Gravel Calculator

How much gravel do I need? Cubic feet = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12); cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; approximate tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (a typical crushed-stone density that varies by material and moisture). A 20×10 ft area at 2 inches is about 1.23 cubic yards — roughly 1.7 tons.

Reviewed / updated August 2026

Full walkthrough: How to Estimate Materials for Any Home Project

Your inputs

ft
ft
in

Walkways often use ~2″; drive bases may need more compacted depth

Result

Gravel volume

1.23 cu yd

≈ 1.7 tons (typical density)

Cubic yards
1.23 cu yd
Cubic feet
33.3 cu ft
Approx. tons
~1.7 tons
Density used
1.4 tons/cu yd

Order about 1.23 cubic yards of gravel (~1.7 tons at 1.4 tons/yd — density varies by rock type and moisture).

Suggested next steps

  • Confirm tons with your supplier — pea gravel, crushed limestone, and wet loads can weigh differently than 1.4 tons/yd.
  • Compact in lifts if the layer is thick, and edge the bed so gravel stays in place.
  • Bulk delivery usually beats bagged stone for a cubic yard or more — compare yard quotes.

How the gravel calculation works

  1. Cubic feet = length × width × (depth inches ÷ 12)
  2. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
  3. Approx. tons = cubic yards × 1.4

The 1.4 tons per cubic yard factor is a typical crushed-stone planning density. It is not universal — rock type, angularity, and moisture change the weight. Use cubic yards for volume orders; treat tons as an approximate delivery weight. Many walkways use about 2 inches of decorative gravel over a compacted base; structural drive bases need deeper engineered layers this tool does not design for you.

Source note: Geometry is exact for a rectangular prism; the tonnage factor is an industry rule of thumb used for DIY planning, not a lab density. Updated August 2026.

Worked example

Area 20 × 10 ft, depth 2 inches:

  1. Cubic feet = 20 × 10 × (2 ÷ 12) ≈ 33.3 cu ft
  2. Cubic yards ≈ 1.23 cu yd
  3. Tons ≈ 1.23 × 1.4 ≈ 1.7 tons

Match these defaults on the calculator, then adjust depth for your base or top course. Call your supplier with both yards and tons so the quote matches how they sell. Wet loads and rounded pea gravel can weigh differently than angular crushed stone at the same volume—when the delivery ticket is in tons, trust the yard’s density for that product. Pair with the Mulch Calculator for planting beds beside the path and the Grass Seed Calculator for lawn edges.

Tips and related tools

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel for a 20×10 path at 2 inches?

Cubic feet = 20 × 10 × (2 ÷ 12) ≈ 33.3 cu ft. Cubic yards ≈ 33.3 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.23 cu yd. Approximate tons ≈ 1.23 × 1.4 ≈ 1.7 tons. Confirm weight with your supplier for the exact rock type.

Why 1.4 tons per cubic yard?

About 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a common planning figure for many crushed stone products. Pea gravel, limestone, granite, and wet loads can weigh more or less. Always verify with the quarry or landscape yard before ordering by the ton.

How deep should gravel be for a walkway?

Many DIY walkways use about 2 inches of decorative gravel over a compacted base. Driveways and structural bases need deeper, engineered layers — this tool estimates volume for the layer dimensions you enter, not a full pavement design.

Should I order by the yard or by the ton?

Yards measure volume; tons measure weight. Suppliers may quote either. This calculator shows both so you can compare quotes. Prefer the unit your yard uses, and ask them to convert using their product’s density.

Do I need a weed barrier under gravel?

Landscape fabric under gravel can slow weeds and mixing with soil, especially on paths. Edge the bed so stone stays in place, and compact thicker bases in lifts.

Related tools

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