Gravel Calculator

What this calculator does

The Gravel Calculator estimates the volume and weight of gravel needed to cover a driveway, walkway, drainage area, or garden bed. It uses the area to cover, the desired depth, and the density of the gravel. Results include cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, pounds, short tons, metric tons, and kilograms.

Gravel is sold by volume at some suppliers and by weight at others. The conversion depends on density, which varies with the rock type, size, moisture content, and how loosely the material is piled. The default density of 105 pounds per cubic foot is a typical value for loose gravel, but you can enter the number printed by your supplier.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter the area to cover in square feet. For a rectangular driveway, multiply length by width first.
2. Enter the gravel depth in inches. Two to four inches is a common base for a walkway; a driveway may need a deeper layer depending on the subgrade.
3. Enter the gravel density in pounds per cubic foot. Use 105 for typical loose gravel, or the supplier's value.
4. Click Calculate.

The default example is 200 square feet at a 3-inch depth with a density of 105 pounds per cubic foot. It returns 50 cubic feet, 1.85 cubic yards, 1.42 cubic meters, about 5,250 pounds, 2.63 short tons, 2.38 metric tons, and 2,381 kilograms.

Gravel formulas

volume (cu ft)  = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
volume (cu yd)  = volume (cu ft) ÷ 27
volume (cu m)   = volume (cu ft) ÷ 35.3146667215

weight (lb)          = volume (cu ft) × density (lb per cu ft)
weight (short tons)  = weight (lb) ÷ 2,000
weight (kg)          = weight (lb) × 0.45359237
weight (metric tons) = weight (kg) ÷ 1,000

The depth is converted from inches to feet before the area is multiplied. Volume is rounded only for display; the weight calculation uses the unrounded volume.

Assumptions and limitations

• The area is entered in square feet and the depth in inches.
• The area is treated as a simple rectangle or a known flat area. Irregular shapes should be split into smaller shapes and added.
• The depth is assumed to be uniform. A crowned driveway, a sloped path, or a drainage trench needs separate measurements.
• Density is the largest source of error. Dry gravel, wet gravel, sand, and crushed stone can differ substantially. Use the supplier's value when possible.
• The estimate does not include compaction, base material, geotextile fabric, edging, delivery, or labor.
• Gravel weight can change with moisture. Wet material may weigh noticeably more than the dry density suggests.
• Do not use this calculator as a structural design tool for load-bearing applications.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

At 105 pounds per cubic foot, one cubic yard (27 cubic feet) weighs about 2,835 pounds, or 1.42 short tons. Denser crushed stone can weigh more than 1.5 short tons per cubic yard.

How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?

Estimate the volume first, then multiply by density. For example, a 20-by-30-foot driveway at 3 inches deep is 150 cubic feet, or 5.56 cubic yards. At 105 pounds per cubic foot, that is about 7.9 short tons.

Why does the calculator ask for density?

Gravel is not a single material. Pea gravel, crushed stone, and gravel with sand have different densities. Entering the right density makes the weight estimate much more useful when you buy by the ton.

Source

Reference: Calculator.net — Gravel Calculator.

This calculator provides an estimate. Confirm density, coverage, and delivery quantities with your supplier before ordering.