Gravel Calculator
Enter your dimensions for an instant answer — the exact quantity to buy (waste included), a material cost, and an estimated installed cost. Change any figure to update the result live.
| ITEM | QTY | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| tons | 2.72 | $108.8–$176.8 |
| Estimated material total | $108.8–$176.8 |
- 1.94 × cubic yards — $67.9–$116.4
How much gravel do I need?
Enter length, width and depth. Crushed stone, pea gravel and recycled crushed concrete all follow the same math: the calculator converts your volume to cubic yards and to tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, adds 5% waste, and shows both — quarries sell by the ton, landscape yards often by the yard.
Depth is the decision that moves the number: 2 inches for paths, 3–4 inches for a driveway topping course, 4–6 inches for a new gravel driveway base, and 4 inches of compacted base under a concrete slab.
Formula & methodology
tons = (length ft × width ft × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.4, + 5% waste
Volume converted to cubic yards, then to tons at 1.40 tons per cubic yard — the typical density of crushed stone (pea gravel runs slightly lighter). One ton covers about 80 square feet at 3 inches deep.
All constants are published on the material reference; the full model is on the methodology page.
20 ft × 10 ft, 3 in deep: you need 2.59 tons (buy 2.72 with waste), about $108.8–$176.8 in materials. See how we calculate this →
Popular sizes
Gravel cost
Gravel runs $40–$65 per ton nationally; delivered-and-spread driveway pricing varies by state.
gravel cost by state →Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth for cubic feet, divide by 27, then multiply by 1.4 for tons. A 20 × 10 ft area at 3 inches needs about 2.6 tons — the calculator above adds 5% waste and shows cubic yards too.
How much gravel do I need for my driveway?
A single-car driveway of 40 × 12 ft needs about 8.3 tons at a 4-inch depth. New driveways typically get 4–6 inches of compacted base plus a 2–3 inch topping course.
How much gravel under a concrete slab?
A 4-inch compacted gravel base is standard under residential slabs — about 2.5 tons for a 12 × 12 ft slab. It improves drainage and reduces cracking.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or roughly 80 square feet at 3 inches deep.
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