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Gravel Calculator —
Volume and weight for any project.
Calculate exactly how much gravel, crushed stone, or decorative rock you need for a driveway, walkway, patio, or landscaping project. Enter your area shape, dimensions, and desired depth — get instant results in cubic yards, short tons, metric tonnes, pounds, and bag count.
Area & Depth
Gravel Calculator
Area shape
Dimension unit
Depth unit
10% recommended to account for uneven ground and spillage.
Results
Volume needed
cubic yards
Est. weight
short tons (US)
Based on Crushed Stone / Gravel Mix at 2,798 lb/yd³ · includes 10% waste allowance
Cubic Feet
73.33
ft³
Cubic Meters
2.077
m³
Pounds
7,600
lb
Metric Tonnes
3.447
t
Area
200
sq ft
Area (metric)
18.6
m²
Buying in bags?
50 lb bags
152
bags needed
40 lb bags
190
bags needed
For large projects, ordering by the ton or cubic yard from a quarry or landscaping supplier is significantly cheaper than bags.
Project summary
- Shape
- Rectangle
- Area
- 200 sq ft (22.22 yd² / 18.58 m²)
- Depth
- 4 in
- Gravel type
- Crushed Stone / Gravel Mix
- Waste added
- 10%
- Volume
- 2.716 yd³ · 73.33 ft³ · 2.077 m³
- Weight (US)
- 3.800 short tons · 7,600 lb
- Weight (SI)
- 3.447 metric tonnes
Gravel guide
How to calculate how much gravel you need
Whether you're resurfacing a driveway, laying a garden path, or filling a French drain, getting the quantity right before you call a supplier saves money and prevents the frustration of a second delivery. The calculation is straightforward: area × depth = volume. The tricky part is converting that volume to the weight unit your supplier quotes, usually short tons (US) or tonnes (UK/metric), with bulk prices per cubic yard for very large orders.
The gravel calculation formula
For a rectangular area:
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
For a circular area (e.g., a round garden bed or roundabout):
Volume (yd³) = Area (ft²) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27
To convert volume to weight, multiply by the gravel's bulk density. Standard crushed stone weighs approximately 2,800 lb per cubic yard (1.4 short tons/yd³), though this varies by type and moisture content.
Worked example: 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep
Depth = 4 in = 0.333 ft
Volume = 200 × 0.333 = 66.7 ft³ = 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
+10% waste → 2.72 yd³
Weight = 2.72 × 2,800 lb/yd³ = 7,616 lb ≈ 3.81 short tons
You would call the supplier and order 4 cubic yards (rounding up from 2.72 to a practical delivery quantity) or ask for approximately 4 tons.
Recommended gravel depth by project type
| Application | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway (base layer) | 4–6 in | Compacted crushed stone; use 6 in for heavy vehicles |
| Driveway (top/surface) | 2–3 in | Pea gravel or crushed stone topping over base |
| Walkway / path | 2–3 in | Sufficient for foot traffic when edged |
| Patio (under pavers) | 4 in | Compacted gravel base; add 1 in sand on top |
| Garden bed / landscaping | 2–3 in | Decorative stone or mulch equivalent |
| Playground surface | 6–9 in | Pea gravel; must meet ASTM F1292 safety standards |
| French drain / drainage | 12 in+ | Washed stone around perforated pipe |
| Foundation drainage | 4–6 in | Crushed stone around footing/basement perimeter |
Types of gravel and their densities
Not all gravel weighs the same. Lighter materials like lava rock and marble chips require more volume for the same area, while dense materials like decomposed granite pack down tightly. Always confirm the density with your supplier, especially if buying by weight.
| Type | lb/yd³ | kg/m³ | t/yd³ (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone / Gravel Mix | 2,798 | 1,660 | 1.40 |
| Pea Gravel | 2,562 | 1,520 | 1.28 |
| Crushed Limestone | 2,613 | 1,550 | 1.31 |
| Crushed Granite | 2,832 | 1,680 | 1.42 |
| Decomposed Granite (DG) | 2,970 | 1,762 | 1.49 |
| River Rock | 2,697 | 1,600 | 1.35 |
| Lava Rock / Pumice | 1,618 | 960 | 0.81 |
| White Marble Chips | 1,888 | 1,120 | 0.94 |
Volume vs weight: how gravel is sold
In the United States, bulk gravel is sold either by the cubic yard (volume) or by the short ton (weight, = 2,000 lb). Most quarries and landscape supply companies quote both, and the price can differ significantly per unit depending on how closely graded the material is. Decorative stones like marble chips are almost always sold by weight; raw crushed stone for driveways may be sold by the yard for pickup or by the ton for delivery.
In the UK and Australia, gravel is typically sold by the tonne (metric ton = 1,000 kg = 2,205 lb) or by the bulk bag (usually 850 kg or 1 tonne per bag).
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of standard crushed stone or gravel mix weighs approximately 2,700–2,900 pounds (1.35–1.45 US short tons), depending on moisture content and gradation. A yd³ of dry pea gravel is lighter at about 2,500 lb, while decomposed granite can reach 2,900 lb/yd³. As a practical rule of thumb, budget 1.4 tons per cubic yard for standard gravel projects.
Tips for ordering gravel
- Always add at least 10% for waste: gravel spreads unevenly on sloped or irregular surfaces, and some is inevitably lost during delivery and spreading.
- Order to the nearest half-yard or ton: most suppliers round up anyway, and a small excess is far cheaper than a second delivery.
- Confirm delivery access: a standard dump truck needs about 12–14 ft of overhead clearance. For tight driveways, ask about a smaller truck or a conveyor belt delivery.
- Consider compaction: crushed stone and decomposed granite compact 15–20% when rolled. If using a compacted base layer, increase your ordered depth accordingly.
- Check moisture: wet gravel is significantly heavier than dry. If ordering by weight after rain, you may get less material than expected.
Disclaimer
Density values are typical bulk densities at standard conditions. Actual values vary by particle size, gradation, moisture content, and degree of compaction. Always confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.