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Gravel Calculator

Enter area dimensions, depth, and gravel density to estimate volume in cubic feet and yards, weight in tons, and cost. Dimensions accept feet or metres; outputs stay imperial, the way suppliers sell. An estimate — confirm density with your yard.

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Your inputs

Results update instantly as you type.

Compacted depth. Driveways usually want 3–4 inches.

Pounds per cubic foot. Crushed gravel is typically 90–110 — ask your supplier.

Your result · Estimated weight

1.5tons

Volume
30cu ft
Volume
1.11cu yd
Estimated cost
$75.00

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What your result means

Estimated weight in tons is the headline: what the truck must carry and what the yard charges for. Volume in cubic feet and yards helps you sanity-check against supplier quotes.

If the weight looks surprising, recheck depth — one extra inch over a driveway adds a large fraction of a ton.

How the calculation works

  1. Convert all dimensions to feet and multiply for cubic feet, dividing by 27 for cubic yards.
  2. Multiply volume by density for pounds, dividing by 2,000 for tons.
  3. Multiply tons by price per ton for the material cost.

Formula

Formula

volume = length × width × depth; weight = volume × density ÷ 2000; cost = tons × price

  1. Volumelength × width × depth (converted to feet)
  2. Cubic yardscubic feet ÷ 27
  3. Weightcubic feet × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2000
  4. Costtons × price per ton

Worked examples

  • Example: 10×12 ft at 3 in, density 100, $50/ton

    dimUnit: ftlength: 10width: 12depthUnit: indepth: 3density: 100pricePerTon: 50

    Result: Volume 30 · Volume 1.11 · Estimated weight 1.5 · Estimated cost $75.00

  • Example: 3×4 m at 10 cm, density 100, $45/ton

    dimUnit: mlength: 3width: 4depthUnit: cmdepth: 10density: 100pricePerTon: 45

    Result: Volume 42.4 · Volume 1.57 · Estimated weight 2.12 · Estimated cost $95.35

Assumptions

What this calculation takes for granted — check these before relying on the result.

Assumptions:

  • Default values are an example 10×12 ft driveway at 3 inches — replace with your measurements.
  • Depth is the settled, compacted depth; loose fill compacts roughly 10–15%.
  • Density defaults to 100 lb/ft³; real gravel varies 90–110 by stone type and moisture.
  • Outputs stay imperial (cu ft, cu yd, tons) however you enter dimensions.

Limitations

Why your real figure may differ:

  • Density is not universal: pea gravel, crushed stone, and wet material weigh differently per volume — supplier figures beat defaults.
  • Uneven subgrades swallow extra material; add contingency for rutted ground.
  • Delivery minimums, short-load fees, and spreading are excluded from material cost.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should driveway gravel be?

3–4 inches compacted over a prepared base is the common residential target. Less migrates and ruts; much more wastes material unless the base is soft.

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?

About 1.4 tons at typical 100 lb/ft³ density (27 cu ft × 100 ÷ 2000). Denser or wetter stone runs heavier — confirm with your supplier.

Why does density matter so much?

You buy by weight but spread by volume. A 10% denser stone needs 10% more tons for the same coverage, so the default is only a starting point.

Should I add extra for compaction?

Yes — order roughly 10–15% over the compacted-depth figure if you are placing loose and rolling it, and round up to the yard’s minimum load.