Planning Your Gravel Project
Gravel is essential for driveways, walkways, drainage, and landscaping. This calculator helps you determine how many cubic yards or tons you need based on your project area and depth.
Before you order:
- Measure accurately: Include any irregular areas
- Know your depth: Driveways need 4-6", paths 2-3"
- Plan for compaction: Add 10-15% for settling
- Consider base layers: Larger stone for base, smaller for surface
- Check delivery access: Dump trucks need room to back in
Types of Gravel
| Type | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| #57 Crushed Stone | 3/4" - 1" | Driveway base, drainage |
| #411 (Road Base) | Mix | Driveway/patio base (compacts well) |
| Pea Gravel | 3/8" | Walkways, playgrounds, decorative |
| River Rock | 1" - 3" | Landscape borders, dry creek beds |
| Crushed Granite (DG) | 1/4" | Pathways, patio surfaces |
Recommended Gravel Depth
2-3"
Walkways & light landscaping
4"
Patio & light vehicle
6"
Standard driveways
8-12"
Heavy vehicles/commercial
How to Calculate Gravel Needs
1. Cubic Feet = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12)
2. Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
3. Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.4 (gravel weighs ~2,800 lbs/yard)
Ordering tips:
- Most suppliers sell by the TON, not cubic yard
- Add 10-15% for settling and compaction
- Delivery fees vary - often $50-150 per load
Example: 10×50 ft Driveway
Scenario: Installing a 10×50 ft gravel driveway with 6 inches of crushed stone.
- Cubic feet: 10 × 50 × (6 ÷ 12) = 250 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 250 ÷ 27 = 9.26 cubic yards
- Tons: 9.26 × 1.4 = 13 tons
- Add 10% for settling: 14-15 tons
Result: Order 15 tons. At $30-50/ton = $450-750 + delivery ($75-150)