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 often sold by the short ton (2,000 lb). The calculator converts volume using the exact density you enter and rounds only when you also enter the supplier's quoted ton increment.
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.
- For this example, enter a 5% allowance: 1.05 cubic yards.
- Enter the example density of 1,680 kg/m³: about 1,349 kg = 1.49 short tons. Replace it with the selected supplier product's density.
- Enter the example supplier increment of 0.25 ton: 1.49 rounds up to 1.5 short tons.
The example order is 1.5 short tons only with the entered 5% allowance, 1,680 kg/m³ density and 0.25-ton quote increment.
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 a generic loose-fill density for material that will be compacted. Use the supplier's bulk density and loose-to-compacted conversion for the selected product and method.
- 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. If you enter a 5% allowance, 1,680 kg/m³ density and a 0.25-ton supplier increment, the result is about 1.38 short tons before supplier rounding and 1.5 short tons after it. Replace all three example inputs with project and quote values.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
At an entered density of 1,680 kg/m³, one cubic yard (0.7646 m³) converts to about 1,284 kg or 1.4 short tons. That is an arithmetic example, not a default: use the selected supplier product's density.
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.
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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:
- 2026-07-23
- Formula version:
- 1.1.0
- 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 optional wastage allowance is applied to exact finished volume for handling and uneven spreading. It is not a loose-to-compacted conversion; obtain that separately for the selected aggregate and method.
- Weight = total volume × the bulk density you enter for the exact product and condition. No default density is supplied because stone type, grading, moisture and loose or compacted state change the conversion.
- Supplier rounding occurs only when you enter the mass increment shown on the current quote. If the increment is blank, the calculator reports the unrounded calculated weight.
- The preliminary material subtotal multiplies calculated or supplier-rounded weight by the price you enter. Tax is added only after you confirm that the entered price excludes tax and provide a rate; an unresolved basis does not produce a final total.
- 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 boundary: Weight is calculated only from the bulk density entered for the selected product; no universal gravel density or order increment is assumed.
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.