Gravel Calculator
Find out how much gravel you need for a driveway, path, or patio. Enter the length, width, and depth of the area to see the weight in tons and the volume in cubic yards.
Gravel needed
2.5 tons
Check the highlighted fields to see your result.
- Volume
- 1.85 cu yd
- Area covered
- 200 sq ft
Results are estimates for information only and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.
How it works
First, the calculator finds the volume of gravel: the area times the depth. Gravel is usually sold by the ton, so then it multiplies the volume by the gravel's density to get the weight.
The formulas
Cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Tons = cubic feet × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000
Worked example
A path is 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, and you want gravel 3 inches deep.
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet, or 50 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.85 cubic yards.
- Weight: 50 × 100 lb ÷ 2,000 = 2.5 tons.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should gravel be?
About 2 inches for a decorative layer or a walking path, 3 to 4 inches for a patio base or a garden path that gets a lot of use, and 4 to 6 inches or more for a driveway, often in layers of different sizes.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 1.4 tons (2,700 to 2,800 lb) for common gravel, depending on the type of stone and how wet it is. Crushed stone and pea gravel are similar; lava rock is much lighter. Ask your supplier for the exact weight per yard.
Should I buy extra?
Gravel settles and compacts once it's spread and walked on, so many people order 5% to 10% more than the calculated amount, especially for driveways.