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.
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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.
Worked examples
10×10 ft area, 4 in deep
Inputs: 100 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 33.3 cu ft ÷ 27
Result: 1.23 yd³ (~1.7 tons); +25% for driveway compaction
Driveway 40×10 ft, 6 in base
Inputs: 400 sq ft × 0.5 ft = 200 cu ft ÷ 27
Result: ≈ 7.4 yd³ (~10.4 tons crushed stone)
French drain trench, 20×1×1 ft
Inputs: 20 cu ft ÷ 27
Result: ≈ 0.74 yd³ clean #57 stone
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
Why use Gravel / Aggregate Calculator?
- Calculates cubic yards and tonnes for driveways, paths and drainage projects
- Applies material-specific density so weight estimates match supplier invoices
- Converts results to bulk-bag or by-the-tonne quantities for any supplier format
- Compaction guidance flags when to add extra volume for high-traffic driveways
Common use cases
- Work out how many tonnes of crushed limestone to order for a new driveway base
- Calculate #57 stone volume needed to backfill a French drain trench
- Estimate decorative pea gravel bags for a garden pathway border
- Size the compacted subbase layer before pouring a concrete shed slab
- Determine gravel depth and quantity for a parking pad extension project
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