Gravel Calculator

How much gravel do I need?

Enter the measured length and width or an independently measured area, then the loose layer depth. The calculator returns cubic feet, cubic yards and cubic meters. Use the square footage calculator for measured sections or the area calculator for non-overlapping shapes, then enter their sum in Measured area mode. Dimension units can switch between feet/inches and meters/centimeters; this converts the values, not just their labels.

cubic feet = area in ft² x depth in inches / 12; cubic yards = cubic feet / 27; pounds = loose cubic feet x bulk density in lb/ft³

Gravel volume example

A 20 ft by 10 ft measured area with a 3 in loose layer contains 20 x 10 x (3/12) = 50 ft³, or 50/27 = about 1.852 yd³. A user-selected 10% volume allowance adds 5 ft³, making 55 ft³ or about 2.037 yd³. This allowance is an assumption for the estimate, not a recommended compaction rate.

Cubic yards versus tons

A cubic yard measures volume; a ton measures mass. Enter the supplier's loose bulk density to calculate weight. For an illustration only, 55 ft³ at an entered 100 lb/ft³ weighs 5,500 lb, or 2.75 US short tons. This density is not a specification for pea gravel, crushed stone or any other product. Moisture, grading and how material is handled affect bulk density.

One US short ton is 2,000 lb. One metric tonne is 1,000 kg, so these are different units. The calculator labels them separately and uses 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. NIST's conversion factors document these unit relationships. Blank density leaves weight unknown; entering zero or a negative density is an error rather than a zero-weight answer.

Loose volume and compacted depth

This tool estimates the loose volume represented by the dimensions you enter. It does not convert a finished compacted layer to a delivery quantity automatically. Ask the supplier or project designer for a conversion appropriate to the specified material and site. A simple added allowance and a percentage loss of loose volume are different calculations: adding 25% gives 1.25 times the base, whereas replacing a 25% volume reduction would require dividing by 0.75.

Penn State's materials calculator guidance distinguishes loose and compacted inputs and explains why conversion factors vary by region and supplier. Its regional material factors are not universal nationwide density presets.

Gravel cost estimate

Choose the supplier's price basis: cubic yard, cubic meter, US short ton or metric tonne. With the 55 ft³ example and an entered $50/yd³, material cost is about $101.85. At the illustrative density above and $40 per US short ton, it is $110. These are separate quote scenarios, not current market prices. Blank price means unknown; an explicit $0 is a zero-price scenario. A weight-based price also needs density. Delivery, tax, installation, minimum orders, supplier rounding, truck capacity and return terms are excluded.

Buying mulch by volume? The mulch calculator estimates bulk yards and whole bags from entered area, added depth and the bag label, with separate material-price scenarios.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this for pea gravel or a driveway?

Yes, for measured-volume arithmetic using the product information you supply. It does not choose a gravel grade, required layer depth, compaction method or structural design. Vulcan's quantity-estimation guidance also recommends reviewing project conditions and estimates with a local supplier. No supplier affiliation is claimed.

Why is weight or cost not calculated?

Weight needs a positive density. Cost needs a price; prices per ton or tonne also need density. Missing information is kept unknown rather than treated as free or weightless.

Does this include bags or truckloads?

No. It reports unrounded bulk volume and, when density is supplied, mass. Bag coverage, delivery increments and legal vehicle loads require additional product and supplier information.