Gravel Calculator
Estimate crushed stone and gravel for paths, driveways, and base courses. See cubic yards, tons, bags, and a supplier-friendly half-yard step.
Formula example
A 20 ft by 10 ft area at 4 in deep, with 5% waste and dry crushed stone at 105 lb/ft³, needs 2.59 yd³ to buy (70.00 ft³). That is about 3.68 US tons and 140 bags at 0.5 ft³ each. Many suppliers round bulk orders to the next 0.5 yd³, which would be 3.00 yd³ on this job.
Material densities
Default dry densities come from published soil and aggregate references. You can override density in the calculator when your supplier quotes a different number.
| Material | lb/ft³ | ton/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone / gravel (dry) | 105 | 1.42 |
| Gravel (wet) | 125 | 1.69 |
| Pea gravel | 105 | 1.42 |
| River rock | 105 | 1.42 |
| Sand (dry) | 97 | 1.31 |
| Sand (wet) | 119 | 1.61 |
How to measure gravel area
Measure the outside edges of the path, pad, or driveway in feet. If the site is not a simple rectangle, use the Area (ft²) shape and enter the square footage from a plat or site sketch. Subtract voids such as existing slabs or garden beds using the deduct field so you do not over-order stone.
For a circular pad, measure diameter across the widest points. For a triangular section, use the base and the vertical height perpendicular to that base—not the long slope along the edge.
Material notes
Dry crushed stone near 105 lb/ft³ is the default for structural base estimates. Pea gravel and river rock use the same density in the calculator but settle differently; confirm coverage with your supplier. Sand options are listed for bedding layers linked from the paver calculator.
FAQ
How do you convert area and depth to cubic yards?
The calculator multiplies net square feet by depth in feet to get cubic feet, adds your waste percentage, then divides by 27 to show purchase cubic yards. The default 20×10 ft area at 4 in with 5% waste is 2.59 yd³ to buy.
Why show a 0.5 yd³ supplier step?
Many bulk suppliers deliver in half-yard increments. The calculator keeps the true purchase volume (for example 2.59 yd³) and also shows the next half yard you may need to order (3.0 yd³ on the default example).
How much heavier is wet gravel?
Wet gravel is denser than dry. The material list includes both; wet stone near 125 lb/ft³ can add roughly a ton per yard compared with dry stone at 105 lb/ft³ on the same volume.
What does a 0.5 ft³ bag mean?
Bag count assumes each bag holds the cubic feet you enter (0.5 ft³ is a common small bag). The tool rounds up to whole bags after waste is included.
Why add about 20% waste for a compacted base?
Compaction shrinks loose stone. A 20% waste setting matches many base-course jobs; the paver base-course link uses that allowance so you do not under-order.
Does this pick pavement thickness for me?
No. Depth hints are rules of thumb only. A structural base design, geotechnical report, or local code official still decides what your project needs.
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By Home Yard Calc Editorial Team · Sources listed on the methodology page · Last updated October 26, 2026
Estimates only. Densities, coverage and salt targets vary by product, moisture and manufacturer. Confirm with your supplier or equipment manual. Not a substitute for professional design, soil engineering or pool service.