Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Enter your area and depth — the calculator converts it to cubic yards, tons and truckloads for the exact material you pick, then sends the numbers to your quote.
Free planning tool
Calculate Cubic Yards, Tons & Truckloads
Enter the area and depth. The calculator converts it to cubic yards, tons and truckloads for the exact material you pick — then sends the numbers straight into your quote request.
Enter your dimensions to see cubic yards, tons and truckloads.
- Material
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- Area
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- Volume
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- Recommended order
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- 18-ton truckloads
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- Delivered price
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Based on diesel at or below $5.50/gal. Fuel surcharges may apply if diesel exceeds $5.50. Final price confirmed before dispatch.
Planning estimate only — we confirm the quantity and give you an exact delivered price with your quote.
How the gravel calculator works
- Area — length × width for rectangles, π × r² for circles, ½ × base × height for triangles. All in feet.
- Volume — area × depth (inches ÷ 12) = cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Weight — cubic yards × the material's density. Crushed stone and gravel run about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, crusher run about 1.5, sand 1.3–1.35, fill dirt about 1.2 and topsoil about 1.1.
- Compaction & waste — base materials compact when rolled, and some always ends up on the edges. We add 10% by default.
- Truckloads — a full load is up to 18 tons; the calculator rounds up.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Refresh an existing gravel driveway | 2" |
| Walkway, path or patio top layer | 2–3" |
| New driveway top layer | 3–4" |
| Driveway or parking base (crusher run / #411) | 4–6" |
| Heavy trucks or equipment pads | 6–8" |
| French drain / drainage trench | full trench depth |
Quick reference
- 1 cubic yard of gravel covers about 108 sq ft at 3" or 81 sq ft at 4".
- 1 ton of gravel covers about 75–80 sq ft at 3".
- A 60 × 12 ft driveway at 4" needs ≈ 8.9 yd³ ≈ 12.4 tons (+10% ≈ 13.75 tons).
FAQ
Gravel Calculator FAQ
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Most crushed stone and gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lb). Dense-graded base like crusher run is closer to 1.5 tons. The calculator uses the right density for each material.
How much does 1 ton of gravel cover?
Roughly 75–80 square feet at 3" deep, or about 60 square feet at 4" deep.
Should I order extra?
Yes — add about 10% for compaction and spillage on base materials. Running short means a second delivery fee; a small surplus is easy to spread.
Can I send the estimate for a quote?
Yes. Click "Use this estimate for my quote" and the numbers are attached to your request automatically.
Ordering for Baldwin or Mobile County? Use the South Alabama truckload calculator with delivered pricing.
Free quote
Request a Free Quote
Tell us what you need and where. You will get a straight, delivered price — no runaround.
- Call Cliff directly(205) 506-5000
- E-mailoffice@cthauling.com
- Yard & office10494 Highway 25, Calera, AL
- HoursMon–Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sat by appointment