Gravel Calculator

Gravel quantity comes from two separate calculations. First the volume: Volume = Length × Width × Depth. Then the weight: Weight = Volume × Density. Volume is pure geometry and is the same for every material, while weight depends on what you are ordering — so this calculator always shows the density it used and lets you replace it with your supplier's figure.

Enter dimensions, an area you already know, or a volume you already know. The calculator returns square footage, cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters and liters, plus approximate weight in US short tons, metric tonnes, pounds and kilograms.

• Landscaping and decorative stone areas
• Garden paths and walkways
• Gravel patios and seating areas
• Drainage areas and French drains
• Gravel beds around planting and structures
• Shed and small building bases
• Parking areas and gravel driveways
• Road base and general aggregate coverage

1. 1Choose Length × Width, Multiple Areas, Known Area or Known Volume.
2. 2Enter your measurements and select the units you measured in.
3. 3Enter the gravel depth planned for your project.
4. 4Add more areas if your project has beds, paths or layers of different size or depth.
5. 5Select the gravel or aggregate type, or choose Custom Density.
6. 6Adjust the material density if your supplier states a different figure.
7. 7Choose an extra material allowance, and optionally a compaction adjustment, truck capacity or bag size.
8. 8Optionally enter your local price per ton, cubic yard, cubic meter or bag, then select Calculate.

Every measurement is normalized before multiplying, so feet, yards, inches, millimeters, centimeters and meters can be mixed freely. In Multiple Areas mode each area is calculated on its own and the volumes are added — dimensions are never averaged.

Known Area mode uses Volume = Area × Depth and produces the same physical result as the equivalent length and width. Known Volume mode skips geometry entirely and calculates weight, allowance, bags, loads and cost from the volume you enter.

Volume and weight are not the same thing. Cubic yards describe the space the gravel occupies; tons describe how heavy it is. Converting between them needs a density figure.

The results panel shows both directions at the density in use, because suppliers quote by weight in some regions and by volume in others.

Each material preset pre-populates a planning reference density that you can override. These are mid-range planning figures, not supplier data or universal facts.

Published references for general gravel commonly span a wide band — roughly 1.2 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on the stone, particle size, gradation and moisture. General Gravel therefore uses about 1.4 tons per cubic yard as a mid-point reference, not an exact value.

Density varies with stone type, particle size, gradation, void space between particles, moisture content and processing. Two loads of the same nominal volume can differ noticeably in weight. When your supplier states a density, enter it — it will always be closer than a general reference. Open graded drainage stone holds more void space than graded material with fines, which is why the presets differ.

Volume is directly proportional to depth: doubling the depth doubles both volume and weight for the same area. The depth comparison table shows this for your own measurements.

BuildCalcWorks does not recommend a gravel depth. Appropriate depth depends on the design, subgrade, drainage, traffic and local practice. Use the depth planned or specified for your project.

Aggregate is normally delivered loose and reduces in volume once spread and compacted. How much it reduces depends on the material, gradation, moisture and compaction method, so no automatic compaction factor is applied. If your supplier or specification gives a figure, enter it as the optional compaction adjustment in Advanced Options — it is shown separately from the extra material allowance.

Bagged gravel is convenient for small beds, paths and repairs; bulk material is usually more practical once quantities grow. Bag volume differs between products and retailers, so nothing is assumed: enter the volume printed on the bag and bags are calculated as recommended volume ÷ bag volume, always rounded up. Add a price per bag for an approximate bagged cost.

Gravel is sold by weight, by volume or by the bag depending on supplier and region, so you can price per ton, cubic yard, cubic meter or bag, and that price is applied to the recommended order quantity. There is no universal gravel price — enter a local quote. The result is a material estimate only and excludes delivery unless you enter it, along with spreading, grading, compaction, labor, excavation, geotextile and tax.

Truck capacity varies widely by vehicle, supplier and local weight limits, so no standard load size is assumed. Enter the capacity your supplier uses, in tons, cubic yards or cubic meters, and loads are calculated as recommended quantity ÷ capacity, rounded up.

Advanced Options includes the reverse calculation: enter the gravel you already have or have been quoted, in cubic yards, cubic meters, tons or tonnes, plus the depth you plan to spread it at. Coverage area = volume ÷ depth, and a weight entry is converted to volume using the density in use. Thicker layers cover less area.

• Measure each area separately rather than averaging one length and width across everything.
• Use the depth planned or specified for your project rather than a generic figure.
• Ask your supplier for the density of the exact material you are ordering.
• Confirm whether your supplier sells by weight or by volume before comparing prices.
• Check bag volume on the label — bag sizes differ between retailers.