Gravel Calculator FAQ

Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 12 ft × 12 ft patio at 3 inches deep needs about 1.33 cubic yards, or roughly 1.9 tons of #57 crushed stone. The calculator above does this instantly for any shape.

Multiply cubic yards by the material’s density in tons per cubic yard. Most crushed stone averages 1.4–1.5 tons per yard, crusher run runs about 1.6, and lightweight lava rock is near 0.7. Densities are typical values — confirm your supplier’s actual weight.

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet each. Bagged gravel typically costs far more per cubic yard than bulk delivery, so bags only make sense for small patch jobs.

Use 2–3 inches for decorative pathways, 4 inches for a driveway surface over a compacted base, and a depth sized to your pipe for French drains. Anything deeper than 4–6 inches in one lift should be compacted in layers.

Order 5–10% extra for compaction and settling. Gravel compacted with a plate compactor can lose 10% or more of its loose volume, and edges always need a little extra. The calculator has a toggle that adds the allowance for you.

Yes — GravelCalc Pro is completely free, requires no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser. Your inputs are saved only on your device, and you can bookmark or share the exact calculation using the link button.

Bulk gravel is sold by the cubic yard, by the ton, or by the scoop (typically 0.5–1 cubic yard). Bags are usually 0.5 cubic feet. Suppliers that sell by weight will ask which stone you want, because weight per yard varies by material.

Typical gravel weighs 2,700–3,400 pounds per cubic yard — 1.35 to 1.7 short tons — depending on stone type and moisture. Lava rock is much lighter at about 0.7 tons per yard. See our yard-weight guide for per-material values.

A full-size half-ton pickup typically handles 1–1.5 cubic yards of gravel safely; smaller trucks handle about 0.5–1 yard. One yard of typical gravel weighs over a ton, so payload — not bed space — is usually the limit.

#57 is clean crushed stone about 3/8–1 inch with no fines, used for drainage and bases. #411 is #57 blended with screenings (fine dust), so it compacts tightly — better for base layers under driveways and pavers.

For paths, patios and decorative beds, woven or non-woven landscape fabric under the gravel suppresses weeds and keeps stone from sinking into soil. Skip fabric under driveway bases unless the supplier recommends a geotextile for soft ground.

Multiply π (3.1416) by the radius squared to get area, then multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10-foot-diameter circle at 3 inches deep needs about 0.73 cubic yards. The calculator’s circle tab does it for you.

Use the calculator’s Border tab: enter the outer length and width of the area plus the border width. It subtracts the inner rectangle to get the ring’s area, then applies your depth — the same math used for tree rings and paths around beds.

Plain crushed gravel typically runs $15–$50 per ton delivered in the US, while decorative river rock or lava rock can reach $60–$150+ per ton. Prices vary a lot by region and stone — treat any figure as an estimate and get local quotes.