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Gravel Calculator — Free 2026

Calculate how much gravel you need for driveways, paths and landscaping. Get results in cubic yards, tons and bags.

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (inches)

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Cubic Yards

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Cubic Feet

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Tons (approx)

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50-lb Bags

How It Works

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How to Estimate Gravel for Your Project

Whether you are building a gravel driveway, filling a garden path, or creating a drainage bed, knowing exactly how much gravel to order saves money and prevents waste. Gravel is typically sold by the cubic yard for bulk delivery or by the bag at home improvement stores. This calculator converts your measurements into every common unit.

Volume and Weight Conversion

The formula for gravel volume is straightforward: length times width times depth, all in consistent units. This calculator accepts feet for length and width and inches for depth, handling the conversion automatically. For weight estimation, standard gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard, though this varies by type — pea gravel is lighter while crushed limestone is heavier. For converting between other units, use our unit converter.

Gravel Depth Guidelines

The right depth depends on your application. Garden paths and decorative beds need 2-3 inches. Patios and walkways require 3-4 inches. Driveways need 4-6 inches in multiple layers. French drains and drainage beds typically need 6-12 inches of gravel. Always compact each layer before adding the next for maximum stability and longevity. For concrete projects alongside your gravel work, try our concrete calculator.

Bulk vs. Bagged Gravel

For projects requiring more than half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is significantly more economical. A 50-lb bag covers about 0.5 cubic feet, meaning you would need 54 bags per cubic yard at roughly three to five times the cost of bulk. Most landscape supply companies deliver in 1-yard minimums and will spread the material for an additional fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how much gravel I need?

Multiply the length by width (in feet) to get the area, then multiply by the depth (in feet). Divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. For depth in inches, divide the depth by 12 first.

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs) for standard crushed stone and pea gravel. The exact weight varies by type: crushed limestone is about 1.3 tons per yard, river rock is about 1.35 tons.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

A gravel driveway typically needs 4-6 inches of gravel in three layers: a 4-inch base layer of larger crushed stone, a 2-inch middle layer of medium stone, and a 2-inch top layer of fine gravel. For walkways and patios, 2-3 inches is usually sufficient.

How many 50-lb bags of gravel do I need?

A 50-lb bag of gravel covers approximately 0.5 cubic feet. Divide your total cubic feet by 0.5 to get the number of bags. For large projects, bulk delivery by the cubic yard is much more economical.