How much gravel do I need?
Working out how much gravel to buy comes down to one thing: the volume of the space you're filling. Measure the area, choose a depth, multiply them together, then convert that volume into the unit your supplier sells by — cubic yards, tons, or bags.
To get the weight in tons, multiply the cubic yards by the gravel's density — most gravel is about 1.4–1.6 tons per cubic yard. The calculator above does all of this the instant you type, in whichever units and shape you pick.
Rectangle or circle
For a rectangular area — a driveway, patio, or path — the area is simply length × width. For a round area like a fire-pit border or circular bed, it's π × radius². Pick the shape at the top of the calculator and the right measurement boxes appear.
Worked example
A rectangular path 20 ft long and 3 ft wide, filled 3 inches deep with gravel:
20 × 3 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 0.56 cubic yards, or about 0.8 tons. Add ~10% for settling and you'd order a bit under a ton.
How deep should gravel be?
- 2–3 inches — paths and decorative ground cover
- 4 inches — garden beds and general coverage
- 4–6 inches — driveways, usually over a compacted base
Tap a depth chip in the calculator to drop in one of these common depths without typing.
Typical gravel densities
Weight depends on the material. These are the typical figures the calculator uses; your supplier's number may differ with moisture and stone type — pick Custom density to enter your own.
| Material | Tons / yd³ |
|---|---|
| Gravel (¾″) | 1.5 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 |
| Crushed stone | 1.6 |
| River rock | 1.4 |
| Sand | 1.4 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 |
Buying bagged gravel instead? Switch Sold by to Bag and set your bag size — the calculator rounds up to whole bags.
Common questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply your area by the depth to get a volume, then convert to cubic yards or tons. For a rectangle, area is length × width; for a circle it's π × radius². Multiply by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material density for tons. The calculator above does all of this instantly as you type.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most gravel weighs about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock sit near the lighter end, crushed stone toward the heavier end. Density varies with moisture and stone type, so use your supplier's figure when they give one — or pick a material above and the calculator applies a typical density automatically.
How deep should the gravel be?
For paths and decorative ground cover, 2–3 inches is typical. For garden beds and general coverage, aim for about 4 inches. For a driveway, 4–6 inches is common, often over a compacted base. Tap a depth chip in the calculator to use one of these.
Should I order extra gravel for waste?
Yes. Gravel settles and compacts, and some is lost to uneven ground and spillage, so ordering about 10% extra is a good rule of thumb. Tap “+ Add waste calc” in the project total to add a percentage buffer to your order.
Does this gravel calculator work in metric?
Yes. Switch to "Metric" to enter your area in metres and depth in centimetres. The result is shown in cubic metres and tonnes, or bags, so you can order in whichever unit your supplier uses.