QuantityBench Gravel Calculator
Enter the area and depth to estimate cubic yards and tons of gravel, crushed stone, sand, or topsoil — with a 10% waste allowance built in. Works in US or metric units.
Estimated materials
How this is calculated
This calculator converts a length, width, and depth into a volume, then converts that volume into weight using the density of your chosen material.
1. Area: length × width = area in square feet.
2. Volume: area × depth (converted to feet) = volume in cubic feet.
Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, since a cubic yard is 3×3×3 feet.
3. Weight: cubic yards × material density (tons per cubic yard) = total
weight in tons.
4. Waste allowance: the tool adds 10% on top to cover compaction, spillage,
and an uneven sub-grade — a standard allowance used by landscaping suppliers.
Assumptions
- Depth is uniform across the whole area — for a sloped or variable-depth area, split it into sections and add the results.
- Density values are typical references; ask your supplier for the exact density of the material you're ordering if precision matters for a large order.
- The 10% waste allowance is a general guideline, not a guarantee — irregular shapes or hand-spreading may need more.
Worked example
A 10 ft × 10 ft area at 3" deep, using standard gravel (1.4 tons per cubic yard):
| Area | 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Volume | 25 cu ft (0.926 cu yd) |
| Weight | 1.296 tons (2,593 lbs) |
| Recommended order (+10% waste) | 1.426 tons (1.019 cu yd) |
In metric, that's about 0.71 m³ and 1,176 kg before the waste allowance.
Gravel calculator for a driveway
Driveways need a deeper, more compacted base than a path or garden bed — typically 4 to 6 inches, since the gravel has to bear vehicle weight without rutting or shifting. For a 20 ft by 12 ft driveway at 5 inches deep with standard gravel, here's what that works out to:
| Area | 240 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Volume | 100 cu ft (3.7 cu yd) |
| Weight | 5.19 tons |
| Recommended order (+10% waste) | 5.7 tons (4.07 cu yd) |
Longer or wider driveways scale directly — use the calculator above with your own measurements. If your driveway has a crowned or sloped profile rather than a flat depth, measure the deepest point and the shallowest point separately, calculate each as its own area, and add the two results together for a more accurate total.
Gravel calculator for a fire pit or patio base
A paver patio or fire pit base is usually shallower than a driveway — around 4 inches — but benefits from crushed stone rather than standard gravel, since its angular edges lock together for better drainage and a more stable base underneath pavers. For an 8 ft by 8 ft patio base at 4 inches deep with crushed stone:
| Area | 64 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Volume | 21 cu ft (0.79 cu yd) |
| Weight | 1.19 tons |
| Recommended order (+10% waste) | 1.3 tons (0.87 cu yd) |
For a round fire pit area, the calculator above only takes a rectangular length and width, but you can still use it: calculate the circle's area by hand first (π × radius², so a 4 ft radius fire pit ring is about 3.14 × 4² = 50 sq ft), then enter that number as the Length above with a Width of 1 — since length × width = area, this gets you the correct volume and weight for a non-rectangular space.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 area?
For a 10 ft by 10 ft area at a 3-inch depth using standard gravel (1.4 tons per cubic yard), you need about 25 cubic feet, or roughly 0.93 cubic yards, which weighs about 1.3 tons. Add the usual 10% waste allowance and plan to order about 1.43 tons.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Standard gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Crushed stone runs closer to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, sand about 1.35, and topsoil about 1.0 — the exact figure depends on moisture content and how compacted the material is.
What depth of gravel should I use for a driveway vs. a path?
A gravel driveway base is typically 4 to 6 inches deep to support vehicle weight. A walkway or garden path only needs 2 to 3 inches, since it just needs to stay put underfoot.
Should I order extra gravel?
Yes. This calculator adds a 10% waste allowance on top of the raw volume to cover compaction, spillage, and an uneven sub-grade. Ordering exactly the calculated amount often leaves you short.
Does gravel weight vary by material type?
Yes. Crushed stone is denser than standard gravel, and sand and topsoil are lighter per cubic yard. Pick the closest material in the calculator so the weight estimate matches what your supplier will actually deliver.
Does this calculator work in metric units?
Yes. Switch the "Units" toggle above the form to Metric to enter length and width in meters and depth in centimeters, and to see results in cubic meters and kilograms.