Gravel Calculator
Estimate the amount of gravel, crushed rock, sand, or fill dirt needed by volume and weight. Enter area dimensions and depth to get cubic yards and tons.
Bulk landscape and construction materials — gravel, crushed stone, sand, topsoil, fill dirt — are sold by the ton or cubic yard from quarries and landscape supply yards. Getting the right amount means measuring the area, multiplying by depth, converting units, and accounting for the specific material's density. A cubic yard of sand weighs ~2700 lbs (1.35 tons); a cubic yard of crushed limestone weighs ~2700 lbs; topsoil is lighter at ~2000 lbs (1 ton); and the conversion between volume and weight depends on the material density.
This calculator handles the math: enter length, width, depth (in inches), and material density, and it returns cubic yards needed and tons (weight). The material density default of 100 lbs/cu ft is typical for gravel and sand; lighter materials (topsoil 75 lbs) or heavier (concrete fill 150 lbs) need different inputs.
The biggest practical considerations for bulk material orders: get a delivery truck (saving multiple pickup trips), order 5-10% extra for compaction loss and uneven distribution, and plan a place to dump it that's near where you'll spread it. A 5-cubic-yard delivery is the most common size — anything less may incur a minimum delivery charge, anything more usually needs a tandem-axle truck (more cost).
Inputs
Gravel ~100, Sand ~100, Crushed stone ~100, Topsoil ~75
Results
Tons Needed
3.33
Cubic Yards
2.47
Estimated Cost
$166.67
Material Breakdown
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 200 sq ft |
| Depth | 4 inches (0.33 ft) |
| Volume | 66.7 cubic feet |
| Cubic Yards | 2.47 |
| Weight | 6,667 lbs |
| Tons | 3.33 |
| Estimated Cost | $166.67 |
Formula
How to use this calculator
- Measure length and width of the area in feet.
- Enter depth in inches (most projects: 2-6 inches).
- Enter material density. Default 100 lbs/cu ft works for most gravels and sands. Use 75 for topsoil, 150 for concrete fill, etc.
- Enter price per ton (or per yard) for cost estimate.
- The calculator returns volume in cubic yards and weight in tons.
- Add 5-10% extra for compaction loss and spillage.
Worked examples
Gravel driveway upgrade
**Scenario:** Convert a dirt driveway to gravel: 60 × 12 ft, 4 inch deep of ¾" crushed limestone. **Calculation:** Volume: 60 × 12 × 4/12 / 27 = 8.9 cubic yards. Weight: 60 × 12 × 4/12 × 100 / 2000 = 12 tons. At $35/ton: $420 material. Plus delivery $100. Total $520. **Result:** 12 tons of crushed limestone delivered, $520 total. The 4" depth provides a stable, drainable surface. Spread evenly with a rake; compact with a plate compactor (rent $50/day) or simply drive over it several times. The dust binder in limestone helps it lock in place.
Patio paver base preparation
**Scenario:** Build a 12×14 ft patio. Standard paver base: 4" of crushed stone, compacted, then 1" of polymeric sand. **Calculation:** Crushed stone base: 12 × 14 × 4/12 / 27 = 2.07 cu yd = ~2.8 tons. At $40/ton: $112. Polymeric sand: 12 × 14 × 1/12 / 27 = 0.52 cu yd = ~0.7 ton. At $50/ton: $35. Plus pavers themselves: $300-800. Plus edge restraint: $40. **Result:** Base materials: ~$150. Total patio project: $500-1100 in materials. The crushed stone base is critical for drainage and frost protection — never skip it under pavers. Compact with a plate compactor for level, stable foundation.
Topsoil for a lawn
**Scenario:** Add 3 inches of new topsoil to a 30 × 40 ft lawn area before seeding. **Calculation:** Volume: 30 × 40 × 3/12 / 27 = 11.1 cubic yards. Weight at 75 lbs/cu ft (topsoil): 30 × 40 × 3/12 × 75 / 2000 = 11.25 tons. At $30/ton: $338. Plus delivery $100. Total $438. **Result:** 11 cubic yards of topsoil for $438 delivered. Spreading is labor-intensive but achievable in a weekend. After spreading, rake smooth, add fertilizer/lime per soil test, then seed. Better topsoil = better grass growth. Cheap fill dirt should not be confused with topsoil — fill dirt has no nutrients and may contain clay.
When to use this calculator
**Use gravel/bulk material calculations for:**
- **Driveway installation or refresh**: gravel surfaces. - **Patio and walkway base**: crushed stone foundation under pavers or stone. - **French drains and landscape drainage**: drainage gravel around pipes. - **Landscape mulching**: decorative rock or wood mulch. - **Topsoil for lawn or garden**: building up beds, lawn establishment. - **Foundation footings**: structural fill under footings. - **Septic system installation**: gravel layers in leach fields. - **Backyard playground**: pea gravel as impact-absorbing surface.
**Choosing the right material:**
- **¾" minus crushed stone**: best for driveways, compaction. Locks together well. - **Pea gravel (3/8")**: walkways, playgrounds, decorative. Does not compact well — stays loose. - **Crusher run / road base**: large to small stones mix, compacts hardest. Driveway and road base. - **Sand (concrete sand)**: leveling layer under pavers, mortar mix. - **Sand (mason sand)**: finer; mortar, sandboxes. - **Topsoil**: lawn establishment, garden beds. - **Fill dirt**: leveling low spots, not for planting (no nutrients). - **Decorative rock (river rock, lava rock)**: landscape design, mulch alternative.
**Coverage rule of thumb:**
1 ton of gravel covers ~110 sq ft at 2" depth. Scale linearly with depth: 4" deep = 55 sq ft per ton.
**Buying tips:**
- **Bulk vs bagged**: bulk is 50-70% cheaper than bagged from home centers. Always go bulk for >1 ton. - **Delivery worth it**: hauling gravel in personal vehicle damages suspension and isn't cost-effective. - **Yard pickup OK for small jobs**: rent a trailer ($25/day) for 1-2 ton pickups. - **Quarries vs landscape supply**: quarries often cheaper but may have minimum quantities; landscape yards have more material variety. - **Get multiple quotes**: gravel prices vary 30-50% between suppliers.
**Driveway design tips:**
- **Pitch the surface 1-2% away from house** for drainage. - **Crown the middle** of the driveway for water runoff. - **Edge with timber, stone, or polymer edging** to prevent gravel migration. - **Base layer + surface layer**: 4" base of road base + 2" of decorative gravel = stable, attractive surface. - **Geotextile fabric below gravel**: prevents weed growth and material mixing with soil below. $0.30-0.80/sq ft.
**Bulk delivery practicalities:**
- Plan a level dump location near the work area. - Driveway approach must support truck weight (15-25 tons for a tandem axle). - Decide where the truck dumps — strategic placement saves wheelbarrow trips. - Order delivery for dry weather; wet gravel weighs more and is heavier to move. - Tip the driver $20-40 for professional delivery.
**Compaction considerations:**
- Loose gravel compacts 5-10% under traffic. - Use a plate compactor for level surfaces (driveways, patios). - Driveways "settle" over the first few months; add more gravel after settling.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing yards and tons. They're different units; densities vary by material.
- Forgetting compaction loss. Order 5-10% extra; final compacted volume will be less.
- Using fill dirt instead of topsoil for planting. Fill dirt has no nutrients and may contain clay.
- Skipping geotextile fabric under gravel paths. Weeds grow up through gravel; fabric prevents this.
- Not crowning a driveway. Flat or pitched-wrong driveways pool water and erode.
- Buying pea gravel for a driveway. It doesn't compact; stays loose and squishy underfoot.
- Hauling gravel in a personal vehicle. Damages suspension; few trips don't add up to a delivery cost.