Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel you need for your driveway, pathway, or landscaping project. Get results in cubic yards and tons.
How to Calculate Gravel
- Measure the area in feet (length × width). For irregular shapes, break into rectangles and add them up.
- Choose the depth: 4-6 inches for driveways, 2-3 inches for walkways, 1-2 inches for decorative beds.
- Calculate cubic yards: Length × Width × Depth (in inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards.
- Convert to tons: Cubic yards × density factor (typically 1.4 for crushed stone).
- Add 10% extra for compaction and waste.
Gravel Depth Recommendations
- Driveways: 4-6 inches (base layer of larger stone + top layer of finer gravel)
- Walking paths: 2-3 inches
- Decorative beds: 1-2 inches
- French drain: 8-12 inches depth in the trench
Which Gravel Type Fits Your Project?
Not every gravel product behaves the same once it is on the ground. Rounded gravel looks softer and drains well, while angular stone locks together better for load-bearing surfaces. If you are deciding between surface appearance, drainage, and compaction, use the material choice before you place the order, not after the first delivery shows up.
- Crushed stone: best for driveways, base layers, parking areas, and anywhere you need compaction and stability.
- Pea gravel: best for decorative beds, play areas, patios, and paths where comfort underfoot matters more than compaction.
- River rock: best for drainage swales, edging, and decorative landscaping where larger rounded stone is part of the look.
- Decomposed granite: best for compacted garden paths and natural-looking surfaces in dry climates.
Before You Order Gravel
A quick pre-order check helps avoid the most common DIY mistakes. Confirm whether your supplier sells by the ton or by the cubic yard, whether delivery is included, and whether the quoted depth is before or after compaction. For driveways and structural bases, verify that you are getting angular aggregate instead of smooth decorative rock. For planting areas and drainage zones, check whether landscape fabric, edging, or a base layer is part of the installation plan so your quantity estimate matches the real build.
Project Planning Notes
If you are still deciding which material to buy, compare the tradeoffs before you calculate your final quantity:
- Gravel vs Pea Gravel vs Crushed Stone – compare drainage, comfort, compaction, and common use cases.
- Crushed Stone Calculator – estimate base stone for driveways, pads, and compacted surfaces.
- Pea Gravel Calculator – estimate rounded decorative gravel for beds, patios, and walkways.