What depth of gravel should I use for a driveway or path?

For a light‑use path, 2 inches of gravel can be enough. For driveways and parking areas, 4–6 inches of compacted gravel is more typical, often in two layers (a base layer of larger stone and a top layer of smaller gravel).

Can I change the gravel density in the calculator?

Yes. Open the “Advanced options” panel and enter the density your supplier provides (in lb/ft³ or kg/m³). The calculator will instantly update tons, yards, and bag counts using your custom density.

How accurate is this gravel calculator?

The calculator uses standard volume and weight formulas and a realistic default density. In practice, you should add 5–10% extra to account for compaction, uneven ground, and measurement error. Always round up to full tons or yards when ordering.

Gravel Calculator

Q: How much does 1 cubic yard of gravel weigh?

Most common crushed gravel weighs about 2,700–3,000 lb per cubic yard (1.35–1.5 short tons per cubic yard). The calculator uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard by default, which you can adjust if your supplier gives a different density.

Q: How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?

At a typical depth of 2 inches, 1 ton of gravel covers roughly 100–120 square feet. At 3 inches, it covers about 70–80 square feet. The exact coverage depends on the gravel density and how compacted it is.

Estimate how many tons, cubic yards, or bags of gravel you need for driveways, paths, patios, drainage trenches, and landscaping beds.

Project Gravel Estimator

Multi‑area support

Tons · Yards · ft³ · m³ · Bags

Length

Width

Depth

Number of identical areas

Preset depth

Advanced options (density & bag size)

Gravel density

Typical gravel: 100–120 lb/ft³ (1600–1920 kg/m³).

Bag weight

Common retail bags are 40–60 lb (18–27 kg).

Gravel Required

Volume

0 ft³

0 yd³ · 0 m³

Tip: Most suppliers sell gravel by the cubic yard or by the ton.

Weight & bags

0 tons

0 lb · 0 kg

0 bags of 50 lb

Always round up to full tons, yards, or bags and add 5–10% for waste and compaction.

How this gravel calculator works

This tool estimates how much gravel you need based on the area you want to cover, the depth of the gravel layer, and the density of the material. It supports rectangular areas (driveways, paths, patios), circular areas (fire pit rings, round beds), or a known total volume.

Step‑by‑step formula

Convert all dimensions to feet (or meters) so they’re in the same unit.
Compute area:
- Rectangle: \( A = \text{length} \times \text{width} \)
- Circle: \( A = \pi r^2 \)
Compute volume:
\[ V = A \times \text{depth} \]
If you have multiple identical areas, the calculator multiplies by the number of areas.
Convert volume units:
- \( 1 \text{ yd}^3 = 27 \text{ ft}^3 \)
- \( 1 \text{ m}^3 \approx 35.3147 \text{ ft}^3 \)
Convert volume to weight using density:
\[ W = V \times \rho \] where \( W \) is weight and \( \rho \) is gravel density.
Convert weight to tons and bags:
- Short tons (US): \( \text{tons} = \dfrac{W_{\text{lb}}}{2000} \)
- Bags: \( \text{bags} = \dfrac{W}{\text{bag weight}} \)

Typical gravel densities

The calculator defaults to 105 lb/ft³ (≈ 1680 kg/m³), which is a good average for compacted gravel. Some common ranges:

Pea gravel: 95–105 lb/ft³ (1520–1680 kg/m³)
Crushed stone (¾"): 100–120 lb/ft³ (1600–1920 kg/m³)
River rock / creek gravel: 90–110 lb/ft³ (1440–1760 kg/m³)

If your supplier lists a specific density, enter it under Advanced options for more accurate results.

Recommended gravel depths

Garden paths & walkways: 2–3 in (50–75 mm)
Driveways & parking areas: 4–6 in (100–150 mm) compacted, often in layers
Drainage trenches / French drains: 6–12 in (150–300 mm) depending on design
Decorative beds: 2–3 in (50–75 mm)

For driveways, many contractors use a base layer of larger stone (e.g., 4" of #57 gravel) plus a top layer of smaller gravel (e.g., 2" of pea gravel). You can run the calculator once for each layer and add the results.

Practical ordering tips

Always round up to the next full yard or ton—running short is more expensive than a small surplus.
Add 5–10% extra for compaction, spillage, and uneven ground.
Check whether your supplier prices by ton or cubic yard and use the matching figure from the results.
Ask about delivery limits per truck load (often 8–15 tons) and plan your order accordingly.

FAQ about gravel quantities

How much does 1 cubic yard of gravel weigh?

A typical cubic yard of gravel weighs around 2,700–3,000 lb, or about 1.35–1.5 short tons. The exact weight depends on stone size, moisture content, and type of rock.

How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?

Approximate coverage for 1 ton of gravel:

At 2 in depth: 100–120 ft²
At 3 in depth: 70–80 ft²
At 4 in depth: 50–60 ft²

The calculator computes this precisely from your inputs, but these rules of thumb are useful for quick checks.

What size gravel should I use?

Pea gravel (⅜"): comfortable for walking, good for paths and decorative areas.
¾" crushed stone: common for driveways and drainage, locks together better.
River rock / creek gravel: rounded stones for decorative beds and erosion control.

Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?

For most paths and beds, a woven landscape fabric under the gravel helps reduce weeds and keeps the gravel from sinking into the soil. For driveways, many contractors prefer a compacted base (e.g., crushed stone) without fabric, depending on soil conditions.

Gravel Calculator – Quick Questions

Can I calculate gravel for multiple areas at once?

Yes. If the areas are identical (for example, several parking bays), set the Number of identical areas field. For different‑sized areas, run the calculator separately for each and add the totals.

What if my supplier gives volume in cubic meters?

The results panel shows m³ alongside ft³ and yd³. You can order directly in cubic meters or convert to tons using the density your supplier provides.

Does the calculator account for compaction?

The formulas assume loose volume. In the real world, gravel settles and compacts, so it’s wise to add 5–10% extra to the calculator’s result when placing your order.