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Gravel Calculator

Calculate gravel for driveways, paths, drainage, and base layers using area, depth, compaction allowance, bulk density, material price, and delivery costs.

22-calculator project library Reviewed 2026-07-25Calculations run privately in your browser

Enter project details

Example values are prefilled
Coverage area
ft
ft
in
%
Material and delivery
tons/cu yd

Ask the supplier for the specific product.

$
$
tons
$
Location and tax assumptions

The location factor adjusts labor only. Replace all default prices with actual local quotes before purchasing.

A coarse planning adjustment—not a ZIP-code quote.

%

Enter the tax rate that applies to taxable materials.

All default prices are editable examples. Cost scenarios vary the entered plan; they do not represent bids or guarantees.

How to use this gravel calculator

Estimate gravel cubic yards, tons, truck loads, delivery, spreading labor, and project cost.

Formula

Cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Adjust for compaction/waste, then multiply by tons per cubic yard.

Worked example

Example: A 50 × 10 ft area at 4 in deep is about 6.17 cu yd before allowance. At 1.4 tons per cu yd and 12% extra, order about 9.7 tons.

Accuracy and limitations

Density varies significantly by stone type, moisture, and gradation. Supplier-provided tons-per-yard data should replace the default.

Frequently asked questions

Should depth be compacted or loose?

Enter the desired compacted depth and include a compaction allowance so the delivered loose material is sufficient.

How many truck loads will I need?

The calculator divides required tons by the entered truck capacity and rounds up.

Does geotextile fabric reduce gravel?

Fabric can improve separation and stability, but it usually does not replace the designed aggregate depth.

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