# Gravel Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/construction/gravel/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The gravel calculator works out how much gravel you need from the area and depth, in cubic yards, cubic metres, tons and tonnes, and estimates the cost from a price per ton or per cubic yard.

## Inputs

- Material
- Custom density (kg/m³, lb/ft³, g/cm³, lb/yd³)
- Area shape
- Length (or diameter) (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Width (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Depth (in, cm, mm, ft, m)
- Extra for waste and compaction (%)
- Priced by
- Price per weight (/US ton, /t, /lb, /kg)
- Price per volume (/yd³, /m³, /ft³)

## Results

- Area
- Volume needed
- Weight needed
- Estimated cost

## Formula

```
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste)
Weight = volume × density
Cost = weight × price per ton (or volume × price per yd³)
```

## Explanation

Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards or cubic metres) at some yards and by weight (tons or tonnes) at others, so a useful estimate gives you both. The density of gravel depends on the stone, the size of the pieces and how wet it is – washed ¾-inch stone weighs around 1.5 t/m³ loose, while wet mixed gravel can top 2 t/m³. This calculator lets you pick the type of gravel, the shape of the area and the depth, and adds an allowance for compaction and waste.

### How to use the Gravel Calculator

- **Material**
- **Custom density**
- **Area shape**
- **Length (or diameter)**
- **Width**
- **Depth**
- **Extra for waste and compaction**
- **Priced by**
- **Price per weight**
- **Price per volume**
- Every result field is editable: type into **Volume needed** or any other result and **Depth** plus every other field update to match.

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

The calculator finds the area of your rectangle, circle or triangle, multiplies it by the depth and adds the waste allowance to get the volume. Multiplying by the density of the chosen material gives the weight, and the price you enter turns either one into a cost.

### Densities used

Materialkg/m³lb/ft³US tons per yd³Gravel, loose, dry1,52295.01.28Gravel, dry ¼–2 in1,682105.01.42Gravel, wet ¼–2 in2,002125.01.69Pea gravel1,52094.91.28Crushed stone1,602100.01.35Gravel and sand, dry1,650103.01.39Gravel and sand, wet2,020126.11.70Gravel and clay1,60099.91.35River rock1,60099.91.35Limestone, crushed1,55497.01.31Granite, crushed1,650103.01.39Basalt, crushed1,954122.01.65Marble chips1,57098.01.32Road base (aggregate base course)2,243140.01.89Recycled concrete, crushed1,900118.61.60Asphalt millings1,30081.21.10

### Gravel sizes

NameSizeTypical use#1 (rip-rap base)2–4 inBase of new driveways#31–2 inDrainage, driveway base#57¾–1 inDriveways, drainage, concrete aggregate#67¾ in and smallerConcrete mix, base layers#8 / pea gravel⅜ inPaths, play areas, pipe bedding#10 / screeningsdust to ¼ inPaver base, fines for compaction#411#57 + dustTop layer that packs hard

### Good to know

A U.S. (short) ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb). Quarries in the U.S. sell by the short ton, so check which one your quote uses.

### Tips for an accurate estimate

- Sketch the job and split irregular areas into rectangles, circles and triangles before you measure.
- Add a waste allowance – typically 5–10% for simple layouts and 15–20% for diagonal, curved or heavily cut work.
- Check the coverage or yield printed on the product, because sizes and densities vary between manufacturers.
- Buy all units of a finished material (tile, brick, siding) from the same batch so colours match, and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Confirm local prices – quarry, lumber and steel prices vary widely by region and season.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Ordering exactly the calculated amount with no allowance for breakage, offcuts and settlement.
- Forgetting to subtract doors, windows and other openings – or subtracting small ones that still need cutting around.
- Confusing US short tons (2,000 lb) with metric tonnes (1,000 kg) when comparing quotes.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMaterialChoose one: Gravel, loose, dry, Gravel, dry ¼–2 in, Gravel, wet ¼–2 in, Pea gravel …Custom densityUnits: kg/m³, lb/ft³, g/cm³, lb/yd³Area shapeChoose one: Rectangle / square, Circle (length = diameter), Triangle (length = base, width = height)Length (or diameter)Units: ft, m, in, yd, cmWidthUnits: ft, m, in, yd, cmDepthUnits: in, cm, mm, ft, mExtra for waste and compactionIn %Priced byChoose one: Weight (per ton / tonne), Volume (per yd³ / m³)Price per weightUnits: /US ton, /t, /lb, /kgPrice per volumeUnits: /yd³, /m³, /ft³

## Worked example

Inputs — Material: Gravel, loose, dry; Custom density: 1,600 kg/m³; Area shape: Rectangle / square; Length (or diameter): 20 ft; Width: 10 ft; Depth: 4 in; Extra for waste and compaction: 10 %; Priced by: Weight (per ton / tonne); Price per weight: $45 /US ton; Price per volume: $60 /yd³.

Results — Area = 200 ft²; **Volume needed = 2.716 yd³**; Weight needed = 3.484 US ton; Estimated cost = $156.78.

## FAQ

**How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?**
Roughly 1.3–1.5 US tons (2,600–3,000 lb) for dry gravel; wet gravel can weigh 1.7 tons or more.

**How deep should gravel be?**
2–3 in for paths and patios, 4–6 in for driveways over a compacted base, and 4 in around drainage pipes.

**How much area does a ton of gravel cover?**
At 2 in deep, a ton covers about 100 ft² (9 m²); at 4 in, about 50 ft².

**Why add extra?**
Gravel settles and compacts by 10–15% once it is rolled or driven on, and the subgrade is rarely perfectly flat.

**What formula does the Gravel Calculator use?**
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste).


## Sources

- [The Engineering ToolBox – Bulk densities of materials](https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/density-materials-d_1652.html)