Use this free gravel calculator to estimate how many cubic yards, tons, and bags of gravel you need for driveways, walkways, patios, and drainage projects. Works for pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock, decomposed granite, and other landscape aggregates. Enter the area you want to cover, pick your depth and material — get instant quantities and cost.
How to use this gravel calculator
- Pick the area shape. Use Rectangle for driveways, walkways, and patios. Use Circle for fire-pit surrounds or round drainage pits. For L-shaped areas, split into two rectangles and add the results.
- Enter the dimensions. Measure in feet. For a typical driveway apron, 20 × 10 ft is a reasonable starting point.
- Set the depth in inches. Use 2 inches for a decorative top dressing, 3 inches for a standard walkway, 4–6 inches for a driveway (split into a 3–4 inch base layer and a 2 inch top). French drains typically need 6–12 inches.
- Choose the material. Densities are pre-filled based on industry averages. Pea gravel and crushed stone are the most common; river rock is heavier and more decorative; decomposed granite compacts into a firm surface.
- Add a 5–10% waste factor for settling, spillage, and uneven ground. Contractors typically use 5% for clean rectangular areas, 10% for irregular shapes.
- Click Calculate to see cubic yards, tons, number of 0.5 cu ft bags, and estimated cost based on your price per ton.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply length by width to get area in square feet. Multiply by your depth in feet (inches divided by 12). That gives cubic feet — divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the gravel’s density (about 1.4 tons per yard for most crushed stone) to get tons. Add 5–10% for waste.
How much gravel do I need for a 10×10 area?
At 2 inches deep, a 10×10 ft area needs about 0.62 cubic yards (about 0.87 tons) of crushed stone. At 3 inches deep, that jumps to 0.93 cubic yards (about 1.3 tons). At 4 inches, 1.23 cubic yards (about 1.7 tons). Always add 5–10% for waste and compaction.
How much area will 1 ton of gravel cover?
One ton of crushed stone or pea gravel covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 50 square feet at 4 inches deep. Heavier materials like river rock cover slightly less area per ton because of higher density.
How much is 1 truckload of gravel?
A standard dump truck holds about 10–14 cubic yards (roughly 14–20 tons). Delivered cost runs $300–$700 depending on material and distance. A tri-axle truck can hold up to 20 cubic yards. Call local aggregate suppliers for exact delivery minimums — some charge a flat rate regardless of load size.
What’s the difference between cubic yards and tons?
Cubic yards measure volume (how much space the gravel takes up). Tons measure weight. Aggregate suppliers typically sell by the ton but deliver by the truckload. The conversion depends on density: most gravels are 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard. Heavier rocks like basalt or granite can be 1.7 tons per yard.
What’s better for a driveway: pea gravel or crushed stone?
Crushed stone wins for driveways. The angular edges lock together and resist rutting from tire traffic. Pea gravel’s round shape lets it roll and scatter, so it works better for decorative areas or walkways. For the longest-lasting driveway, use a 4 inch base of #2 or #3 crushed stone with a 2 inch top layer of #57 or #8.