Gravel Calculator

How the Estimate Is Calculated

This calculator uses the standard aggregate-estimating method contractors and landscapers rely on: volume equals area times depth. Length and width are multiplied to get the surface area, that area is multiplied by the depth (converted from inches to feet) to get cubic feet, and cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards — the unit gravel and other bulk aggregates are typically sold in. A waste/compaction allowance is added on top since spreading and compacting gravel over an uneven sub-base almost always uses a bit more material than the raw geometric volume suggests.

Why Density Varies by Material

Weight is estimated by multiplying volume by a density figure, and that figure genuinely depends on what you're buying — this calculator defaults to 100 lb per cubic foot (roughly 2,700 lb per cubic yard), a commonly cited average for crushed stone and gravel mixes, but real-world density ranges from about 95 to 110 lb per cubic foot depending on stone type, particle size, and moisture content. If your supplier lists a specific density or weight-per-yard for their product, swap it into the density field for a more accurate result — it matters more than any other input for the weight and cost figures.

Ordering and Cost Tips

Gravel is almost always sold by the ton or by the cubic yard rather than by exact volume, so suppliers round up to the nearest half or full ton — budget for that when comparing the estimated cost here to a quote. For a poured or paved surface instead of loose aggregate, try the concrete calculator, and for laying out the footprint of a patio, walkway, or driveway before ordering material, the square footage calculator can help nail down the area first.