Gravel Calculator
Estimate tons and cubic yards of gravel, sand, or rock needed for your driveway or landscaping project. Calculate based on area and depth.
How to Calculate Gravel
Estimating gravel, sand, or topsoil involves finding the volume of the area you want to fill and then converting that volume to weight based on the material's density.
Step 1: Calculate Volume
For a rectangular driveway or path:Volume = Length × Width × Depth
Ensure all units are consistent (e.g., convert inches to feet) before multiplying. Our calculator handles this conversion for you automatically.
Step 2: Convert to Cubic Yards
Most suppliers sell bulk material by the Cubic Yard.Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
Step 3: Estimate Weight (Tons)
Since density varies by material, we multiply the volume by a standard density factor:
- Standard Gravel: ~1.4 tons per cubic yard (2800 lbs)
- Sand: ~1.35 tons per cubic yard
- Topsoil: ~1.2 tons per cubic yard
- Mulch: ~0.4 tons per cubic yard
Tips for Ordering
- Compaction: Material settles. If you compact it, you might need 10-15% more volume than the raw calculation suggests.
- Rounding: Suppliers typically round up. If you need 3.2 tons, you may have to pay for 3.5 or 4 tons.
- Driveway Depth: Standard gravel driveways are usually 4 to 6 inches thick. Paths might be 2-3 inches.
? Frequently Asked Questions
A cubic yard of standard gravel typically weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs). This can vary slightly depending on the stone size and moisture content.
For a new driveway on bare soil, experts recommend at least 8-12 inches total depth, often done in layers. For top-dressing an existing driveway, 2-4 inches is standard.
Tons measure weight, while cubic yards measure volume. Suppliers may sell by either. Heavy materials like stone are often sold by the ton, while light materials like mulch are sold by the yard.