Gravel Calculator
Estimate how much gravel you need for a driveway, path or drainage bed, based on area and depth.
Result
Enter your numbers to see the estimate.
How this calculator works
Gravel is typically sold by the cubic yard (or by weight in tons, depending on your supplier), so knowing your project's volume ahead of time helps you order the right amount and avoid a second delivery fee. This calculator multiplies your area's length and width by your desired depth to get total volume.
Depth depends heavily on the project: a decorative garden path might only need 2 in of gravel, while a driveway base course is often 4-6 in deep, and drainage applications can go deeper still. Check your specific project's recommended depth before ordering — thicker isn't always better, and going too deep wastes material and budget.
Gravel compacts once it settles and is driven or walked on, so many contractors add 10-15% extra to their calculated volume to account for compaction and an uneven base. This calculator lets you add your own waste percentage on top of the raw volume.
Example: A driveway area of 20 ft × 10 ft at 4 in (0.33 ft) deep needs about 66.7 cubic feet, or roughly 2.47 cubic yards, of gravel.
How it works
Enter your measurements or costs
Fill in the room size, materials or costs for your project. No sign-up required.
Adjust the settings
Choose your units, waste percentage and any project-specific options.
Get your estimate instantly
See your results calculated instantly, right in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply your area's length and width by the desired depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. This calculator does the conversion automatically.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A typical gravel driveway base is 4-6 inches deep, sometimes with a compacted sub-base underneath for heavier vehicle traffic. Decorative paths can be as shallow as 2 inches.
Should I add extra gravel for compaction?
Yes, many contractors add 10-15% to account for gravel settling and compacting once it's spread and used. This calculator lets you apply your own waste percentage.
Is gravel sold by volume or weight?
Both, depending on the supplier — bulk gravel is often sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. This calculator gives you volume; ask your supplier for the weight-to-volume conversion for their specific gravel type.
Do I need to create an account to use this calculator?
No. All HomeCalc tools work instantly in your browser with no sign-up, login or payment required.