Landscaping
Gravel Calculator
Enter the area dimensions in feet and the gravel depth in inches to get the cubic yards and US tons to order, with wastage and an optional cost estimate.
Formula tested · Local units · No sign-up
Project inputs
Enter measurements
Use your preferred units. Results update automatically.
Show the calculation methodFormula, conversions, rounding, and assumptions+
Volume = length × width × depth. Because depth is in inches while the area is in feet, the calculator converts first — a 3-inch layer is 0.25 ft, so a 9 ft × 12 ft area needs 9 × 12 × 0.25 = 27 cubic feet, which is exactly one cubic yard.
US gravel and crushed stone are usually sold by the short ton (2,000 lb), so the volume is converted to weight using the density you enter (default 1,680 kg/m³, a typical value for compacted gravel — check your supplier's figure) and rounded up to the next quarter ton.
Real-world example
Worked example: 9 ft × 12 ft parking strip, 3 in deep
- Convert depth: 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
- Volume: 9 × 12 × 0.25 = 27 cubic feet = exactly 1 cubic yard.
- Add 5% wastage: 1.05 cubic yards.
- Convert to weight at 1,680 kg/m³: about 1,349 kg = 1.49 short tons.
- Round up to the ordering increment: 1.5 tons.
Order 1.5 tons. At an example price of $50 per ton with 8% sales tax, that's $75.00 + $6.00 = $81.00.
Before you start
How to measure
- Measure the area's length and width in feet; for driveways with a curve, measure along the centreline and use the average width.
- Pick depth by use: 2–3 inches for decorative cover over fabric, 3–4 inches for paths, more (in compacted layers) for driveways — see the table below.
- If you're layering different stone sizes (base plus top course), run each layer as its own calculation.
Local guidance
Notes for United States
- US aggregate is priced per short ton (2,000 lb) — different from the metric tonne (2,204.6 lb) used elsewhere, so don't mix the two when comparing quotes.
- Stone names and gradations (pea gravel, #57 stone, crusher run) vary by region and quarry; density varies with them, so use your supplier's lbs-per-cubic-yard or tons-per-yard figure if they give one.
- Sales tax varies by state and locality and is entered manually; quarry quotes usually exclude it and delivery.
Quick reference
Gravel depth quick reference (typical planning values)
| Application | Common depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative cover over fabric | 2–3 in |
| Garden paths | 3–4 in |
| Driveway top course | 3–4 in (over a compacted base) |
| Driveway including base layers | 8–12 in total, compacted in lifts |
Planning values only — ground conditions and vehicle loads determine the real build-up.
Good to know
Common mistakes to avoid
- Multiplying feet by inches without converting — this overstates volume by 12×.
- Confusing short tons with metric tonnes when comparing supplier quotes.
- Using the loose-fill density for material that will be compacted — compacted gravel takes more stone for the same finished depth, which is what the wastage allowance and the 1,680 kg/m³ default lean towards.
- Ordering a driveway's full depth as one layer instead of pricing base and top courses separately.
Need help?
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel for a 10 ft × 10 ft area at 3 inches?
10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet. With 5% wastage that's 26.25 cubic feet ≈ 0.74 m³, which at the default 1,680 kg/m³ weighs about 1,249 kg = 1.38 short tons — so order 1.5 tons.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
At the default density of 1,680 kg/m³, one cubic yard (0.7646 m³) weighs about 1,284 kg ≈ 1.4 short tons. Actual figures vary by stone — pea gravel, crushed limestone and crusher run all differ, so check your supplier's number.
Should I order by the ton or by the cubic yard?
Quarries usually weigh trucks, so tons is the native unit; some landscape yards sell smaller quantities by the cubic yard. This calculator shows both so you can compare either quote — just enter the price in the unit your supplier uses.
Keep planning
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About this calculator
- Written by:
- BuildMeasure Editorial Team
- Technically reviewed by:
- Pending independent technical reviewer (formula unit-tested; see methodology)
- Last reviewed:
- 2026-07-16
- Formula version:
- 1.0.0
- Region reviewed for:
- United States
- Spotted an error?
- Report a correction
Methodology
- Volume is computed as length × width × depth, converted internally to SI units (metres) before any arithmetic to avoid unit drift.
- The wastage allowance is applied to the exact volume to cover compaction, settling and spreading losses.
- Weight = total volume × density. The density default of 1,680 kg/m³ is a clearly-labelled typical value for compacted gravel and is fully editable — actual density varies with stone type, size and moisture, so use your supplier's figure.
- Because gravel is usually sold by weight, the suggested order rounds the weight UP to the next 0.25 of the regional selling unit (US short tons in the US, metric tonnes elsewhere).
- The cost estimate simply multiplies the suggested order weight by the price you enter, then applies the tax rate you enter. No prices are built in.
- The formula is covered by automated unit tests, including hand-calculated worked examples, and is versioned (see formula version on this page).
Sources & standards
- Unit definitions: 1 US short ton = 2,000 lb = 907.18474 kg; 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³ (exact definitions).
- Density default: 1,680 kg/m³ (≈1.4 short tons per cubic yard) is a typical planning value for compacted gravel — editable; check your supplier's figure.
This tool provides a material estimate for planning purposes only. It is not a quotation, and the weight conversion depends on the density you enter — stone type and moisture change it. Confirm quantities and density with your supplier before ordering.