Gravel Calculator
The Gravel Calculator estimates the volume and weight of gravel needed for garden paths, drainage beds, and other landscaping projects based on your area and desired depth — in U.S. or metric units. The weight figure comes entirely from a fixed density assumption (1.4 tons per cubic yard, or 1.68 tonnes per cubic meter) applied to the calculated volume — it isn't derived from anything you enter about the gravel itself, so it's only as accurate as that assumption is for your material. Because volume and weight scale together, doubling your depth doubles both the cubic yardage and the tonnage estimate proportionally. The math also assumes gravel poured loose at full depth; material compacts roughly 10–20% once driven or walked on, so professionals ordering for load-bearing paths or driveways often add a margin on top of this figure.
Switch between U.S. Customary and Metric units.
How This Tool Works
Pick your units, then enter the length, width, and desired depth of your gravel area to get both a volume and an estimated weight in tons or tonnes.
Formula & Method
Volume = area × depth. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Weight in tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4 (standard crushed gravel); in metric that is roughly 1.68 tonnes per cubic meter.
Example Calculation
A 12×5 ft garden path (60 sq ft) at 3 inches deep: volume = 60 × (3 ÷ 12) = 60 × 0.25 = 15 cubic feet. Cubic yards = 15 ÷ 27 = 0.56 cu yd. Weight = 0.56 × 1.4 ≈ 0.78 tons. In metric, a 3×1 m path (3 m²) at 5 cm deep: volume = 3 × 0.05 = 0.15 m³. Weight = 0.15 × 1.68 ≈ 0.25 tonnes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should a gravel path be?+
Most decorative gravel paths use 2 inches (about 5 cm) of depth over a compacted base, while driveways typically need 4 inches (10 cm) or more.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?+
A ton of gravel typically covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep (a tonne covers roughly 10 m² at 5 cm), though this varies by gravel type and size.
Can I calculate gravel in cubic meters and tonnes?+
Yes — switch the unit toggle to Metric and enter your area in meters with the depth in centimeters. Volume is returned in cubic meters and weight in tonnes.
Is this estimate accurate for all gravel types?+
The weight estimate assumes standard crushed gravel (~1.4 tons per cubic yard / ~1.68 tonnes per cubic meter). Pea gravel, river rock, and lava rock have different densities.
Why do the tons and tonnes figures represent the same amount of gravel?+
They're the same physical quantity expressed in two unit systems — 1.4 tons per cubic yard and 1.68 tonnes per cubic meter both describe standard crushed gravel density (1 U.S. ton ≈ 0.907 tonnes), so switching the toggle only changes units, not the material amount.
What if my gravel is heavier or lighter than standard crushed gravel?+
Multiply the calculator's tons/tonnes result by your material's actual density ratio — dense trap rock or granite can run closer to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, while lightweight lava rock may be well under 1 ton per cubic yard. Check your supplier's spec sheet for the exact figure before ordering.
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<a href="https://everyfix.net/tools/gravel-calculator/">Gravel Calculator</a> by <a href="https://everyfix.net">EveryFix</a>Related Tools
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