Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel volume, weight in tons and cost for driveways and paths.
Inputs
Typical driveway: 4 in base + 2 in finish coat. Paths: 3–4 in.
Enter to estimate material cost.
Add 10% to account for settling and uneven sub-grade.
Cubic Yards (with overage)
2.716
Weight (US tons)
4.03
Weight (lbs)
8,067
Cubic Yards (net)
2.469
Area
200.0sq ft
Material Density
2,970lb/yd³
Step by step
Area
20 ft × 10 ft
= 200 sq ft
Volume (net)
200 × 4 ÷ 324
= 2.469 yd³
Add 10% overage
= 2.716 yd³
Weight
2.716 yd³ × 2970 lb/yd³ ÷ 2000
= 4.03 US tons
How it works
Volume is calculated the same way as mulch: (area sq ft × depth in) ÷ 324. Weight is then calculated by multiplying cubic yards by the material's bulk density in lb/yd³, then dividing by 2000 to get US short tons. Gravel deliveries are typically priced per ton, so weight matters as much as volume. A 10% overage is standard practice because minor settling and uneven base always consume a little extra.
Formulas
Volume
Cubic yards = (area sq ft × depth in) ÷ 324
Weight
Tons = cubic yards × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2000
- \rho
- Bulk density of the material in lb/yd³
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A typical residential driveway uses 4 inches of compacted base course (crushed stone) plus a 2-inch finish layer of pea gravel or decorative aggregate — 6 inches total. For heavy vehicles, increase the base to 6 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
It varies by material: crushed stone ≈ 1.35 tons/yd³, pea gravel ≈ 1.4 tons/yd³, lava rock ≈ 0.8 tons/yd³. The calculator uses the material-specific density from its built-in table.
Should I order in tons or cubic yards?
Suppliers typically sell bulk aggregate by the ton. The calculator shows both so you can use whichever the supplier quotes.
What is the overage factor for?
10% overage accounts for the material that settles into depressions, the slight over-application during spreading, and the material wasted on sloped edges. It prevents a second delivery run.