depth Guidelines by Project Type
A garden path or walkway typically uses 2 to 3 inches of gravel depth, sufficient for a stable, walkable surface without excessive material cost. A residential driveway generally needs 4 to 6 inches of gravel, providing the structural support required for regular vehicle traffic. A drainage base layer, used beneath other hardscaping or as a French drain foundation, often uses 6 inches or more to ensure adequate water flow capacity.
Pro Tip: One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 to 1.5 tons. This calculator uses standard density figures suitable for most common gravel types used in residential projects.
Volume (m³) = Length × Width × Depth
Weight (kg) = Volume × Gravel Density
Tonnes = Weight ÷ 1000
Density varies by gravel type: Pea Gravel 1500, Crushed Stone 1600, Crushed Concrete 1750 kg/m³
How Many Tons Are in a Cubic Yard of Gravel
One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 to 1.5 tons, though this figure shifts slightly depending on the specific gravel type and stone size being used, since more angular, larger stone tends to have different packing density than smaller, rounded pea gravel. This calculator applies a standard density figure suitable for most common gravel types used in residential projects.
Why Adding Extra Gravel for Compaction Matters
Freshly placed gravel settles and compacts naturally over the first few weeks and months after installation, particularly under vehicle traffic or foot traffic. Adding roughly 10 percent extra material beyond the raw calculated volume accounts for this expected settling, helping avoid a noticeably thinner layer than intended just a short time after the initial installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most residential driveways need 4 to 6 inches of gravel depth across the full driveway area, which this calculator converts into an exact cubic yard and ton figure for ordering.
One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 to 1.5 tons, though the exact figure depends somewhat on the specific gravel type and stone size being used.
Yes, adding approximately 10 percent extra gravel accounts for natural settling and compaction that occurs after installation, particularly under vehicle or foot traffic.
Drainage base layers typically use 6 inches or more of gravel depth to ensure adequate water flow capacity, more than the shallower depth used for a simple decorative path.
A residential driveway usually needs 100–150mm (0.10–0.15m) of gravel. Pathways and decorative beds work fine at 50mm.