Calculate the exact amount of gravel needed for your driveway, walkway, or landscaping project. Get instant results in cubic yards, tons, and estimated costs.
Pro Tip: Add 10-15% extra gravel to account for compaction and future maintenance.
Follow these four steps to get an accurate gravel estimate for any project shape or size.
Measure the length and width of your project area using a tape measure or measuring wheel.
Decide on the desired depth of gravel. Typically 2-4 inches for walkways, 4-6 inches for driveways.
Choose your gravel type from our list. Different materials have different weights and coverage rates.
Instantly receive calculations for volume, weight, and estimated costs for your gravel project.
Learn what each result means and how to use it when ordering or planning your project.
Pea Gravel: Perfect for walkways, patios, and decorative landscaping. Smooth, rounded stones that are easy to walk on.
Crushed Stone: Ideal for driveways and road bases. Provides excellent compaction and drainage.
River Rock: Great for drainage applications and decorative features. Natural, smooth appearance.
Limestone: Excellent for driveways and pathways. Compacts well and provides a stable surface.
Prepare the Base: Clear vegetation and level the ground. Compact the soil for stability.
Add Landscape Fabric: Install weed barrier fabric to prevent weed growth through gravel.
Proper Depth: 2-3 inches for walkways, 4-6 inches for driveways, 8-12 inches for heavy traffic areas.
Edge Restraints: Use edging materials to prevent gravel from spreading into surrounding areas.
Material Costs: Gravel prices vary by type, location, and quantity. Bulk purchases are more economical.
Delivery Fees: Factor in delivery costs, especially for large quantities or remote locations.
Installation: DIY installation saves money but requires proper tools and preparation.
Maintenance: Budget for periodic top-ups and edge maintenance over time.
Accurate Measurements: Use a measuring tape or wheel for precise length and width measurements.
Account for Slopes: Measure along the actual surface, not just horizontal distance for sloped areas.
Irregular Shapes: Break complex areas into rectangles and triangles for easier calculation.
Add Extra: Order 10-15% more material to account for compaction and future maintenance.
The calculator uses these density values to convert cubic yards to tons. Your supplier may use slightly different figures — always confirm before ordering large quantities.
| Material | Density (tons/cu yd) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (3/4" minus) | 1.35 – 1.42 | Driveways, road base |
| Pea gravel | 1.28 – 1.35 | Walkways, playgrounds |
| Gravel with sand mix | 1.52 – 1.62 | Sub-base, drainage fill |
| River rock | 1.35 – 1.45 | Landscaping, drainage |
| Limestone gravel | 1.30 – 1.40 | Driveways, paths |
| Dry sand | 1.30 – 1.35 | Paver setting, fill |
Two formulas drive every result this calculator produces. Here is exactly how to run them by hand.
Step 1 — Volume in cubic yards:
Volume (cu yd) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Always convert depth to feet before multiplying — e.g., 4 inches = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
Step 2 — Weight in short tons:
Weight (tons) = Volume (cu yd) × Density (tons/cu yd)
Standard crushed stone density is 1.42 tons per cubic yard. One short ton = 2,000 lbs. One metric ton = 2,204 lbs.
You are installing a new gravel driveway that is 60 feet long, 12 feet wide, and you want a 4-inch depth of crushed stone. Your local supplier charges $38 per short ton delivered.
Calculate area
60 ft × 12 ft = 720 sq ft
Convert depth to feet
4 inches ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
Calculate volume
720 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 239.8 cu ft ÷ 27 = 8.88 cubic yards
Calculate weight
8.88 cu yd × 1.42 tons/cu yd = 12.6 short tons
Add 12% compaction buffer
12.6 × 1.12 = 14.1 tons to order
Estimate total cost
14.1 tons × $38/ton = ~$536 for materials (plus any delivery fee)
Quick check: Enter 60 ft length, 12 ft width, 4 in depth, and $38/ton into the calculator above — your results should match these figures.
See how typical homeowners use this calculator across six of the most common gravel projects.
A typical two-car driveway runs about 20 ft wide × 40 ft long. At a 4-inch depth, you need roughly 9.9 cubic yards (14 tons) of crushed stone. Budget $490–$700 for materials at $35–$50/ton, plus $150–$300 for delivery depending on distance.
Use the Rectangle method. Enter 20 × 40 ft, depth 4 in, density = crushed stone.
A 40-foot garden path at 3 ft wide and 2 inches deep requires about 0.74 cubic yards (1 ton) of pea gravel. At $45/ton this costs roughly $45 in material — a very manageable weekend project. Most homeowners can spread one ton by hand in an afternoon.
Use the Rectangle method. Enter 40 × 3 ft, depth 2 in.
A circular bed 10 ft in diameter filled 3 inches deep needs about 0.73 cubic yards (roughly 1 ton) of river rock. The Circle mode in this calculator handles the math so you do not need to calculate π yourself.
Switch to Circle mode. Enter 10 ft diameter, depth 3 in.
A 20 × 20 ft parking pad at 6-inch depth for heavy vehicles needs 14.8 cubic yards (21 tons). This is a significant project — plan for a sub-base layer of road base plus a 3-inch finish layer of #57 crushed stone. Total material cost typically runs $700–$1,200 depending on local pricing.
Run two calculations: one for the sub-base (6 in, road base density) and one for the finish layer (3 in, crushed stone).
A French drain trench 50 ft long, 1 ft wide, and 2 ft deep requires about 3.7 cubic yards (5.3 tons) of drainage rock (washed #57 stone). Use the Rectangle mode and enter depth in feet rather than inches for deep trenches. Washed stone adds roughly 10–20% to the cost versus standard crushed gravel.
Rectangle method. Enter 50 × 1 ft, depth 2 ft (select Feet as depth unit).
Replacing mulch with decorative gravel across a 500 sq ft front yard at 2 inches deep requires 3.1 cubic yards (4.4 tons). Use the "Use Total Area" mode and enter 500 sq ft. Decorative pea gravel runs $45–$75/ton, so expect $200–$330 in material costs — more than mulch upfront but far less maintenance over time.
Switch to "Use Total Area". Enter 500 sq ft, depth 2 in.
Depth is the single biggest variable in your material estimate. Too shallow and gravel migrates or packs down fast. Too deep and you overspend unnecessarily.
| Project Type | Recommended Depth | Best Gravel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden walkway / path | 2–3 inches | Pea gravel, decomposed granite | Install landscape fabric beneath to limit weeds |
| Patio or seating area | 3–4 inches | Pea gravel, crusher fines | Compact base soil well; use edging to contain spread |
| Residential driveway | 4–6 inches | Crushed stone #57 or #411 | 4" finish layer over a compacted sub-base is ideal |
| Heavy-use driveway / RV pad | 6–8 inches | Road base + crusher run top | Two-layer approach: coarse base + fine finish |
| Decorative landscaping | 2–3 inches | River rock, lava rock, marble chips | Thicker layers add cost with no functional benefit |
| French drain trench | Fill full trench depth | Washed #57 stone | Surround perforated pipe; use filter fabric wrap |
| Commercial lot / truck access | 8–12 inches | Crusher run, recycled concrete | Geogrid reinforcement recommended in soft soil areas |
Caliche gravel is a locally abundant, low-cost option across central and west Texas. It compacts firmly in the heat. For drainage-sensitive zones in Houston or the Gulf Coast, use washed crushed stone rather than caliche to prevent clay buildup. Prices average $20–$35/ton at the quarry.
Freeze-thaw cycles cause significant heaving in shallow gravel driveways. Add 1–2 extra inches of depth compared to warmer-climate recommendations. A 6-inch base of road base beneath a 3-inch finish layer is the standard for driveway longevity in USDA zones 3–5.
High water tables mean drainage is your top priority. Use open-graded crushed shell or #57 washed stone — materials that move water quickly. Avoid fine-graded gravel that can pack into an impermeable layer. In many Florida counties, a crushed shell driveway costs 20–30% less than crushed limestone.
Even well-installed gravel requires periodic attention. Here is a simple annual maintenance plan to keep your driveway or path in top condition and extend its lifespan beyond 15 years.
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Get answers to common questions about gravel calculations and installation
For a standard driveway, you will need 4–6 inches of gravel depth. Measure the length and width of your driveway, multiply by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a typical two-car driveway (20 × 40 ft) at 4 inches deep, that is about 9.9 cubic yards or 14 short tons of crushed stone. Our calculator handles all unit conversions automatically.
Cubic yards measure volume — the physical space gravel occupies. Tons measure weight. Different gravel types have different densities, so the same volume can weigh differently. One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.3 short tons, while standard crushed stone weighs about 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard. Suppliers in some regions sell by cubic yard (by volume), while others sell by the ton (by weight) — always ask your supplier which unit they quote in before using the calculator's cost estimate.
Recommended depths vary by use: 2–3 inches for walkways and garden paths, 3–4 inches for patios and seating areas, 4–6 inches for residential driveways, 6–8 inches for heavy-use or RV driveways, and 8–12 inches for commercial parking or truck access areas. In northern states with significant freeze-thaw cycles, add 1–2 extra inches to any driveway depth to prevent heaving.
Yes — always order 10–15% more than your calculated amount. Gravel compacts 10–15% after installation, ground surfaces are rarely perfectly level, and you will want extra material for edge spillover and future maintenance top-ups. A second delivery can cost as much as the material itself, so ordering slightly more upfront is always the smarter financial choice.
Crushed stone — specifically #57 stone or 3/4-inch minus — is the most widely recommended driveway gravel in the US. It compacts well under vehicle weight, drains effectively, and does not shift. Avoid round stones like pea gravel for driveways; they roll under tires, scatter, and never fully compact. For the base layer, use road base (crusher run) which contains fine particles that lock larger stones in place.
Break irregular areas into simple shapes — rectangles, triangles, and circles. Calculate the area of each section separately, then add them together to get total square footage. For complex curved shapes, you can use a measuring wheel to trace the perimeter, or use the "Use Total Area" mode in the calculator to enter a pre-measured total. For triangular sections, area = (base × height) ÷ 2.
For driveways and high-traffic areas, a compacted sub-base of larger stones (road base or crusher run) is strongly recommended before adding the finish gravel layer. This sub-base provides structural support, improves drainage, and prevents the finish layer from sinking into soft soil. For walkways and light-use areas, gravel can often be placed directly on prepared, compacted native soil — but lay landscape fabric first to prevent weed growth.
In the US, bulk crushed stone generally costs $15–$50 per ton or $20–$60 per cubic yard for standard material delivered to your site. Decorative gravel (river rock, marble chips, lava rock) costs $50–$100+ per ton. Delivery fees add $50–$200 depending on distance. Buying in bulk (10+ tons) typically reduces the per-unit price by 15–25% compared to smaller orders. Contact local quarries and landscape suppliers for current pricing in your ZIP code — prices vary significantly by region.
Small projects — walkways, garden beds, patios under 200 sq ft — are very DIY-friendly with just a shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow. Larger driveways that need excavation (removing 4–6 inches of soil), grading for proper drainage slope, or heavy compaction work benefit from renting a plate compactor or hiring a contractor. Professional installation of a full driveway typically costs $1–$3 per sq ft in labor on top of materials.
With proper installation and routine maintenance, gravel driveways last 10–25 years or more. The biggest lifespan factors are drainage quality (standing water weakens any gravel surface), traffic volume, and how regularly you top-dress and regrade. Annual raking and a top-up every 2–3 years extend a driveway's life significantly. In contrast, neglected surfaces with poor drainage may need full replacement in 5–7 years.