Estimate gravel volume, weight and cost for driveways and paths.
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.
Volume
Cubic yards = (area sq ft × depth in) ÷ 324
Weight
Tons = cubic yards × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2000
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.
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.
Suppliers typically sell bulk aggregate by the ton. The calculator shows both so you can use whichever the supplier quotes.
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.