Gravel calculators take the guesswork out of ordering stone for driveways, walkways, drains, and landscape beds. Homeowners topping a path and contractors bidding a pad both need volume and weight. Order short and the job stalls; order heavy and money sits wasted.
The Gravel Volume Formula
Volume equals area x depth. A driveway 20 ft long and 10 ft wide at 4 inches deep is 200 sq ft times 0.333 ft, about 2.5 cubic yards. At about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that is roughly 3.4 tons.
Circular areas start with area from pi x radius squared. A 12 ft circle covers 113 sq ft before depth is applied.
Ordering Gravel the Right Way
Choose Imperial or Metric units, pick Rectangular or Circular, enter length, width or radius, and depth, then press Calculate Gravel. Results list Gravel volume, weight, and cost, so comparing quotes takes seconds.
Add 5 to 10 percent for compaction and spillage, because gravel settles. Double check the depth unit, since typing 4 where inches belong slashes the order by two thirds.
A drain trench is a classic third case: 30 ft long, 1 ft wide, and 2 ft deep holds 60 cubic feet, which divides by 27 to about 2.2 cubic yards, or 3.1 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Flip the unit selector to Metric and the same trench entered as 9 m by 0.3 m by 0.6 m reports roughly 1.6 cubic meters, so the tool converts your workflow, not just the answer. Because trench walls waste stone and trucks deliver full loads only, round the final tonnage up to the next half ton.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
One cubic yard of crushed gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, roughly 2,800 lbs. Rounded decorative stone runs lighter, dense limestone heavier, so confirm with your supplier.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan 4 to 6 inches for a residential driveway, or 8 to 12 over soft soil. A 20 x 10 ft drive at 4 inches needs about 2.5 cubic yards.
How far does a ton of gravel spread?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers about 100 to 120 sq ft. At 4 inches, it drops to roughly 50 to 60 sq ft.
Tons or yards: how do suppliers sell gravel?
Most sell by the ton while you plan by volume, so convert at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 3 cubic yard order means about 4.2 tons.
How much extra gravel should I order?
Plan 5 to 10 percent extra for compaction, uneven ground, and spillage. On a 3 cubic yard job that adds 0.2 cubic yards, near 600 lbs.