Gravel Calculator

Cubic yards and tons from area and depth — in the units the quarry sells.

Your area

Densities are typical — your supplier's ticket weight governs.
Compacted base?
Loose material consolidates when compacted — the +15% allowance is a rule of thumb (10–20%).

Materials list

How this calculator figures it

Volume is area × depth converted to cubic yards; tonnage multiplies by a typical density — about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone, 1.5 for crusher run with fines — figures consistent with published aggregate density charts. Densities vary by quarry and moisture; the supplier's scale ticket is the authoritative number.

How it works

yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27  ·  tons = yards × density (t/yd³)

Worked example — a 20 × 10 ft area at 4 inches: 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cu ft = 2.47 yd³, which is about 3.5 tons of #57 crushed stone. As a compacted base, add 15%: 2.84 yd³ ≈ 4.0 tons.

Gravel FAQs

Yards or tons — which do I order?

Suppliers sell both; tons is what the scale ticket says. Conversion here uses typical densities — 1.4 t/yd³ for crushed stone.

How deep for a driveway?

A 4" top-up layer is common; a new driveway is built in compacted layers totaling 8"+ — general practice.

#57 stone vs crusher run?

#57 is clean stone that drains; crusher run/DGA has fines and compacts into a hard base.

Why add 15% for a compacted base?

Loose material consolidates when compacted; 10–20% is the usual allowance. Rule of thumb.

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Related calculators & sources

Paver base with bedding sand included: Paver Calculator. Decorative stone: River Rock Calculator. Organic cover: Mulch Calculator. Fill and grading: Topsoil Calculator. Densities are cited at aggregate density charts; convert measurements with the weight and volume converters.

Estimates for planning and purchasing. Not engineering or code-compliance advice — confirm structural work with your local building department.