How the estimate works
Ordering aggregate means answering two questions: how much space are you filling, and how heavy is the material that fills it. The calculator does both.
First it converts your measurements into a single volume. Length × width × depth gives cubic feet or cubic metres, which is then converted to cubic yards — the unit most suppliers quote. If you already know your area or your volume, the other two modes skip straight to that step.
Then it applies a bulk density: the weight of one cubic yard of that material as it sits loose in a truck. Multiply volume by density and you have the weight in tons. Because density genuinely varies with stone size and moisture, the result is a range — order toward the higher end if you would rather have a little left over than run short.
Measuring the area properly
- Measure length and width at the widest points. For an irregular shape, split it into rectangles, work each one out separately and add the results.
- Decide the depth before you measure anything else — it has as much effect on the total as the area does. Doubling the depth doubles the order.
- Keep units consistent or let the selectors handle it. Mixing feet and inches by hand is where most estimates go wrong.
- For circles, multiply the radius by itself, then by 3.14, and enter that as the area.
Bulk density of common landscaping materials
These are the figures the calculator uses. They are typical loose densities; a supplier's own numbers should take precedence if they quote them.
| Material | Per cubic yard (lbs) | Per cubic yard (tons) | Per cubic metre (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¼″ – 2″) | 2,800 – 3,400 | 1.4 – 1.7 | 1,661 – 2,017 |
| Pea gravel (¼″ – ⅜″) | 2,500 – 3,000 | 1.25 – 1.5 | 1,483 – 1,780 |
| Crushed stone / #57 | 2,700 – 3,300 | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1,602 – 1,958 |
| Rock (2″ – 6″) | 2,200 – 2,800 | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1,305 – 1,661 |
| Riprap | 3,400 – 4,000 | 1.7 – 2 | 2,017 – 2,373 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,600 – 3,000 | 1.3 – 1.5 | 1,543 – 1,780 |
| Sand (wet) | 3,000 – 3,400 | 1.5 – 1.7 | 1,780 – 2,017 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,000 – 2,600 | 1 – 1.3 | 1,187 – 1,543 |
| Topsoil (wet) | 3,000 – 3,400 | 1.5 – 1.7 | 1,780 – 2,017 |
| Bark mulch | 400 – 800 | 0.2 – 0.4 | 237 – 475 |
Overage and compaction
Almost nobody needs exactly what the maths says. Gravel spills in transit, settles into soft ground, and disappears into voids that were invisible when you measured. An extra 10% is the normal allowance, and it is far cheaper than a second delivery charge for half a ton.
Compaction is separate. If the layer is going to be plate-compacted — a driveway, a patio sub-base, a shed pad — loose volume shrinks substantially, often by around a quarter to a third. Use the +30% option for those jobs. Decorative gravel that is simply raked level does not need it.
Frequently asked questions
Is gravel sold by the ton or by the cubic yard?
Both, and it varies by supplier. Larger yards usually price by weight in tons, while smaller quantities are often sold by volume in cubic yards. This calculator gives you both figures so you can order either way — and compare prices fairly between two suppliers quoting in different units.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Roughly 1.4 to 1.7 tons for typical ¼″–2″ gravel. The spread exists because density changes with stone size, moisture and how tightly the load settles. That is why the result above is shown as a range rather than a single number.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 2-inch depth, one ton of gravel covers somewhere around 95 to 120 square feet. Double the depth and you halve the coverage. Switch the calculator to "Area" mode to get the figure for your own depth.
How deep should a gravel driveway or path be?
A garden path is usually fine at 2 inches. A patio base or walkway is typically 3 to 4 inches. A driveway normally needs 4 to 6 inches, often laid in two or three separate compacted layers rather than one deep pour.
Why add extra on top of the calculated amount?
Material is lost in transport and handling, and a backfilled area almost always has voids you cannot see when measuring. Ordering about 10% extra is standard. If the gravel will be compacted, you may need considerably more — compaction can remove up to roughly 30% of loose volume.
Does this work in metric?
Yes. Set any dimension to centimetres or metres and the calculator handles the conversion. Results are given in both US tons and cubic yards, and in tonnes and cubic metres.