How to use it
- Enter the length and width of your driveway in feet
- Input the gravel thickness in inches
- Add the price per cubic yard of gravel
- View your cubic yards, cost, bags, and cubic feet instantly
This calculator turns your driveway measurements into the exact numbers you need to budget and order gravel. Enter length, width, thickness, and price per cubic yard, and you'll immediately see cubic yards required, estimated cost, equivalent 80-lb bags, and cubic feet. The bag count uses the standard yield of 0.6 cubic feet per 80-lb bag, so you can compare bulk delivery vs. bagged purchase. The result matters because ordering too little stalls your project, while ordering too much wastes money. Use the cubic yard figure when calling suppliers; use the bag count if you're hauling from a store. The cubic feet number helps visualize volume. Adjust thickness or price to see how changes affect cost. Whether you're planning a new driveway, topping up an existing one, or getting a quote reality-check, this gives you a clear, instant answer to work from.
Pro tips
- Add 10% waste for compaction and spillage — order that extra 0.1–0.2 cubic yards automatically
- Round up to the nearest half cubic yard when ordering bulk gravel; suppliers don't bill for partial feet
- If using bags, divide cubic yards by 45 (since each 80-lb bag yields 0.6 cu ft, and 27/0.6 = 45) to get bag count
- Don't confuse thickness in inches with depth in feet — convert first, or the estimate will be off by 12x
Real-life examples
- A homeowner planning a 20x30 ft gravel driveway needs to know how much to order and what it will cost
- A contractor pricing a job for a client needs a quick material estimate to submit a competitive bid
- A DIYer comparing bulk delivery vs. bagged gravel for a small parking pad wants to see which option is cheaper
Case study
Mark measured his 40x12 ft side driveway, entered a 4-inch thickness and $45 per cubic yard price. The calculator showed 5.93 cubic yards and $267. He added 10% waste, ordered 6.5 cubic yards, and avoided a second delivery fee. Total stayed under budget.