Gravel & Driveway Calculator
Cubic yards and tons of gravel for a driveway, path, or base.
Input sheet
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Gravel quarries sell by the ton, but you measure your driveway in feet — so converting volume to weight is the step that trips people up. This calculator does both and adds the compaction margin you'll need.
How it works
Length × width × depth in feet, divided by 27. Gravel weighs ~1.4 tons per cubic yard.
The calculator finds volume in cubic feet, converts to cubic yards by dividing by 27, then converts yards to tons using gravel's typical density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Density varies by stone type, so treat the tonnage as a close estimate rather than a guarantee.
Gravel compacts as it settles and gets driven on, so the loose volume you order ends up thinner once packed. Ordering about 5% extra keeps you from a shallow, washboard-prone surface.
Cubic feet = length × width × (depth ÷ 12); cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; tons = cubic yards × 1.4.
Worked examples
A 40 ft × 10 ft driveway laid 4 inches deep. → About 6.9 tons (≈ 4.9 cubic yards).
40 × 10 × 0.333 = 133 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 4.93 yd × 1.4 ≈ 6.9 tons.
A 12 ft × 12 ft shed base at 6 inches deep. → About 3.7 tons.
12 × 12 × 0.5 = 72 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 2.67 yd × 1.4 ≈ 3.7 tons.
Tips & gotchas
- Order roughly 5% extra to account for compaction — gravel settles and you don't want to make a second small order at a premium.
- Use a coarse base layer (like crushed #57 stone) under a finer top layer for a driveway that drains and stays put.
- Density swings with stone type — pea gravel, crushed limestone, and river rock all weigh differently, so confirm the tons-per-yard with your supplier for big orders.
- Edge restraints or a defined trench keep loose gravel from migrating into your yard over time.
FAQ
Why does gravel get sold by the ton instead of by volume?
Trucks and scales measure weight, and weight is consistent regardless of how the load settles. The calculator converts your volume to tons so you can place the order in the unit the quarry uses.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Four inches of surface gravel is typical for a residential drive, often over a deeper compacted base. Soft or clay-heavy soil wants more base depth to avoid rutting.
Will the tonnage be exact?
It's an estimate at ~1.4 tons per cubic yard. Lighter or heavier stone shifts the weight, so for a large delivery, ask your supplier for the density of the specific product.
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