Gravel Calculator
Gravel Is Bought by Weight, Spread by Volume
Every gravel supplier prices and delivers by the ton, but every landscaping project is planned in square feet and inches of depth. Bridging those two units requires a density figure, since a cubic yard of pea gravel and a cubic yard of crushed limestone don't weigh the same. Get the density wrong and a delivery estimate can miss by 15% or more — enough to leave a driveway short by a full truckload.
The Formula
Volume (cu yd) = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = Volume (cu yd) × Density (tons per cu yd)
The calculator defaults to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a commonly cited average for crushed stone and similar aggregates, but density varies by material — enter a supplier-specific figure when you have one for a more precise weight.
Where This Matters
- Driveway base and topping — a compacted base layer and a decorative topping layer are often calculated separately, each with its own depth and sometimes its own density.
- Drainage and French drains — drainage gravel is typically ordered by weight from a bulk supplier, making an accurate tonnage estimate the difference between one delivery and two.
- Walkways and patio bases — a 2-inch to 4-inch gravel base is standard under pavers, and getting the volume right avoids a low spot that settles unevenly later.
| Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.62 cu yd | 0.86 tons |
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 1.73 tons |
| 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | 2.59 tons |
Densities of common aggregates range roughly from 1.2 tons/cu yd (lightweight pea gravel) to 1.5+ tons/cu yd (dense crushed stone) — ask your supplier for the specific figure for the material you're ordering.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the area to be covered in square feet.
- Enter the desired depth in inches (defaults to 2 in).
- Enter the material's density in tons per cubic yard if known (defaults to 1.4).
- Select Calculate for the volume in cubic yards and the estimated weight in tons.
Related Calculations
Laying pavers on top of a gravel base? Use the Paver Calculator next, or see the Topsoil Calculator for planting-area fill volume.