How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Estimate cubic yards and approximate tons of gravel for a driveway, walkway, patio, landscape bed, or other measured area.
Use the gravel calculator first
Enter length and width in feet and the planned depth in inches in the ATHENA Gravel Calculator. Choose the project type to see a starting depth suggestion, then adjust for your actual site and material.
How to calculate gravel volume
Calculate cubic feet from length × width × depth, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. With depth entered in inches, the calculator uses the equivalent conversion of dividing length × width × depth by 324.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth in inches ÷ 324
Example: a 20 × 30 ft area at 4 inches
The area is 600 square feet. At 4 inches deep, the base volume is about 7.4 cubic yards. ATHENA's 10% planning allowance brings the planning quantity to about 8.1 cubic yards.
How much gravel do I need for an irregular area?
Break an irregular space into smaller rectangles or other manageable sections. Calculate each section separately, then add the cubic-yard results before planning the order.
How much does gravel weigh?
ATHENA uses a planning estimate of 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Actual density varies by material, rock size, moisture, and supplier, so confirm the density used by your gravel supplier before ordering by weight.
Estimated tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
How much should I order?
Use the calculator's planning quantity as a starting point, then compare it with the supplier's stated product density, delivery minimums, and ordering increments. The final amount may differ because site measurements and material properties are not always exact.
Cubic yards or tons?
Cubic yards describe the volume of material. Tons describe its weight. Use whichever unit your supplier quotes, and keep the other value available so you can compare quantities consistently.
Ready to calculate?
Run your own project numbers here: Free Gravel Calculator or read Gravel Calculator: How Many Tons Do I Need?.
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