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Building / DIY

Gravel Calculator

This gravel calculator is a volume estimator for gravel, crushed stone, or similar aggregate. Enter length, width, and depth for cubic yards, cubic feet, tons from an editable density, and a bag count. It is separate from the concrete calculator.

One side of the driveway, path, or bed.

The other side, in feet.

Four inches of surface gravel is a common DIY driveway figure. Bases may be deeper.

Length and width stay in feet. Only depth uses this unit.

Typical crushed stone is about 1.4–1.7. Default 1.5. Leave blank to skip tons.

Many small bags hold about 0.5 cubic feet. Leave blank to skip the bag count.

Gravel estimate

Cubic feet
66.667
Cubic yards
2.469
Tons at 1.5 tons/yd³
3.704
Bags (0.5 cu ft)
134

Volume estimate only — not a delivery quote. Density varies with rock type and moisture. Compaction, waste, and price are not included. Bag counts round up.

How to use

  1. Enter length and width in feet, and depth in inches or feet.
  2. Set the density in tons per cubic yard. The default is 1.5. Leave it blank to skip tons.
  3. Set the bag size in cubic feet if you want a bag count. The default is 0.5. Leave it blank to skip bags.
  4. Read cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, and bags. This estimates volume, not a delivery price.

Formula

Cubic feet = length × width × depth, with every dimension in feet. Convert a depth in inches by dividing by 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per cubic yard). Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag volume, rounded up to a whole bag.

Example. A 20 ft by 10 ft driveway at 4 inches is 20 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.667 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 2.469 cubic yards. At 1.5 tons per cubic yard that is 3.704 tons. At 0.5 cubic feet per bag, rounded up, that is 134 bags.

Example. A 9 ft by 3 ft path at 0.5 ft deep is 9 × 3 × 0.5 = 13.5 cubic feet, or 0.5 cubic yards. At 1.5 tons per cubic yard that is 0.75 tons, or 27 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate gravel needed?

Length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20×10 driveway at 4 inches is about 2.5 cubic yards.

How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?

Often about 1.4–1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on rock type and moisture. This tool uses a typical 1.5 tons/yd³ you can edit.

How deep should a gravel driveway be?

Four inches of surface gravel is a common DIY figure; bases may be deeper. Confirm with your supplier.

Bags vs bulk?

The tool shows cubic yards (bulk) and an optional 0.5 cu ft bag count. Bulk is usually cheaper for driveways.

Is this a delivery quote?

No. It estimates volume and tons. Prices and compaction vary.