Free Gravel Calculator & Cost Estimator
Calculate exact volume in cubic yards, weight in tons, dump truck delivery loads, and retail bag counts for driveways, patios, paths, and drainage.
To calculate gravel, multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in/12) ÷ 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 (standard crushed gravel density) to get total tons. For a standard 10×20 ft driveway at 3 inches deep, you need 1.85 cubic yards or approx 2.6 tons (100 bags of 0.5 cu ft).
1. Select Project Shape
2. Enter Dimensions
3. Select Gravel Aggregate & Density
4. Add Waste & Compaction Buffer
Gravel Layer & Excavation Cross-Section Simulator
Visualize multi-layer ground excavation, plate compaction settling, and dump truck hauling logistics in real-time.
To achieve a final compacted depth of 6.0 inches, you must spread 7.1 inches of loose uncompacted aggregate before running the plate compactor.
Specialized Project Gravel Calculators
Choose a dedicated calculator pre-configured for your exact installation requirements (25+ specialized scenarios).
Driveway Gravel Calculator
Accurately estimate crushed stone tons, cubic yards, and dump truck loads for new driveway builds or surface topping.
Pea Gravel Calculator
Calculate exact cubic yards, tons, and bag counts of smooth 3/8" pea gravel for patios, paths, and landscape beds.
Crushed Stone #57 Calculator
Calculate volume and tonnage for angular crushed limestone, granite, and trap rock for heavy construction and foundation bases.
French Drain Gravel Calculator
Estimate washed drain rock tonnage for yard drainage trenches, foundation curtain drains, and retaining wall backfill.
Walkway & Path Gravel Calculator
Compute precise cubic yards, tons, and bags for winding garden paths, patio dining pads, and fire pit areas.
Gravel Cost Calculator
Compare bulk quarry delivery vs bagged Home Depot / Lowe's retail costs with realistic trucking and labor estimates.
Decomposed Granite (DG) Calculator
Calculate volume, tonnage, and compaction allowance for stabilized and natural DG pathways, bocce courts, and xeriscapes.
River Rock Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and weight in tons for smooth 1" to 3" river pebbles, egg rock, and decorative landscape rock.
Paver Base Gravel Calculator
Calculate gravel sub-base and setting sand requirements to prevent sinking and shifting patio pavers.
Retaining Wall Gravel Backfill Calculator
Calculate clean washed #57 aggregate backfill to relieve hydrostatic water pressure behind retaining walls.
Septic Drainfield Gravel Calculator
Estimate cubic yards and tons of washed round or crushed drain rock for septic absorption trenches.
Playground Pea Gravel Calculator
Compute cubic yards and tons of smooth, rounded pea stone for shock-absorbing playground and playset impact zones.
Horse Arena Gravel Sub-Base Calculator
Calculate tonnage of dense grade aggregate base and drainage rock for level, resilient equestrian riding arenas.
Hot Tub Gravel Pad Calculator
Estimate crushed stone #57 and crusher run needed for a stable, ultra-level outdoor hot tub gravel base.
Fire Pit Area Gravel Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and tons of heat-safe decorative gravel for backyard fire pit circular patios.
Dog Run & Potty Area Gravel Calculator
Calculate round paw-friendly pea gravel for clean, odor-free backyard dog potty areas and kennel runs.
Concrete Slab Sub-Base Gravel Calculator
Calculate crushed stone #57 and road base required beneath residential concrete slabs and footings.
Crusher Run (DGA) Calculator
Calculate weight in tons and volume in cubic yards for Crusher Run, Road Bond, and Dense Grade Aggregate (DGA).
Riprap Stone Calculator
Estimate tons and cubic yards of heavy angular riprap rock for culverts, ditches, and shoreline armoring.
Drain Rock Calculator
Calculate volume in cubic yards and tons for clean, dust-free washed drainage gravel.
Caliche Road Base Calculator
Estimate caliche tons and truck loads for rural ranch roads, oil pads, and driveway sub-bases.
Slate Chips & Crushed Slate Calculator
Calculate cubic yards, tons, and bags of flat decorative crushed slate (blue, plum, and green).
White Marble Chips Calculator
Calculate cubic yards, tons, and retail bags of sparkling white decorative marble stone chips.
Driveway Base vs Surface Multi-Layer Calculator
Estimate both bottom dense base stone and top decorative gravel layers in one unified calculation.
Crushed Concrete (RCA) Calculator
Calculate volume, tonnage, and cost savings of eco-friendly recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for sub-bases and farm roads.
DG Patio & Walkway Calculator
Calculate exact cubic yards, tons, and bags of natural or stabilized DG for rustic outdoor patios and courtyards.
Gabion Basket Rock Calculator
Estimate rock volume and weight in tons for wire mesh gabion baskets, slope stabilization, and modern landscape feature walls.
Road Base vs Top Gravel Calculator
Calculate tonnage for both the compacted sub-base (road bond) and the clean decorative gravel surface in a single run.
River Rock vs Pea Gravel Estimator
Compare tons, coverage area per ton, and total costs between small pea gravel and medium decorative river stones.
Shed Base Gravel Calculator
Estimate compacted gravel depth, cubic yards, and tons for 8x10, 10x12, and 12x16 storage shed foundations.
Parking Pad Gravel Calculator
Size a gravel parking pad for daily cars, motorhomes, or boat trailers using load-appropriate base depth.
Patio Base Gravel Calculator
Estimate crushed stone base and bedding sand for a long-lasting paver or flagstone patio.
Quick Unit Converters & Lookups
Fast formulas and tables for tons, yards, bags, and compaction settlement.
Gravel Tons to Cubic Yards Converter
Convert weight in tons to physical volume in cubic yards based on specific stone aggregate density.
Gravel Yards to Tons Converter
Convert volume in cubic yards to total weight in US tons for quarry ordering and truck capacity checks.
Gravel Bags to Tons Converter
Calculate retail bag counts (0.5 cu ft bags & 50 lb bags) required to equal bulk tons and cubic yards.
Lava Rock Calculator
Estimate lightweight porous volcanic rock (red and black lava rock) for fire pits, succulent landscaping, and planters.
Gravel Compaction Calculator
Calculate compaction shrinkage ratios and loose vs compacted depth for dense grade base aggregates and crusher run.
Gravel Coverage Chart & Table
Instant reference chart showing square feet covered per ton and per cubic yard across common installation depths.
Dump Truck Gravel Loads Calculator
Determine exact dump truck delivery fleet requirements and avoid paying double delivery dispatch fees.
Gravel Wheelbarrow Loads Calculator
Calculate physical wheelbarrow trips and labor hours required to haul bulk gravel from driveway to backyard.
Square Feet to Tons Gravel Converter
Convert surface square feet directly into required weight in tons across 2", 3", 4", and 6" installation depths.
Metric Tonnes to US Tons Gravel Converter
Convert metric tonnes (1,000 kg / 2,204.6 lbs) to US short tons (2,000 lbs / 907.2 kg) for global quarry procurement.
Gravel Material Density & Cost Comparison
Weight per cubic yard and typical pricing across major landscaping and construction stone.
| Aggregate Material | Density (lbs/cu yd) | Tons / Cu Yd | Typical Bulk Cost | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (3/8") | 2800 lbs/yd³ | 1.4 t/yd³ | $35 - $60 / ton | Walkways, patios, dog runs, flower bed toppers, around fire pits |
| Crushed Stone #57 (1/2" - 1") | 2700 lbs/yd³ | 1.35 t/yd³ | $40 - $65 / ton | Driveway base, French drains, concrete aggregate, slab sub-base |
| Crusher Run / Dense Grade (DGA) | 3000 lbs/yd³ | 1.5 t/yd³ | $30 - $50 / ton | Driveway foundation, shed pads, road base, sub-base under pavers |
| River Rock (1" - 3") | 2600 lbs/yd³ | 1.3 t/yd³ | $45 - $75 / ton | Landscape accents, dry creek beds, erosion control, water features |
| Decomposed Granite (DG) | 3000 lbs/yd³ | 1.5 t/yd³ | $45 - $70 / ton | Xeriscaping, rustic pathways, patio flooring, bocce ball courts |
| Drain Rock / Drainage Gravel (1" - 1.5") | 2600 lbs/yd³ | 1.3 t/yd³ | $38 - $62 / ton | French drains, retaining wall backfill, septic drain fields |
| Lava Rock (Red / Black) | 1200 lbs/yd³ | 0.6 t/yd³ | $65 - $110 / ton | Fire pit surrounds, mulch alternative, lightweight planters, cacti beds |
Recommended Gravel Depth by Application
Choosing the right thickness is crucial to prevent sinking, weed growth, or road rutting.
| Project / Application Type | Recommended Depth | Best Gravel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway Base Layer | 4 to 6 Inches | Crushed Stone #57 or Crusher Run | Requires heavy compaction for vehicle weight support. |
| Walkway & Patio | 2 to 3 Inches | Pea Gravel or Decomposed Granite | Ideal for comfortable foot traffic and barefoot stability. |
| Landscape Bed Topper | 2 to 3 Inches | River Rock or Lava Rock | Suppresses weeds while maintaining soil moisture. |
| French Drain & Drainage | 8 to 12 Inches | Clean Washed Drain Rock (1"-1.5") | High void ratio allows optimal water flow around pipe. |
| Playground & Dog Run | 4 to 6 Inches | Smooth Rounded Pea Gravel | Provides shock absorption and rapid liquid drainage. |
Where to Buy: Bulk Quarry vs Home Depot & Lowe's
Save 40% to 60% on material costs by choosing the right purchasing channel for your volume.
Local Aggregate Quarry / Landscape Yard
- 💵 Typical Cost: $30 – $65 per ton (Lowest cost/ton)
- 🚛 Delivery Fee: $75 – $150 flat dump truck freight
- ⏱️ Lead Time: 1 to 3 business days scheduled dump
- 🎯 Recommendation: Use when total project exceeds 2.5 tons. Direct tail-gate spread saves hours of wheelbarrow labor.
Home Improvement Stores (0.5 cu ft Bags)
- 💵 Typical Cost: $4.25 – $5.80 per 0.5 cu ft bag (~$170–$230/ton)
- 🚗 Transportation: DIY pickup in pickup bed / SUV
- ⏱️ Lead Time: Instant in-store pickup
- 🎯 Recommendation: Ideal for small garden repairs, stepping stones, or topping off existing gravel beds without delivery fees.
How to Calculate How Much Gravel You Need
Measure Area Dimensions
Measure the length and width of your project area in feet. Decide your required depth in inches based on your project type.
Calculate Cubic Feet & Yards
Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth (in) ÷ 12) = Cubic Feet. Divide Cubic Feet by 27 to get Cubic Yards.
Convert to Weight (Tons)
Multiply Cubic Yards by your material density (usually 1.35 to 1.40 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed gravel).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a ton of gravel?
For the densities used by this calculator, 1 ton of gravel equals roughly 19 to 20 cubic feet. Pea gravel (~2,800 lbs/yd³) works out to about 19.3 cu ft per ton, while crushed stone #57 (~2,700 lbs/yd³) is closer to 20.0 cu ft per ton.
How much area does 1 cubic yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard of gravel (27 cubic feet) covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth, 162 sq ft at 2 inches depth, 108 sq ft at 3 inches depth, and 81 sq ft at 4 inches depth.
How many dump truck loads is 15 tons of gravel?
A tri-axle dump truck carries approximately 14 to 16 tons, meaning 15 tons fits in a single tri-axle delivery. A tandem dump truck carries 10 to 12 tons (requiring 2 trips), and a single-axle truck carries about 5 tons (requiring 3 trips).
Why should I add a 5% to 10% waste factor?
Ground excavation is rarely 100% level, and gravel compacts into the soil beneath it when driven or walked on. Adding a 5% to 10% buffer prevents running out of material mid-project.
Missing a Stone Type or Have Feedback?
We update density presets and formulas regularly based on local quarry feedback.
⚠️ Important Construction & Material Order Disclaimer
Calculations provided by Gravel Calculator are estimates intended for planning purposes only. Actual gravel density varies based on moisture content, stone size, quarry origin, and soil compaction rates. We strongly recommend adding a 5% to 10% buffer and confirming final tonnage with your local aggregate supplier before placing bulk orders.