Gravel Calculator

Answer "how much gravel do I need?" in seconds. Enter your coverage area and depth to get tons and cubic yards (or tonnes and cubic meters), with an adjustable density for your specific gravel.

Gravel Coverage Details

Length

Width

Depth

Gravel Density

tons/yd³

Typical gravel runs 1.35–1.45 tons per cubic yard

Enter your coverage area to see how much gravel you need.

The formula

Tons = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × Density (tons/yd³)

Common gravel runs 1.35–1.45 tons per cubic yard; the calculator defaults to 1.40. Your supplier’s figure is always better than a generic one — moisture alone can move the number several percent.

Choosing a depth

Decorative cover over landscape fabric: 2–3 inches. Walkways: 3 inches over a compacted base. Gravel driveways: usually built as multiple compacted layers totaling 6–8 inches — calculate each layer separately, and see the base rock calculator for the compacted layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much area does a ton of gravel cover?

At 2 inches deep, roughly 100 square feet; at 3 inches, about 70 square feet, assuming ~1.4 tons/yd³ density.

How deep should driveway gravel be?

A proper gravel driveway is layered: commonly 4 inches of compacted base topped with 2–3 inches of surface gravel. Calculate compacted layers with the base rock calculator.

How many cubic yards is a ton of gravel?

About 0.7 cubic yards per ton at typical density — or flipped around, one cubic yard weighs about 1.4 tons.