Gravel Calculator
Paths, patios and borders. One order.
Combine areas, choose your gravel, and see cubic yards, tons and bags.
Your gravel estimate
Measure once.
Order with confidence.
Add your areas, a shared depth and a gravel type to begin.
Areas included
What if the depth changes?
| Depth | Volume | Weight | Bags |
|---|
Half, entered and double depth. These are mathematical comparisons, not recommended depths.
How much gravel do I need?
Gravel is measured by volume, then often sold by weight. Measure each rectangular area, or enter a known net area for a curved or irregular space. The calculator adds every area, applies one uniform depth, and converts the volume to weight using the density of your gravel.
It does not detect overlaps, slopes or edging automatically. Areas needing different depths require separate estimates.
The formula, made visible.
Volume in cubic feet = total square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
Weight in pounds = cubic feet × density in lb/ft³. US tons = pounds ÷ 2,000.
Metric: m³ = m² × depth in cm ÷ 100; kilograms = m³ × density in kg/m³.
A 30 × 3 ft path and a 12 × 10 ft patio total 210 ft². At 3 in deep they need 52.5 ft³ (1.944 yd³). At a typical 100 lb/ft³ that weighs 5,250 lb, or 2.625 US tons, and fills 105 bags of 0.5 ft³. With 10% extra: 57.75 ft³, about 2.89 US tons and 116 bags.
For 15 m² at 5 cm, the volume is 0.75 m³. At 1,600 kg/m³ that is 1,200 kg (1.2 t), or 30 bags of 25 L.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Gravel weight depends on stone type, size grading and moisture. These typical dry densities are the calculator’s starting values; a supplier’s figure for the exact product is more reliable.
| Material | lb/ft³ | lb per yd³ | US tons per yd³ | kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical gravel | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1,602 |
| Pea gravel | 95 | 2,565 | 1.283 | 1,522 |
| River rock | 105 | 2,835 | 1.418 | 1,682 |
| Crushed stone #57 | 90 | 2,430 | 1.215 | 1,442 |
| Crushed stone base (dense graded) | 125 | 3,375 | 1.688 | 2,002 |
| Decomposed granite | 103 | 2,781 | 1.391 | 1,650 |
| Lava rock | 51.5 | 1,390.5 | 0.695 | 825 |
Values follow the gravel density table published by CalculatorSoup. Other published figures for the same material differ by several percent; wet gravel weighs more.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 100 lb/ft³, one US ton (2,000 lb) is 20 ft³, or about 0.741 yd³. It covers about 120 ft² at 2 in, 80 ft² at 3 in or 60 ft² at 4 in deep. For 100 ft², the same gravel needs 0.833, 1.25 and 1.667 US tons at those depths.
Before you order.
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Work out the volume first, then multiply by the density. Tons = cubic yards × lb per cubic yard ÷ 2,000. With typical gravel at 2,700 lb per cubic yard, each cubic yard is about 1.35 US tons.
How many bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so it equals 54 bags of 0.5 ft³ or 27 bags of 1 ft³. Many 0.5 ft³ bags are labeled about 50 lb, which matches a density near 100 lb/ft³.
Should I add extra for compaction?
Compacted base layers settle, and some material is lost at edges. No extra is included automatically. Use the allowance field, up to 30%, and follow your supplier or installer’s guidance for the specific material.
How deep should gravel be?
That depends on the project, the material and what will use the surface. Check supplier, installer or local guidance. The comparison table only shows how changing your input changes volume, weight and bags.
Should I order bags or bulk?
Compare the purchase volume and weight with your supplier’s bag sizes, bulk units and delivery minimums. This tool does not calculate prices or delivery limits.
Method & privacy
For flat areas with a uniform layer. Weight is volume × density, using the purchase volume including any extra allowance. US tons are short tons of 2,000 lb; metric tonnes are 1,000 kg. Inputs stay in this browser; measurements are not stored or sent to our servers. Results use full precision, with at most three decimals displayed. Bags round up once, after combining all areas. Check your measurements before buying.