Gravel Calculator
Enter your area, depth, and gravel type. We'll give you cubic yards (or m³), tons (or tonnes), and a shopping list.
Advanced options
- Area
- 0 sq ft
- Volume
- 0 cu ft
- Cubic yards
- 0
- Tons
- 0
- Estimated cost
- —
How the gravel calculator works
We calculate the area (length × width), multiply by the depth, and convert to volume in your unit system. Mass comes from multiplying volume by the gravel type's density — this varies because crushed stone has lots of air, while tightly packed roadbase is heavier per unit volume.
Typical depths by use
- Drainage layer — 2 in / 5 cm; under pavers or behind retaining walls.
- Walkway — 2–3 in / 5–7.5 cm; compacted on a geotextile.
- Patio base — 4–6 in / 10–15 cm; compacted in two lifts.
- Driveway base — 4 in / 10 cm subgrade + 2 in / 5 cm surface dressing = 6 in / 15 cm total.
Why the waste factor is smaller (5%)
Gravel is dumped and spread, not cut. The main loss is over-spill at edges and slight compaction-driven settling.
Delivery vs pick-up
Most suppliers have a minimum order for delivery (typically 1 cu yd / ~0.8 m³ and a $50–$100 fee). Under that, a pickup truck trip is usually cheaper. A half-ton pickup can safely carry 1 cu yd of dry crushed stone at a time — check your truck's payload spec.