How to use it
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet
- Enter the depth in inches (typical range: 2–6 in)
- Hit Calculate to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and estimated tons
- Order your gravel using the tons estimate plus 10% waste allowance
This crushed gravel calculator tells you exactly how much material to order for any project — no guesswork, no running short mid-job. Just enter length, width, and depth, and it instantly returns cubic yards, cubic feet, and approximate tons using a standard weight of 1.4 US tons per cubic yard.
The cubic yard figure is what you'll use to compare with supplier pricing and truckload sizes. The ton estimate matters because gravel is sold by weight, not volume, at most yards. For example, a 10 ft × 10 ft area at 3 in deep is about 0.93 cubic yards — roughly 1.3 tons.
Read the result as your base order. Then add 10% for compaction and settling. If your depth is uneven, measure in the deepest spots and average them. This tool saves you from overpaying for unused material or delaying your project waiting on a second delivery.
Pro tips
- Add 10% waste allowance to any result — gravel compacts and spreads thinner than you expect
- Round up to the nearest half ton when ordering; most suppliers won't deliver partial fractions
- Use the cubic yard number to compare quotes — suppliers often price by the yard, not the ton
- Measure depth at several points and average them, especially on sloped or uneven ground
Real-life examples
- Ordering the right amount of crushed gravel for a new driveway base
- Filling a French drain trench with the correct stone volume
- Planning a paver base layer for a patio or walkway project
Case study
Mark planned a 12×8 ft paver patio with 4 in of crushed gravel. He used the calculator: 12×8×0.333 = 32 cu ft, about 1.19 cu yd, roughly 1.66 tons. He ordered 1.8 tons with waste. The job finished without a second trip — he saved time and avoided a leftover pile.