Gravel Calculator
Calculate gravel for any area — get cubic yards, tons and cost with waste. Choose pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock or limestone, enter length, width & depth — instant results in yards, tons & pounds.
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TOP VIEW — Length × Width
SECTION — Depth 6in
How it works
We compute the rectangular volume and convert units to feet before any math. Then we convert to cubic yards and to weight using the material's density. Waste is applied last so you order enough.
- Convert length, width and depth to feet (inches ÷ 12, yards × 3, meters × 3.28084).
- Cubic Feet = Length × Width × Depth
- Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
- Weight = Cubic Yards × Tons per yd³ × 2000 (lb)
- Apply waste: × (1 + waste%). Cost: × price per yd³ or per ton.
Formula
Cubic Feet = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(ft)
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Tons = Cubic Yards × Density (tons/yd³)
Pounds = Tons × 2000
Densities used: Pea Gravel 1.35, Crushed Stone 1.40, River Rock 1.33, Limestone 1.60, Granite 1.42 tons/yd³. Ask your supplier — actual bulk density varies 10–20%.
Example calculation
Patio 20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in pea gravel, 10% waste, $48/yd³:
| STEP | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Depth in feet | 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft |
| Cubic feet | 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.67 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³ |
| Tons | 2.47 × 1.35 = 3.33 tons |
| With 10% waste | 2.72 yd³ · 3.67 tons |
| Cost | 2.72 × $48 = $130.56 |
Reference — coverage per ton (approx.)
| MATERIAL | TONS/YD³ | LB/FT³ | COVERAGE @ 3" (ft²/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 1.35 | 100 | 80 |
| Crushed Stone | 1.40 | 104 | 77 |
| River Rock | 1.33 | 99 | 81 |
| Limestone | 1.60 | 119 | 67 |
| Granite | 1.42 | 105 | 76 |
Coverage = 2000 ÷ (lb/ft³ × depth in feet). Confirm with scale house.
Assumptions & limits
- Rectangular area — for curves, measure the bounding rectangle and trim with waste.
- Uniform depth — add base layer separately if needed.
- No compaction factor — if heavily compacted, ask supplier for compacted vs loose density.
- US units default — metric converts to feet; final tons use short tons (2000 lb). For metric tonnes, multiply tons × 0.907.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for my project?
Measure your area’s length and width, decide on depth, then use the calculator. For a rectangular patio, we convert everything to feet (inches ÷ 12, yards × 3), compute Length × Width × Depth, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material’s density to get tons. Use the Crushed Stone Calculator for crushed aggregate, or the Gravel Depth Calculator to plan driveway depth.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the stone. Most washed gravel is 1.30–1.42 tons per cubic yard: pea gravel ~1.35 t/yd³, crushed stone ~1.40 t/yd³, limestone ~1.60 t/yd³ and granite ~1.42 t/yd³. One cubic yard of pea gravel is about 2,700 lb. Always confirm your yard’s scale weight — wet or dense-graded base can be 10–20% heavier.
How deep should gravel be for a patio vs a driveway?
Garden paths and patios do well at 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) of clean gravel over fabric and a firm base. Residential driveways need 4–6 inches total, usually as a compacted base plus a top course. Use the Gravel Depth Calculator to size the required depth.
How much area does one ton of gravel cover?
At 3 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 65–80 sq ft depending on density: limestone ~67 ft², crushed stone ~77 ft², pea gravel ~80 ft², river rock ~81 ft² per ton. Coverage halves if you double depth to 6 inches. The reference table on this page shows tons/yd³ and lb/ft³ so you can plan coverage without re-measuring.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the density in tons per yard. Example: 2.47 yd³ of pea gravel at 1.35 t/yd³ = 3.33 tons; at $48 per yd³ vs $65 per ton, you can compare quotes. Our calculator shows both units at once so you can order in whichever unit your supplier sells by — tons for bulk, yards for bag comparison.
Should I add waste and does gravel compact?
Yes. Add 5–10% waste for rectangular areas and 10–15% for curves, slopes or uneven subgrade. Clean open-graded stone (#57, pea gravel) settles about 8% (use 1.10×), while dense-graded crusher run can compact 15–25% (use 1.20× per TxDOT). Decorative rounded stone like pea and river rock does not compact — use 1.00×. The calculator’s waste control is separate from compaction.
How much does gravel cost per ton or per yard?
In 2026 most bulk gravel is $25–$60 per ton or $40–$75 per cubic yard before delivery, which is often $50–$150 per load or $10–$25 per ton. Price varies by material (limestone and granite cost more than #57) and by region. Enter your local price per yd³ or per ton — the calculator multiplies the waste-adjusted quantity to give a material-only estimate. Labor and delivery are extra.
About Calculator Street
Built by Vipul Otari for US homeowners & contractors. Calculator inputs are processed in your browser. Estimates depend on your measurements, product specifications and the assumptions shown on this page. Confirm order quantities with your supplier and structural requirements with your project designer. Page updated: 2026-08-29.