How to use it
- Enter the length of the area in feet.
- Enter the width of the area in feet.
- Enter the desired depth in inches.
- Click Calculate to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons.
Use this free Gravel Yardage Calculator to turn simple measurements into the exact volume of material you’ll need. You input the length and width of the area in feet and the desired depth in inches; the tool converts those dimensions to cubic feet, then to cubic yards – the standard unit for ordering gravel. It also multiplies the cubic yards by a fixed weight factor of 1.4 tons per cubic yard, giving you an approximate tonnage for budgeting and truck load planning. Knowing the cubic yards helps you compare supplier quotes, while the ton estimate lets you confirm that a delivery truck can handle the load. The results appear instantly, so you can adjust dimensions on the fly and avoid costly over‑ordering or shortfalls.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% extra for waste and compaction
- Round up to the nearest whole cubic yard to simplify ordering
- Order a little more than the calculated tons to cover truck load variations
- Measure twice and double‑check units before entering data
Real-life examples
- Calculating gravel needed for a new driveway base
- Estimating material for a garden pathway with a specific depth
- Sizing a patio sub‑base before laying pavers
Case study
Sam needed a 12 ft × 20 ft driveway at 4 in depth. The calculator showed 2.22 cubic yards, about 3.1 tons. He ordered 3 tons, avoiding a shortfall and saving $150 versus over‑ordering.