Work out exactly how much gravel you need in cubic yards, cubic feet and tons — for driveways, paths and drainage.
The method behind this calculator
Enter the area you want to cover and the depth of gravel, and this gravel calculator returns the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus an estimated weight in US tons so you can order the right amount of bulk stone.
Gravel is usually sold by the cubic yard or by the ton, so the calculator gives you both. Add a price per cubic yard to estimate the cost of the load.
How to use it
- Choose a rectangular or round area and enter the length and width (or diameter).
- Set the depth — 2 inches for paths, 4–6 inches for driveways.
- Read the cubic yards and tons, and add a bulk price to estimate cost.
How the number is calculated
volume (ft³) = length × width × depth
cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27
tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4 (≈2,800 lb per yd³)
A worked example
Worked through, a length of 10, width of 10, diameter of 10 produces a material needed of 0.62. Underneath, Cubic yards comes out at 0.62 and Cubic feet at 16.7. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
Questions people ask about this
How deep should gravel be?
For a decorative path 2 inches is enough. Driveways usually need 4–6 inches, often built up in layers over a compacted base.
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
Around 1.4 US tons per cubic yard for typical crushed gravel. Heavier stone can be closer to 1.5 tons.
Does the calculator include compaction?
No — order about 10–15% extra if the gravel will be compacted, since it settles once rolled or driven on.