Gravel calculator
How much gravel do I need?
Estimate gravel volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons for driveways, pathways, drainage, and landscaping projects.
Gravel volume calculator
Gravel calculator result
How to measure for gravel
Measure the length and width of the area you want to cover, then decide on the depth. Multiply length by width by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Most gravel suppliers sell by the cubic yard or ton.
Common gravel depths
- Walkways and pathways: 2-3 inches deep
- Driveways: 4-6 inches deep (with compacted base)
- Drainage and French drains: 6-12 inches deep
- Garden beds and decorative: 2-3 inches deep
Gravel calculator tips
Order about 10% more gravel than you think you need to account for compaction, settling, and uneven ground. For driveways, use larger crushed stone (3/4 inch) for the base and smaller gravel for the top layer.
Worked example
For example, for a 20×12 ft driveway, 4 inches deep:
- Volume = 20 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12) = 80 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 80 ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³
- Estimated weight = 2.96 × 1.4 = 4.14 tons
- Order about 3.25 tons to account for compaction and settling
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Skipping the compaction step | Loose gravel shifts under weight — compact in 2-in layers for driveways |
| Using the wrong gravel type | Crushed stone (#57) locks together best for driveways; round gravel shifts too much |
| Not sloping for drainage | A driveway should slope 1/4 inch per foot to shed water |