How to use
- Choose US units or metric, then pick a rectangle or a circle.
- Enter the length and width (or the diameter) and the depth you want. Depth is in inches, or centimeters in metric.
- Pick the type of gravel. If your supplier gives you a weight per cubic yard, choose "Other" and enter it.
- Select "Calculate". The result shows the volume, the extra you added, the weight, and how many bags that would be.
How the estimate is calculated
Volume = length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches to feet. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Weight = cubic yards × the weight per cubic yard for the gravel you picked.
Example: a path 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, 3 inches deep. 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, which is 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. With 5% extra that's 52.5 cubic feet, or 1.94 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard it weighs about 2.63 tons, and it would take 105 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
How much does gravel weigh?
Gravel is sold by the ton at most quarries and by the cubic yard at many landscape yards, so the weight matters. Different stone, sizes, and moisture give different weights. These are the values this calculator uses:
| Material | Weight used | Where the number comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Washed gravel or pea gravel | 1.35 tons per cubic yard (100 lb per cubic foot) | Quikrete All-Purpose Gravel is sold in 50 lb bags that yield about 0.5 cubic foot. |
| Crushed stone, loose (#57 and similar) | 1.40 tons per cubic yard | Missouri DOT's estimating factor for loose aggregate. |
| Compacted base (crusher run, road base) | 1.85 tons per cubic yard | Wisconsin DOT's conversion for compacted dense-graded base aggregate. |
Your supplier's number is better than any of these. Ask what their material weighs per cubic yard and enter it under "Other".
Loose versus compacted gravel
A cubic yard of loose gravel does not stay a cubic yard once you compact it. A Wisconsin DOT study of 29 aggregates reported expansion factors of 27% to 60% between compacted and loose volume. That's why this calculator lists compacted base separately, at a higher weight per cubic yard. If you enter the finished, compacted depth of crusher run or road base, choose "Compacted base" so the tonnage is right.
Depth guidance from manufacturers
- Gravel base under a paver patio or walkway: 6 to 8 inches, and 10 to 14 inches under a paver driveway, according to Unilock's installation guide. Use our paver calculator for that job; it also works out the bedding sand.
- Gravel base under a block retaining wall: at least 6 inches, according to Allan Block. The retaining wall calculator includes it.
- Pea gravel under playground equipment: the CPSC playground handbook's table lists 9 inches of pea gravel for falls up to 5 feet, and NDSU Extension advises an initial fill of 12 inches for home playgrounds because loose fill compresses.
For a decorative bed or a walking surface, the right depth depends on the stone size. Start with the depth you have in mind and adjust it in the calculator to compare.
Bags or bulk?
One cubic yard equals 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Bags make sense for a tree well, a small path, or anywhere a truck can't reach. Past about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and much less work, even with a delivery fee. Ask about the minimum order, how close the truck can dump, and whether the price is per ton or per yard.
Common mistakes
- Entering depth in feet. A 3-inch layer is 3 in this calculator, not 0.25.
- Ordering the exact amount. Uneven ground, spreading, and settling use up more than the math says. The default 5% extra is a planning allowance, not an industry standard; raise it for rough or soft ground.
- Mixing up loose and compacted. If you'll run a plate compactor over crusher run, order by the compacted weight or you'll come up short.
- Forgetting the truck's limit. A cubic yard of gravel can weigh well over a ton. Check that the delivery truck, your driveway, and your trailer can take it.
Sources
Bag size and weight: Quikrete All-Purpose Gravel (50 lb, about 0.5 cu ft). Loose aggregate factor: Missouri DOT Engineering Policy Guide, Estimate Factors (1.40 tons per cubic yard). Compacted dense-graded base: Wisconsin DOT Standard Specifications (1.85 tons per cubic yard) and WisDOT research report 0092-22-05 on weight-volume conversion factors. Paver base depths: Unilock Project Planning Guide. Wall base: Allan Block residential installation guide. Playground depth: CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook and NDSU Extension FN1374. Unit conversions: NIST (1 inch = 25.4 mm exactly).
Related calculators
- Paver Calculator - pavers, gravel base, and bedding sand for a patio
- Retaining Wall Calculator - blocks, base gravel, and drainage stone
- Topsoil Calculator - soil for lawns and garden beds
- Sales Tax Calculator - add sales tax to a supplier's quote
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the stone. This calculator uses 1.35 tons per cubic yard for washed gravel and pea gravel, 1.40 for loose crushed stone, and 1.85 for compacted base such as crusher run. Your supplier can tell you the exact weight of their material.
How much area does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one cubic yard covers about 162 square feet. At 3 inches it covers 108 square feet, and at 4 inches 81 square feet. The rule is 324 divided by the depth in inches.
How many bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet make one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 0.5 cubic foot bag of gravel usually weighs about 50 pounds.
Should I add extra gravel?
Most people order a little more than the exact volume to cover uneven ground and settling. The calculator adds 5% by default. That figure is a planning allowance you can change, not an official standard.
Why does my supplier's estimate differ from this one?
Suppliers may use a different weight per cubic yard, round up to their delivery increments, or add for compaction. Give them your area and finished depth and ask how they convert it.