Gravel & rock calculator · v1.0
Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel you need from measured area and depth. See geometric volume and estimated tons first, then allowance, supplier rounding and cost separately.
✓No signup
✓Cubic yards + tons
✓Editable density
✓Irregular areas
Driveway quantity example
How much gravel covers 1,000 ft² at 4 inches?
Cubic yards are geometric volume. US tons are a separate density-based conversion, so replace the example density with the quarry or supplier figure for the exact material.
- Raw geometric volume
- 12.35 yd³ 1,000 ft² × 4 in, before allowance
- At 1.35 tons / yd³
- 16.67 US tons Raw density conversion
- At 1.40 tons / yd³
- 17.28 US tons Raw density conversion
Assumptions in this example
- 1,000 ft² measured area.
- 4-in supplied finished depth.
- No allowance or order rounding in the headline figures.
These depths and densities are examples for quantity comparison, not driveway-layer design advice and not a universal #57-stone density.
Step 1
Project details
Choose the closest material, measure the area, check the project preview and enter the finished gravel depth. The density and ordering allowance remain visible and editable.
Project measurement
Ordering & pricing
Advanced assumptions
How to calculate how much gravel you need
Measure the project area, multiply by the gravel depth to get volume, then convert that volume to cubic yards. If your supplier sells by weight, multiply the cubic yards by the material density in US tons per cubic yard. JobsiteMeasure keeps the volume and weight calculations separate so you can match the way your supplier quotes material.
Area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 = volume (ft³)
Volume (ft³) ÷ 27 = cubic yards
Cubic yards × material density (US tons / yd³) = approximate US tons
Gravel cubic yards vs tons
Cubic yards measure volume; tons measure weight. There is no single exact yards-to-tons conversion for every gravel product because stone type, gradation, moisture and compaction change bulk density. The calculator uses editable material presets rather than treating every rock as identical.
| Material preset | Planning density | Use the preset for |
|---|---|---|
| General gravel | 1.40 US tons / yd³ | Mixed landscape or construction gravel when supplier data is unavailable |
| Pea gravel | 1.40 US tons / yd³ | Paths, patios, drainage and decorative areas |
| Crushed stone | 1.40 US tons / yd³ | Driveways, base layers and general aggregate |
| River rock | 1.35 US tons / yd³ | Decorative landscape rock and drainage stone |
| Crusher run | 1.35 US tons / yd³ | Compactable driveway and base material |
Supplier conversion wins: if your quarry or landscape yard states a tons-per-cubic-yard figure for the exact product, enter that value in Advanced assumptions.
Geometric gravel volume by area and depth
These cubic-yard values depend only on measured area and depth. They do not use material density, allowance, or supplier rounding.
| Area | 2 in (yd³) | 3 in (yd³) | 4 in (yd³) | 6 in (yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 ft² | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 400 ft² | 2.47 | 3.70 | 4.94 | 7.41 |
| 600 ft² | 3.70 | 5.56 | 7.41 | 11.11 |
| 800 ft² | 4.94 | 7.41 | 9.88 | 14.81 |
| 1,000 ft² | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
Density conversion for the 1,000-ft²-at-4-in volume
The same geometric volume produces different tonnages when the selected or supplier-provided material density changes.
| Selected density | Raw volume | Raw weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1.20 US tons / yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 14.81 US tons |
| 1.35 US tons / yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 16.67 US tons |
| 1.40 US tons / yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 17.28 US tons |
| 1.50 US tons / yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 US tons |
How much area does one cubic yard of gravel cover?
Coverage depends entirely on depth. These engine-generated values are pure geometry before any ordering allowance:
- 2 in deep: approximately 162 ft² from 1 yd³
- 3 in deep: approximately 108 ft² from 1 yd³
- 4 in deep: approximately 81 ft² from 1 yd³
- 6 in deep: approximately 54 ft² from 1 yd³
The area-and-depth table above provides the same geometric relationship for larger measured areas.
Gravel driveway calculator example
- Raw volume
- 12.35 yd³ Geometric requirement
- With 10% allowance
- 13.58 yd³ Before procurement rounding
- Adjusted weight
- 19.01 US tons At the explicit 1.40-ton/yd³ assumption
- Rounded ton order
- 19.1 US tons Rounded upward to the existing 0.1-ton increment
For a supplier selling by volume, compare the adjusted cubic yards with the separately rounded 14.0-yd³ volume order. For a supplier selling by weight, use the selected or supplier-provided density and the 19.1-US-ton order. These are distinct ordering paths.
For an actual driveway, use the layer depths and aggregate specification required for that construction—the calculator estimates quantity, not pavement design.
Gravel calculator FAQs
How many tons cover 1,000 ft² at 4 inches?
The raw volume is about 12.35 yd³. Raw tons depend on density: the direct answer above compares 1.35 and 1.40 US tons per cubic yard before allowance.
How many square feet does one ton of gravel cover?
Coverage depends on both depth and bulk density. Select the material or enter the supplier conversion, then use the measured depth.
Are crusher run, road base, ¾-in stone, and #57 stone the same density?
Do not assume so. Product gradation, stone type, moisture, and supplier handling affect bulk density. Use the supplier’s conversion for the exact product when available.
Why do cubic yards and tons produce different order quantities?
Cubic yards measure geometric volume; tons measure weight. Density converts between them, and suppliers may use separate purchase increments.
Should I add an allowance for compaction or uneven grade?
Use an allowance appropriate to the measured site, specification, and supplier guidance. The calculator’s allowance is visible and editable rather than universal.
Can I calculate an irregular driveway?
Yes. Use multiple sections to add measured pieces and subtract islands or excluded areas.
Can I use this as a pea gravel calculator?
Yes. Select Pea gravel to load its editable planning density, then enter the project dimensions and depth. Replace the preset if the supplier provides a different conversion.
Does it work for crushed stone, river rock, and crusher run?
Yes. Those materials remain available as presets. The geometry is unchanged; the approximate weight conversion uses the selected or user-entered density.
Does this page choose the correct driveway layer thickness?
No. Enter the depth required by the project design or specification; the calculator only converts it to quantity.
Sources and calculation basis
- JobsiteMeasure methodology and source register — documents the editable density, allowance, and purchase-increment assumptions.
- Supplier or quarry product data — preferred for the exact material density and ordering rules used on a real job.
Values generated September 3, 2026.