Gravel calculator
Area, depth and density: you get the gravel volume with waste, its weight, and how many 1-ton bulk bags or 55 lb bags to buy.
Purchase quantity
1.05 m³
Net measurement: 1 m³ · Waste 5 %
- Gravel in 1 t bulk bags2 bulk bag
- Gravel weight1.68 t
- Gravel in 25 kg bags68 bag
Your prices per language/currency. Used when you enable “Use my prices” in calculators. My prices →
How it's calculated (visible formula)
volume = area × depth × (1 + waste); tons = volume × density
- Net geometric measurement, no waste.
- Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
- Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).
How to calculate it, step by step
- Measure the area to cover.
- Pick a depth for the use (decorative, path or driveway).
- Multiply area by depth and add 5% waste.
- Convert to tons with the bulk density (100 lb/ft³ default).
- Choose bulk bags or 50 lb bags depending on quantity and access.
Recommended gravel depth
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Beds and decorative | 1–2 in |
| Footpaths | 2 in |
| Driveway top layer | 2–3 in over 4–6 in road base |
Worked example: 215 sq ft patio, 2 in deep
- 215 sq ft × 2 in ≈ 1.33 yd³; +5% → 1.4 yd³
- 1.4 yd³ × 2,700 lb ≈ 3,700 lb (1.85 tons)
→ 2 one-ton bulk bags, or about 68 bags of 55 lb.
Common mistakes
- Buying bags for more than a cubic yard — bulk is far cheaper.
- Not compacting the base, so gravel sinks and needs topping up.
- Using round river rock on driveways: it rolls and migrates.
Pro tips
- On driveways, lay gravel over compacted road base — never straight on soil.
- Use angular crushed stone for traffic; round river rock rolls.
- Install edging so gravel doesn't creep into the lawn.
- Rake and top up ½ in a year in high-traffic areas.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- How many 50 lb bags make a cubic yard?
- About 54 bags at 2,700 lb per yard.
- What gravel for a driveway?
- Crushed ¾–1½ in stone over compacted road base; angular stone locks together.
- Should I lay landscape fabric?
- Yes — it keeps weeds down and stops gravel mixing into soil.
- How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
- About 120–130 sq ft at 2 in deep.
- What size gravel for a walkway?
- ⅜ in pea gravel is comfortable; ¾ in crushed stone moves less.
- Can I put gravel over plastic?
- Use landscape fabric instead so water drains and doesn't puddle.
Sources and standards
Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.