FREE ONLINE TOOL • UPDATED FOR 2026
A free gravel calculator app for pea gravel, French drains, paver bases, driveways, paths, and landscaping projects.
PLAN YOUR PROJECT
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Use a project-specific calculator when pipe displacement, rounded pea gravel, or multiple paver layers affect the material estimate.
In-depth guides to help you plan every part of your gravel project.
Approximate short tons of crushed stone, including 10% waste at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
For a 20 × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep, the base volume is 50 cubic feet or 1.85 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard and 10% waste, the estimated order is approximately 2.85 short tons.
Methodology maintained by GravelCalc. Last reviewed July 29, 2026. Density values are planning assumptions; use a supplier-provided loose bulk density for large orders.
GRAVEL CALCULATOR GUIDE
Use this guide to understand what the estimate means, what to measure, and when to confirm the result with a local supplier.
Gravel is usually sold by weight or volume, while project spaces are measured by length, width, and depth. This calculator connects those measurements so you can estimate how many tons or cubic yards to order for a driveway, path, patio, French drain, paver base, or landscape area. It also helps reduce expensive over-ordering, shortages, and extra delivery trips.
Use the rounded weight to request supplier quotes, compare bagged material with bulk delivery, plan hauling capacity, set a project budget, or create a shopping list. The cubic-yard result is useful when a supplier sells by volume. For pea gravel, French drain, or paver projects, share both the selected material and depth with your supplier.
Results may vary on steep slopes, highly uneven ground, irregular areas, loose or wet material, or projects that require heavy compaction. Stone density also changes by quarry and moisture level. For structural driveways, drainage systems, retaining walls, or very large orders, confirm the specification with a contractor or supplier.
A general volume calculator only returns cubic feet or cubic meters. A concrete calculator uses a different material density and order logic. A coverage chart gives only a rough lookup. This gravel calculator combines area, depth, stone-specific bulk density, waste, weight, volume, and cost in one estimate.
The calculator first finds volume from area and depth, then multiplies that volume by the selected loose bulk density. Choose Custom material density when your supplier provides a product-specific figure. In US units enter short tons per cubic yard; in metric units enter kilograms per cubic meter.
Yes. Choose “Pea gravel” from the gravel type menu, then enter the project area and finished depth. The calculator applies a typical pea gravel bulk density.
Enter the trench length and width as a rectangle, then use the stone-filled depth after allowing for the pipe. For critical drainage work, confirm the void allowance and stone specification with your installer.
Measure the full paver area and enter the compacted base depth. Select dense grade or crushed stone, and allow extra material because the base is normally compacted in layers.
Split it into simple rectangles or circles, calculate each section separately, record the results, and add the volumes together before ordering.
Use 2 inches for light paths, around 3 inches for general landscaping, and 4–6 inches for driveways. Confirm structural projects with a professional.
Use the volume result shown beside the weight estimate. Ask whether the supplier rounds up to half-yard or full-yard quantities.
Ask which bulk density, compaction factor, and minimum order they use. Local material moisture and stone size can change the final weight.
A gravel estimate begins with volume. The calculator multiplies the surface area by the selected finished depth, then converts that volume into cubic yards or cubic meters. Weight is calculated by applying a typical bulk density for the selected aggregate. Because crushed stone, pea gravel, river rock, dense grade, and stone dust do not weigh the same per cubic yard, choosing the closest material matters. The waste percentage is applied after the base quantity so the order can absorb minor measurement errors, uneven excavation, settlement, compaction, and material lost during delivery or spreading. The result is still an estimate rather than a supplier guarantee, but it creates a consistent starting point for quotes and project planning.
Measure the actual area that will receive gravel rather than the visible outline alone. For a rectangle, record the longest length and the average width. For a circular fire-pit area or round garden feature, measure the full diameter through the center. Irregular projects are usually easier to handle by dividing them into smaller rectangles and circles, calculating each part, and adding the areas together. Measure depth at several points when the ground is uneven. The number entered should represent the finished gravel layer, not the total excavation depth when fabric, soil removal, sand, or a separate compacted base sits beneath the decorative surface.
Material choice depends on drainage, appearance, traffic, and stability. Angular crushed stone locks together and is commonly used for bases and driveways. Rounded pea gravel feels smoother underfoot but moves more easily, so it benefits from strong edging. Dense grade contains smaller particles that compact into a firm layer, while river rock is often chosen for decorative drainage features. Depth also changes by purpose. A light landscape cover may be relatively shallow, while a driveway base may require several compacted lifts. The calculator can estimate any depth, but it cannot determine the correct structural specification for local soil, frost conditions, vehicle loads, or drainage requirements.
Suppliers may quote gravel by the ton, tonne, cubic yard, or cubic meter. Share both the weight and volume results, along with the material name and required delivery location. Ask the supplier which density they use, whether moisture changes the delivered weight, and whether orders are rounded to minimum quantities. Also confirm truck access, delivery charges, and where the load can safely be placed. For bagged gravel, convert the result to total weight and divide by the weight per bag, then round up to a whole bag. Before ordering a large quantity, recheck every measurement and confirm that the selected waste allowance is appropriate for the site.