How Much Gravel Do I Need Calculator
If you are wondering how much gravel do I need for a driveway, path, or garden bed, this free gravel depth calculator answers it in seconds. Enter your project area and the depth you want, and it converts the loose volume into cubic feet, cubic yards rounded up for ordering, an estimated weight in tons, and bag counts for small areas — so you buy the right amount the first time.
Enter your numbers
Your results
| Project area | — |
| Depth | — |
| Gravel type | — |
| Exact volume (no allowance) | — |
| With waste & settling allowance | — |
| Order (rounded up to 0.5 yd³) | — |
| Estimated weight | — |
| 0.5 ft³ bags | — |
Estimates: weight assumes 1 cubic yard of gravel ≈ 1.4 tons and varies with stone type and moisture; bag counts are rounded up and shown for projects under 2 cubic yards. Suppliers sell bulk gravel by the cubic yard, so the order quantity is rounded up to the nearest half yard.
How to use this calculator
Start by entering your project area. Choose Dimensions and type the length and width in feet (for example, a 10 by 10 foot patio), or choose Area (sq ft) and type the total square footage directly — handy for irregularly shaped beds where you measured the area yourself.
Next, set the depth. The preset buttons cover the most common choices: 2 inches for decorative top dressing, 3 inches for garden beds and walkways, 4 inches for paths and light vehicle areas, and 6 inches for driveways and heavy-use bases. Type a custom value if your project calls for something in between.
Pick your gravel type — pea gravel, crushed stone, or river rock. The type does not change the volume math; it only adjusts the settling note under the results, which tells you how much that stone type tends to settle, labeled as an estimate. Set the waste and settling allowance too — 5 to 10 percent covers spillage, uneven subgrade, and settling, and 7 percent is the default.
Results update instantly as you type. The headline number is what to order, rounded up to the nearest half cubic yard, because bulk gravel is sold by the yard and you do not want to run short.
How it works
The math is simple volume. First, cubic feet = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12. Then cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Your waste allowance is applied on top: volume with allowance = exact volume × (1 + waste % ÷ 100). The order quantity is rounded up to the nearest half yard with ceil(cubic yards × 2) ÷ 2.
Take the worked example on this page: 100 square feet at 3 inches deep gives exactly 100 × 3 ÷ 12 = 25.00 cubic feet, which is 25 ÷ 27 = 0.926 cubic yards. With the default 7 percent allowance that becomes 0.991 cubic yards, so the calculator recommends ordering 1 cubic yard.
The weight is an estimate: one cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons (about 2,800 pounds), so the estimated weight is cubic yards × 1.4. Actual weight varies with stone type and moisture — suppliers quote volume, not weight, so treat tons as a planning estimate only. Bag counts use common 0.5-cubic-foot bags, are rounded up, and are shown for projects under 2 cubic yards, where buying bags can make sense. The gravel type only changes the settling guidance (an estimate), never the volume numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 patio at 3 inches deep?
Exactly 25 cubic feet, which is 0.926 cubic yards — so order 1 cubic yard. That is 100 square feet times 3 inches divided by 12 (25 cubic feet), divided by 27 (0.926 cubic yards). With the default 7 percent waste and settling allowance it becomes 0.991 cubic yards, which still rounds up to 1 cubic yard.
How do I calculate cubic yards of gravel by hand?
Measure the area in square feet and multiply by the depth in inches, then divide by 12 to get cubic feet. Divide the cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, and round up to the nearest half yard for ordering. Example: 200 square feet at 4 inches deep is 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cubic feet, which is 2.47 cubic yards — order 2.5 cubic yards.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons (roughly 2,800 pounds) per cubic yard — an estimate that varies with stone type and moisture content. So ordering 1 cubic yard of gravel means hauling roughly 1.4 tons; this calculator shows the estimated weight next to your order quantity.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway versus a walkway?
Driveways generally need 4 to 6 inches of gravel over a compacted base so the surface does not rut under vehicle weight. Walkways and garden paths do well at 3 to 4 inches, and decorative beds only need 2 to 3 inches. Deeper is not always better — beyond about 6 inches loose gravel shifts underfoot, so check local specifications for heavy-use areas.
Is this the same as the landscape fabric or paver patio calculator?
No. This calculator measures loose gravel volume by depth — how many cubic yards of stone to spread on the ground. The Landscape Fabric Calculator estimates the fabric rolls that go under the gravel to block weeds, and the Paver Patio Calculator counts pavers and base material for a paver surface instead of loose stone. They are companion tools: fabric under, pavers instead.