Free calculator hub

Gravel Calculator

Figure out exactly how much gravel you need — tons, cubic yards and bags — for any project. Pick a material below, or jump straight to a dedicated calculator.

This calculator works for gravel, crushed stone, sand and river rock — enter your area and depth once, switch materials from the dropdown, and see cubic yards, tons and cubic feet update instantly. It's the same method used by every calculator on this site, just generalized so you can compare materials side by side before committing to one project page.

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (inches)

Material

Need bag counts, a cost estimate, or a driveway-specific calculator? See the dedicated tools below.

You'll need

Cubic yards 0.00yd³

Weight 0.00tons

Cubic feet 0.00ft³

How Much Gravel Do I Need?

Every calculator on this site runs the same core formula: area × depth = volume, converted to cubic yards, then multiplied by your material's density to get weight in tons. Measure the length and width of your space in feet, decide on a depth — 2 inches for decorative cover, 3 inches for walkways and patios, 4 inches or more for driveways — and the calculator above handles the rest.

cubic yards = (length × width × depth) ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × material density

Most gravel weighs 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so a 15 ft × 10 ft bed at 2 inches deep — the calculator's default — comes out to roughly 0.93 cubic yards and 1.3 tons. Whatever number you land on, round up and order 5–10% extra: uneven ground, compaction, and spillage during spreading all eat into your total, and running short mid-project usually costs more than a slightly oversized first order. For worked examples across patios, walkways and driveways, see the full how much gravel do I need guide, or go straight to the pea gravel calculator for bag counts and unit conversions.

Gravel Cost

Gravel typically runs $35–$85 per cubic yard, or $25–$65 per ton, delivered — decorative material like pea gravel and river rock sits at the higher end, while crushed stone and road base are usually cheaper per ton. Most suppliers price bulk orders by the ton rather than the yard, and delivery is often billed separately, commonly $50–$150 depending on distance and load size.

Bagged gravel from a hardware store costs more per cubic foot than a bulk delivery, so bags only make sense for small top-ups — anything over a cubic yard or two is almost always cheaper ordered loose. Many suppliers also set a minimum order (often 2–5 tons) before they'll dispatch a truck, so it's worth calling ahead if your project is small — combining a couple of jobs into one delivery, or picking up bagged material yourself, can work out cheaper than paying a minimum-order surcharge. Once you know your volume from the calculator above, plug it into the gravel cost calculator along with your supplier's price per ton (or per yard) to get a total project estimate.

Types of Gravel

"Gravel" covers a range of materials with different sizes, densities and best uses. Pea gravel (3/8"–1/2") is smooth and rounded, ideal for walkways, patios and playgrounds. River rock (1" and up) is larger and better suited to drainage beds and decorative borders. Crushed stone and road base have angular, machine-broken edges that interlock when compacted — the standard choice for driveway bases and under patios.

Type	Typical size	Density	Best for
Pea gravel	3/8"–1/2"	~1.4 tons/yd³	Walkways, patios, playgrounds
River rock	1"–4"+	~1.5 tons/yd³	Drainage beds, borders
Crushed stone	3/8"–1.5"	~1.5 tons/yd³	Driveway base, under patios
Road base / crush & run	Mixed, dust to 3/4"	~1.5 tons/yd³	Compacted driveway bases

Decorative or landscape gravel (1/4"–1") sits between pea gravel and crushed stone in size, and works well as a low-maintenance mulch alternative in garden beds — it won't break down or need replacing the way bark mulch does. Whichever type you're pricing, the density differences are small enough (1.4–1.5 tons/yd³ across the board) that you can get a close estimate with any calculator on this site and just swap the material in the dropdown.

See the full types of gravel guide for sizing details, or the gravel depth guide for recommended depth by project.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate how much gravel I need?

Multiply your area (length × width) by your depth, in feet, to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by your material's density (typically 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard) for weight in tons.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel cost?

Gravel typically costs $35–$85 per cubic yard, or $25–$65 per ton, depending on material and region. Use the gravel cost calculator to estimate your total.

What's the difference between gravel, crushed stone and sand?

Gravel is naturally rounded and comes in sizes from pea gravel to river rock. Crushed stone is machine-broken with angular edges that interlock when compacted, making it the standard driveway and drainage base. Sand is much finer and typically used as a leveling layer under pavers, not as the finished surface.

Which gravel calculator should I use?

Use this hub calculator for a quick estimate with any material. For bag counts and decorative pathways, use the pea gravel calculator; for a full driveway, use the gravel driveway calculator; for a dollar total, use the gravel cost calculator.