Calculate how much gravel your project needs. Enter length, width and depth to get volume in cubic yards, cubic meters, cubic feet, weight, bags and estimated cost.
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The calculator converts your length, width and depth into meters (feet × 0.3048, inches × 0.0254, centimeters × 0.01) and multiplies the three to get the volume in cubic meters. That single volume is then converted to cubic feet (x 35.3147) and cubic yards (x 1.30795). Weight comes from the volume times the density you set, default 1.6 tons per cubic meter, adjustable for different stone types. Bags needed is the total pounds (tons × 2204.62) divided by your bag weight, rounded UP with ceil because you cannot buy a partial bag. Estimated cost is cubic yards times your price per cubic yard, shown in the currency you pick first, so the number doubles as a quote figure. All figures are rounded to two decimals; bags are whole numbers. The weight is in metric tons (tonnes), matching the t/m3 density unit.
A gravel calculator tells you how much loose stone to order for a project: the volume of the area (length × width × depth) expressed in the units suppliers sell in, plus the weight, the number of bags, and an estimated cost. Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards or cubic meters) or by weight (tons), never by the dimensions of your project, so the calculator bridges that gap, acting as a volume, weight, bag and cost estimator. Enter your measurements and it runs the conversion instantly, including the density of the stone type you are buying.
Pick your currency first so the cost estimate uses the right money. Enter the length and width of the area (feet, inches, or meters) and the depth you plan to lay (inches, feet, or centimeters). The default density of 1.6 tons per cubic meter suits most gravel; change it if your supplier quotes a different figure for the stone type you are buying. Set the bag weight you plan to buy and the local price per cubic yard. The results show cubic yards, cubic meters, cubic feet, total weight, bags needed (rounded up), and estimated cost, all instantly.
The calculator first converts every measurement to meters, then multiplies length × width × depth to get the volume in cubic meters. That one volume is converted three ways: cubic feet (x 35.3147), cubic yards (x 1.30795), and weight in tons (x the density you set, default 1.6 t/m3). Bags are the total pounds, tons × 2204.62, divided by your bag weight and rounded UP with ceil, because you cannot buy part of a bag. The cost is simply cubic yards × your price per cubic yard. A handy mental shortcut for feet and inches: cubic yards = (length in ft × width in ft × depth in in) / 324, since one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet and one foot is 12 inches.
How much a yard weighs depends on the stone. Crushed stone (angular #57 and similar) runs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard, roughly 2,800 to 3,000 pounds. Pea gravel is lighter and rounder, about 1.3 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard, so a yard will weigh roughly 2,700 pounds. River rock sits near 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Crusher run and road base, which pack with fine dust, can reach 1.5 tons or more. Moisture matters too: wet stock from the yard weighs noticeably more than dry, which is why the density input is adjustable. If you are unsure, use the calculator default of 1.6 tons per cubic meter (about 1.35 tons per cubic yard) for pea-type gravel, or raise it for crushed stone.
Depth decides whether the project lasts. Driveways need 6 to 12 inches total, laid in two layers: a 4 to 6 inch base of crusher run or dense-grade aggregate, compacted in 2 to 4 inch lifts, plus a 2 inch top of #57 crushed stone for passenger cars. A pathway or walkway needs 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel or decomposed granite. A patio or shed base needs 4 to 6 inches of compactable base gravel. Decorative garden beds need only 2 inches of pea gravel or river rock, with a weed membrane laid under the gravel. Going too shallow shows the soil through; going too deep wastes money and makes walking spongy.
Small bags cost far more per yard than bulk. A cubic yard holds 54 of the common 0.5 cubic foot bags, and at typical retail prices those bags can cost 2 to 4 times a bulk yard. Rule of thumb: below about half a cubic yard, bags are fine and convenient; above that, bulk delivery from the quarry is almost always cheaper. Bulk is sold loose by the truckload or in large tote sacks of 500 to 1,000 kg. If you must buy bags, the calculator rounds up to whole bags so you never come up short at the store.
Always order extra. A 10% waste and settling allowance is the standard safe choice, because gravel compacts underfoot and wheels, some is lost to spillage, and no site is perfectly level. Use 15 to 25% extra for driveways that will be compacted and for sloped or irregular ground. Before you order, ask the supplier three things: do they sell by weight or by volume, what is the minimum order and the delivery fee, and is the stock dry or wet (wet weighs more). On delivery, ask for the scale ticket, check truck access for width, overhead branches and soft ground, and order in late fall or winter if you can, when prices often dip.
Measure length × width × depth, all in feet: cubic yards = (length ft × width ft × depth ft) / 27. A 20 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep is about 2.47 cubic yards. For a full driveway build, calculate the base layer and the top layer separately, since they use different stone. Add a 10 to 25% allowance for compaction and spillage.
Between 1.35 and 1.5 tons depending on the stone. Pea gravel is lightest at about 1.3 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard, #57 crushed stone is about 1.4, and crusher run is heaviest at about 1.5. Wet stock weighs more than dry.
Driveways need 6 to 12 inches total in compacted layers: a 4 to 6 inch base plus a 2 inch top for passenger cars. Pathways need 2 to 3 inches, patios and shed bases 4 to 6 inches, and decorative beds about 2 inches over a weed membrane.
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 of the common 0.5 cubic foot bags (about 50 lb each). The calculator divides your total weight by your bag size and rounds up with ceil, since you cannot buy a partial bag.
At a typical 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, one ton covers about 100 to 115 square feet at 2 inches deep, about 72 to 77 square feet at 3 inches, or about 54 to 58 square feet at 4 inches.
For a driveway that carries cars, 3/4-inch crushed stone (#57) is the best top layer because the angular pieces lock together and shed water; crusher run or dense-grade aggregate makes the best compactable base. Pea gravel looks good but shifts under tires, so reserve it for pathways and decorative beds.
Yes. Order 10% extra as the standard buffer for settling, compaction and spillage. Go to 15 to 25% for driveways that will be compacted, sloped ground, or irregular shapes. Running short costs you a second delivery fee.
Bulk gravel runs roughly $22 to $70 per ton delivered depending on the stone type, with crushed base rock cheapest and decorative river rock most expensive. Delivery usually adds $50 to $150 per load. The calculator multiplies your cubic yards by your local price per cubic yard in your chosen currency.
Bulk delivery wins above about half a cubic yard. Bagged gravel can cost 2 to 4 times as much per yard as bulk, though bags are convenient for very small jobs. Large tote sacks of 500 to 1,000 kg sit between the two on price.
A 10x10 patio at 3 inches deep needs (10 × 10 × 0.25) / 27 = about 0.93 cubic yards, so order 1 cubic yard plus a 10% overage. At 4 inches deep it needs about 1.23 cubic yards. Pea gravel and crushed stone compact differently, so round up and confirm with your supplier's coverage chart before ordering.
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