Gravel / Aggregate Calculator — ft to tons, yd³, cost
How to use this calculator
Select an area shape (rectangle, circle, triangle, L-shape, or enter area directly), enter dimensions in feet, inches, and fractions, set the gravel depth, and choose the material type. Results update instantly with volume, weight, coverage, and truck loads.
Material — select from 10 aggregate types; each has a different bulk density that affects weight and truck loads.
Cost — price per ton or per cubic yard. Set truck capacity to estimate delivery loads.
Compaction — gravel compacts 5-15% during installation; the waste/compaction slider accounts for this.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Material | Area ft² | Vol yd³ | Weight tons | Trucks | Cost |
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How to Calculate Gravel and Aggregate
This gravel calculator estimates volume in cubic yards and weight in US short tons (2,000 lb) for 10 common aggregate materials. Enter the coverage area dimensions in feet, inches, and fractions, set the desired gravel depth (typical: 2" for walkways, 4" for driveways, 6" for structural base courses per ASTM D2940), and choose the material type. The waste/compaction slider accounts for material loss during spreading and compaction.
Formulas
Volume: Area (ft²) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Volume (yd³). Weight: Volume (yd³) × Density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2,000 = Weight (tons). Common densities: Gravel/Crushed stone 2,700 lb/yd³ (1.35 tons/yd³), Sand 2,500 lb/yd³, Topsoil 1,800 lb/yd³, Mulch 600 lb/yd³.
How Many Tons of Gravel Do I Need?
For a 10×20 ft driveway at 4" depth: 200 ft² × 0.333 ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³. At 2,700 lb/yd³: 2.47 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 3.33 tons. Add 10% for compaction: about 3.7 tons. A standard dump truck carries 10-15 tons, so one load is sufficient for most residential projects.
FAQ
What depth of gravel for a driveway? 4-6 inches is standard: 4" compacted base + 2" surface layer. How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh? About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) for standard gravel; pea gravel and sand weigh about 2,500 lb/yd³. How much area does 1 ton of gravel cover? At 2" depth, about 100 ft²; at 4" depth, about 50 ft².
