🪨 Gravel Calculator
Work out how much gravel, sand, topsoil or mulch you need – in cubic yards, cubic meters, tons and bags – plus the cost.
Quick answer: Volume = length × width × depth. A 10 × 10 ft area 3 inches deep needs 25 cubic feet of gravel – 0.93 cubic yards (0.71 m³), or about 1.31 US tons (1.19 tonnes).
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Gravel Calculator inputs
Result
Gravel needed
0.93 yd³
≈ 1.31 US tons · 25 cubic feet
| Area | 100 sq ft |
| Cubic yards | 0.93 |
| Cubic meters | 0.71 |
| Cubic feet | 25 |
| Weight (US tons) | 1.31 |
| Weight (tonnes) | 1.19 |
- 0.5 cu ft bags
- 50
- Density used
- 1.68 t/m³
Bags needed
| Bag size | Bags |
|---|---|
| 0.5 cu ft bag | 50 |
| 2 cu ft bag | 13 |
| 50 L bag | 15 |
| 25 kg bag | 48 |
| 1 tonne bulk bag | 2 |
Weight of the same volume by material
| Material | Density | US tons | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.68 t/m³ (1.42 tons/yd³) | 1.31 | 1.19 |
| Crushed stone | 1.6 t/m³ (1.35 tons/yd³) | 1.25 | 1.13 |
| Pea gravel | 1.52 t/m³ (1.28 tons/yd³) | 1.19 | 1.08 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.6 t/m³ (1.35 tons/yd³) | 1.25 | 1.13 |
| Topsoil | 1.25 t/m³ (1.05 tons/yd³) | 0.98 | 0.88 |
| Mulch (bark / wood chips) | 0.35 t/m³ (0.29 tons/yd³) | 0.27 | 0.25 |
Densities are typical for loose, dry material – wet sand or soil can weigh 20% more. Add 5–10% for compaction and uneven ground.
How to calculate gravel, sand, soil or mulch
Measure the area, choose the depth, and multiply. Convert to cubic yards (US bulk suppliers) or cubic meters, then multiply by the material’s density to get the weight in tons.
Volume = length × width × depth (or π × r² × depth) · 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.7646 m³
Weight = volume × density · gravel ≈ 1.68 t/m³ (1.42 tons/yd³)
Worked example
A 10 × 10 ft path 3 inches deep: 3 in = 0.25 ft, so 10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 ft³ = 0.93 yd³ (0.71 m³). At 1.68 t/m³ that is 1.19 tonnes, or 1.31 US tons – or 50 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
Typical densities
| Material | t/m³ | US tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.68 | 1.42 |
| Crushed stone | 1.60 | 1.35 |
| Pea gravel | 1.52 | 1.28 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.60 | 1.35 |
| Topsoil | 1.25 | 1.05 |
| Mulch | 0.35 | 0.29 |
Recommended depths
- Decorative gravel or mulch beds: 2–3 in (5–8 cm).
- Garden paths: 3 in (8 cm) over a compacted base.
- Driveways: 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of crushed stone over a sub-base, more for heavy vehicles.
- New lawn topsoil: 4–6 in (10–15 cm).
Tips
- Order 5–10% extra – gravel settles and compacts, and edges are rarely perfectly square.
- Ask your supplier whether they sell by the ton or by the yard, and enter the price under advanced options.
- Lay landscape fabric under decorative gravel to suppress weeds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Typically 2,500–3,000 lb (about 1.25–1.5 US tons, or 1.1–1.4 tonnes) depending on stone size and moisture. This calculator uses 1.68 t/m³, about 1.42 tons per cubic yard.
How deep should gravel be?
About 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) for paths and decorative areas, 4 inches (10 cm) for patios and sheds, and 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) or more in layers for driveways.
How many bags of gravel make a yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft (the common 50 lb bag) or 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft. Above about a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches or 324 sq ft at 1 inch. In metric, 1 m³ covers about 13 m² at 7.5 cm.
How do I calculate gravel for a circular area?
Choose the circle shape and enter the diameter. The area is π × (diameter ÷ 2)², which is then multiplied by the depth.