How Much Gravel Do I Need? A Complete Guide with Calculator

When starting a landscaping, driveway, or construction project, one of the first questions people ask is: “How much gravel do I need?” Ordering too little means delays, while ordering too much means wasted money. That’s where a gravel calculator comes in handy.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about estimating gravel, crushed stone, sand, and decorative rock for your project — and show you how to use our free Rock Calculator to get instant results.

Why Gravel Calculation Matters

Gravel and crushed stone are essential for:

• Driveways
• Walkways & pathways
• Garden beds & landscaping
• Drainage solutions
• Construction bases

But if you don’t calculate correctly, you risk:

• Overspending on materials you won’t use.
• Underestimating and running out mid-project.
• Uneven surfaces due to inconsistent depth.

Using a gravel calculator ensures you get just the right amount.

Gravel Coverage Basics

Before calculating, it’s important to know how gravel works in terms of coverage and depth.

• Driveways: 4–6 inches
• Walkways: 2–4 inches
• Landscaping beds: 2–3 inches

1 cubic yard of gravel covers:

• ~100 sq ft at 3 inches deep
• ~80 sq ft at 4 inches deep

1 ton of gravel ≈ 0.66 cubic yards (varies by type and size).

💡 Pro Tip: Always order 5–10% extra gravel to account for compaction, settling, and waste.

Manual Gravel Calculation Formula

If you like doing math, here’s the basic formula:

Volume (cubic feet) = Length × Width × Depth
Divide by 27 = cubic yards
Multiply by density (1.4–1.6 tons per cubic yard) = weight
      

Example:

Driveway size = 20 ft × 20 ft × 0.33 ft (4 inches)

• Volume = 132 cubic feet
• 132 ÷ 27 = 4.88 cubic yards
• 4.88 × 1.5 ≈ 7.3 tons

So you’d need about 7.5 tons for a 20×20 driveway.

Easier Method: Use Our Free Gravel Calculator

Instead of crunching numbers, just use our Rock Calculator:

1. Enter your project length, width, and depth.
2. Select material (gravel, sand, crushed stone, decorative rock).
3. Get results in cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons.
4. Enter price per ton/cubic yard to estimate cost.

👉 Try the Rock Calculator now and save time.

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Small Garden Bed

Area: 10 ft × 6 ft at 3 inches → ~0.56 cubic yards (~0.8 tons). Order: 1 ton of decorative rock.

Example 2: Driveway (2-car)

Area: 20 ft × 20 ft at 4 inches → ~7.3 tons. Order: 8 tons of crushed stone.

Example 3: Pathway

Area: 50 ft × 3 ft at 2 inches → ~0.93 cubic yards (~1.4 tons). Order: 1.5 tons of gravel.

Common Questions About Gravel Calculation

• How many tons per sq ft? At 3 inches deep → ~0.013 tons.
• How much for 100 sq ft? At 3 inches: ~1.2 tons. At 4 inches: ~1.6 tons.
• How much does a cubic yard weigh? 2,400–3,000 lbs (1.2–1.5 tons).
• 20×20 driveway? Roughly 7–8 tons at 4-inch depth.

Factors That Affect Gravel Quantity

• Gravel Size: Larger stones = more space, less coverage.
• Material Type: Crushed stone is denser than pea gravel.
• Project Depth: Deeper = more gravel.
• Compaction: Gravel settles after installation.

Bonus: Cost Estimation

Gravel prices vary:

• Standard gravel: $15–$30 per ton.
• Crushed stone: $25–$40 per ton.
• Decorative rock: $50–$120 per ton.

💡 Enter your supplier’s price into our Gravel Calculator to get instant cost estimates.

Conclusion

Whether you’re building a driveway, laying a garden path, or landscaping your yard, knowing how much gravel you need is essential. While you can calculate manually, the fastest and most accurate way is with our free Rock Calculator.

👉 Use the Rock Calculator now to estimate volume, weight, coverage, and cost in seconds.

Save money. Save time. Get it right the first time.