Gravel Calculator — How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate cubic yards, tons, and delivered cost to your ZIP.
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3. Enter Dimensions
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Enter your dimensions on the left to see your recommended order quantity for the selected product.
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Enter your project dimensions and we will tell you exactly how many cubic yards or tons of gravel to order — plus a delivered price for Florida ZIPs. Built by people who deliver gravel every day.
How to use this gravel calculator
- 1
Measure your area
Measure length and width in feet. For irregular shapes, square off to the longest length and widest width — the extra material acts as a built-in buffer.
- 2
Pick a depth
Use 2 inches for decorative ground cover, 4 inches for a driveway top layer, 6 inches for a structural driveway base, and 12 inches for trench fill.
- 3
Select the gravel type
Each gravel has a different density. The calculator switches between cubic yards and tons automatically based on how that material is sold.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
A Florida ZIP returns a live delivered price. Outside Florida the calculator still works for sizing — request a quote for non-Florida delivery.
How the math works
The base formula is Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 = cubic yards (when all dimensions are in feet, with depth converted from inches by dividing by 12). One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
To convert volume to tons, we multiply cubic yards by the material density. #57 limerock runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel is closer to 1.4. Crushed stone is denser at 1.5 to 1.6. The calculator uses the live catalog density for the material you selected.
We then add a product-specific buffer (typically 10–15%) to cover settling, compaction, and edge waste, and round up to a whole sellable unit. That is the number to actually order.
How much does gravel cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 231 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 116 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 77 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 58 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 39 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 19 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
Assumes a density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, typical for #57 limerock and most washed gravels. Denser crushed stone covers slightly less per ton.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft × 100 ft driveway top course | 4" | 1,200 sq ft | ~15 cubic yards |
| French drain (50 ft × 12" wide) | 12" | 50 sq ft | ~2 cubic yards |
| 10 ft × 12 ft fire pit area | 3" | 120 sq ft | ~1.2 cubic yards |
| Shed pad 12 ft × 16 ft | 4" | 192 sq ft | ~2.4 cubic yards |
| Paver base 400 sq ft | 4" | 400 sq ft | ~5 cubic yards |
Which size should you use?
Gravel size is graded by the largest stone diameter. The right size depends on what you are building, not just how it looks.
#57 stone (¾"–1")
Driveway base and top, drainage behind retaining walls, concrete base. The most versatile size and a Florida workhorse.
#89 stone / pea gravel (⅜"–½")
Decorative ground cover, walkways, playgrounds, drainage trenches. Compacts loosely.
#4 stone (1½"–2½")
Drainage behind walls, erosion control in low-flow areas, French drain fill where flow rate matters.
Crushed concrete
Driveway base or fill where final appearance does not matter. Compacts harder than virgin limerock for less money.
Lime rock base
FDOT-spec compactable base course under driveways, slabs, and parking pads.
Recycled asphalt millings
Driveway top course that hardens like asphalt over time. Excellent for long rural drives.
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries — these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Forgetting compaction
Gravel settles. A 4-inch driveway base will lose roughly half an inch after vehicles drive on it. Add 10–15% to your estimate for any compacted application, or you will be ordering a second short load.
Measuring the wrong depth
A residential driveway needs at least 4 inches of top course over a 4-inch compacted base — 8 inches total. People estimate the top course alone and end up with a thin driveway that washes out after the first heavy rain.
Mixing up tons and cubic yards
Gravel is sold either way depending on the supplier. A cubic yard of #57 stone weighs about 1.4 tons. If you order 10 yards expecting 10 tons, you will get 14 — and pay for it. Always confirm the unit before checkout.
Ignoring edge containment
Gravel without edging migrates. For driveways, plan on landscape timbers, pavers, or compacted soil shoulders. Without containment you will lose 1–2 inches of depth per year to spread and bleed-out.
Choosing the wrong gravel size
Pea gravel rolls under tires and is miserable for driveways. #57 stone is too coarse for a walking path. Match the gravel size to the use — there is a size guide further down this page.
Skipping the base layer
A single layer of gravel on bare soil will sink within a season. For anything driven on, install a compacted base of crushed limerock or road base first, then a top course over geotextile fabric.
Frequently asked questions
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