Calculate tons and cubic yards of gravel, crushed stone, sand, or topsoil needed for your driveway, path, or drainage project.
Enter your area dimensions and material type, then click Calculate
This free gravel calculator works out how much gravel, crushed stone, sand, or topsoil you need for a driveway, path, drainage bed, or landscaping project — in cubic yards, cubic feet, and estimated tons — using material-specific density factors, since different materials weigh different amounts for the same volume.
Enter your area's length, width, and desired depth, and select the material type. The calculator multiplies length by width by depth (converted from inches to feet) to get the volume in cubic feet, divides by 27 to get cubic yards — the unit most suppliers sell by — and multiplies by your selected material's density factor to estimate the total weight in tons, since most gravel suppliers price and deliver by weight rather than loose volume.
Homeowners planning a gravel driveway, path, or drainage project; landscapers estimating material for a client job; and anyone comparing sand, gravel, crushed stone, or topsoil quantities for a project. It's a planning tool for straightforward rectangular areas of uniform depth.
The exact formula this calculator uses
Area × Depth gives volume, with depth converted to feet first so all dimensions share the same unit before multiplying.
Different materials pack at different densities — sand is generally heavier per cubic yard than gravel, which is heavier than lightweight topsoil.
Most suppliers price and deliver gravel by the ton rather than by loose volume, since weight is a more consistent measurement across varying moisture content.
From entering area dimensions to reading your weight estimate
Type the length and width of the area you're covering, in feet.
Enter your target gravel depth in inches — 2-4 inches is common for paths, 4-6 inches for driveways.
Choose gravel, crushed stone, sand, topsoil, or pea gravel to use the right density factor.
See your total volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus the estimated weight in tons.
A gravel path and a driveway resurfacing, calculated step by step
Approximate weight per cubic yard for common landscaping materials
| Material | Approx. Tons per Cubic Yard | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.4 | Driveways, drainage, general fill |
| Crushed Stone | 1.35 | Base layers, drainage, French drains |
| Sand | 1.5 | Paver base, patio leveling, concrete mix |
| Pea Gravel | 1.2 | Decorative paths, playground surfacing |
| Topsoil | 1.0 | Garden beds, lawn leveling |
These are commonly cited estimates — actual density varies by moisture content, particle size, and specific source material. Always confirm the exact density figure with your supplier when ordering by weight for a large or critical project.
Where an accurate volume and weight estimate saves money on delivery
Estimate tons needed for a new gravel driveway or a resurfacing top-up.
Calculate pea gravel or crushed stone needed for a decorative garden path.
Estimate crushed stone for a French drain, drainage trench, or gravel bed.
Calculate sand or gravel base material needed before laying pavers.
Estimate topsoil for raised beds, lawn leveling, or new sod preparation.
Quickly rough out material weight and cost for a client landscaping quote.
What this gravel calculator does well, and where it has boundaries
Order the right amount the first time
Summary: This gravel calculator turns your area's length, width, depth, and material type into cubic yards, cubic feet, and an estimated weight in tons — a fast, free planning tool for driveways, paths, drainage, and landscaping projects. Pair it with the Mulch Calculator or Concrete Calculator for the rest of your project.
Common questions about estimating gravel quantities
Industry references to complement this calculator
Other home & project tools