How to measure for gravel
Stake out the area or walk the edges with a tape. Length and width are the plan dimensions of the bed, path, or driveway section you are filling. Depth is how thick the stone layer should be after placement — not the depth of a hole you already dug unless that hole is exactly the finished thickness.
Enter depth in inches when you use feet for length and width (the default). In metric mode, length and width are meters and depth is centimeters. The math converts depth to feet (or the metric equivalent) so volume comes out in cubic feet, then cubic yards.
Cubic yards and tons
Suppliers in the U.S. often quote crushed stone by the cubic yard or by the ton. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Tons depend on density: this tool uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard as a typical crushed-stone planning figure and shows a range of about 1.3 to 1.7 so you do not treat the number as exact.
Lightweight decorative rock, wet stone, and dense granite will not match 1.4. When in doubt, call the yard with your cubic yards and ask them to convert for the product on their lot.
Waste, compaction, and coverage
Uneven subgrade, compaction, and spillage eat volume. A 10% waste toggle is the default. Drop to 5% on a flat, well-formed pad, or 0% if you prefer to order a small top-up later.
The coverage line shows how many square feet one cubic yard covers at your depth (before waste). Deeper layers cover fewer square feet per yard — useful when you are comparing a 3-inch walkway to a 6-inch driveway base.
Need the footprint area first? Use the Square Footage Calculator, then come back with length and width.
FAQ
How deep should gravel be?
Driveways often use about 4–6 inches of compacted base; walkways and decorative beds may be 2–3 inches. Check local practice and your supplier’s recommendation for the stone you choose.
Do I order gravel by the ton or by the yard?
Suppliers sell both ways. This calculator shows cubic yards and an approximate tonnage using 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical crushed stone. Ask your yard which unit they quote.
Why is the tonnage only approximate?
Stone density varies with rock type, moisture, and how finely it is crushed. A common planning range is about 1.3 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. Use the midpoint for a rough cart, then confirm with the supplier.
How much waste should I add?
A 10% buffer is a reasonable default for compaction, uneven ground, and spillage. Use 5% on a flat, well-measured pad, or 0% if you will order a top-up later.