How to use it
- Enter the driveway length in feet.
- Enter the driveway width in feet.
- Enter the gravel thickness in inches.
- Click Calculate to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and bags.
This calculator tells you exactly how much gravel your driveway needs. You enter the length, width, and desired thickness, and it instantly converts that into cubic yards, cubic feet, and the number of 80-lb bags. That last part matters because each 80-lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet of material.
Why does this help? Ordering too little means a second trip and extra delivery costs. Ordering too much means wasted money and a pile in your yard. The calculator removes guesswork.
Read the results like this: cubic yards are what you order from a gravel supplier; cubic feet are useful for comparing bag sizes; bags tell you how many to buy if you're doing the job yourself. For example, a 10x10-foot area at 6 inches deep equals about 1.85 cubic yards, or roughly 84 bags. Use the number that matches how you plan to buy.
Pro tips
- Add 10% extra for waste, settling, and uneven subgrade.
- Round up to the nearest whole bag or half yard—never order exact amounts.
- For large driveways, order by the cubic yard from a supplier—it's cheaper than bags.
- Don't forget to convert inches to feet in your head—the calculator does it for you.
Real-life examples
- Homeowner planning a new gravel driveway and wanting a precise material order.
- Contractor estimating total gravel needed for multiple driveway bids.
- Landscaper ordering bulk gravel for a residential project with a tight budget.
Case study
Mark measured his 12x40-foot driveway and guessed he needed 10 tons. He tried the calculator, entering 12x40x4 inches—it showed 5.93 cubic yards. He ordered 6.5 yards and finished with almost no waste, saving $180 compared to his guess.