Gravel / Aggregate Calculator
Know exactly how much gravel to order before you buy. Enter your project area and desired depth to get cubic yards, cubic feet, and estimated weight in tons.
How to use Gravel / Aggregate Calculator
The gravel calculator estimates cubic yards, tonnes and bags of gravel or crushed stone for driveways, paths, drainage and landscaping. Enter the area dimensions and desired depth, choose your material, and get the exact quantity with an optional price estimate.
- Enter the length and width (or area in sq ft) of the space.
- Enter the desired gravel depth in inches.
- Choose the material type to get the correct density.
- Review cubic yards, tonnes and bag count.
Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.
Gravel depth guidelines by application
Coverage and load-bearing depend on depth and gravel size. Driveways need 4–6" of compacted base gravel plus a 2–3" top layer. Paths and patios: 3–4" total. Drainage backfill: 6–12" of clean crushed stone. Decorative landscape: 2–3". Formula: cubic yards = (length × width × depth in feet) ÷ 27. One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4–1.5 tonnes.
| Application | Recommended depth | Material type |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway base | 4–6 inches | Crushed limestone or #57 stone |
| Driveway top layer | 2–3 inches | Pea gravel or crushed stone |
| Foot path / walkway | 3–4 inches | Pea gravel or crushed granite |
| Drainage / French drain | 6–12 inches | Clean crushed stone #57/#4 |
| Decorative landscaping | 2–3 inches | Pea gravel, river rock |
| Concrete subbase | 4 inches | Compacted #21-A crusher run |
Compaction and drainage
Loose gravel compacts 20–30% under load and traffic. Add 25% to your calculated volume for high-traffic driveways. Ensure a slight crown (higher centre) on driveways for drainage: 1/4" per foot of width is standard. Edging (plastic bender board or metal) keeps gravel contained and prevents migration into lawn areas.
Glossary
- #57 stone
- Clean crushed gravel 3/4"–1" diameter; excellent drainage; standard driveway aggregate.
- Crusher run
- Crushed stone including fines; compacts firmly; used as a base layer.
- Compaction factor
- The reduction in volume when loose material is compacted; typically 20–30% for gravel.
- Tonne vs ton
- Metric tonne = 1,000 kg (~2,205 lbs); US short ton = 2,000 lbs. Gravel is often sold in short tons.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why use Gravel / Aggregate Calculator?
- Accurate material estimates reduce waste and over-ordering
- Supports both metric and imperial measurements
- Covers common materials: concrete, lumber, flooring, paint
- Results include waste factor buffers for professional accuracy
Common use cases
- Calculate concrete needed for a driveway
- Estimate flooring tiles for a room renovation
- Work out paint quantity for interior walls
- Calculate lumber needs for a deck project
- Estimate roofing material for a pitched roof
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