Gravel Calculator
Work out how much gravel, crushed stone, river rock or sand you need in cubic yards, cubic feet, tons and bags, then count patio pavers and the base and bedding sand under them.
Gravel calculator
Paver calculator and paver base calculator
How to calculate gravel, stone and sand
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. A 12 × 10 ft area 3 inches deep is 30 ft³, or 1.11 cubic yards. Multiply by the material's weight per cubic yard for tons: pea gravel at about 1.4 tons per yard is 1.56 tons. Densities vary by quarry and moisture, so check your supplier's figure; add 5% to 10% for compaction on driveways and bases.
| Use | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway or garden path (pea gravel) | 2–3 in |
| Driveway (crushed stone over base) | 4–6 in total, 8–12 in on soft soil |
| Patio paver base (crusher run) | 4 in walkways, 6–8 in driveways |
| Bedding sand under pavers | 1 in |
| Sandbox (play sand) | 12 in |
Stone calculator and sand calculator
The same volume math works as a stone calculator (choose crushed stone or river rock) and sand calculator (dry or wet sand). Bagged products are often 0.5 ft³ per bag; 1 cubic yard is 54 of those bags.
Paver calculator
Pavers = area ÷ paver area × (1 + waste). A 200 sq ft patio with 4 × 8 in pavers (0.222 sq ft each) needs 900 pavers, or 990 with 10% for cuts. Under them: a 4 in compacted base (2.47 yd³) and 1 in of bedding sand (0.62 yd³).
Common questions
How much gravel do I need?
Length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 cubic yards. 12 × 10 ft at 3 in is 1.11 yd³.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons depending on stone and moisture; pea gravel about 1.4.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Usually 4 to 6 inches of stone over a compacted base; more on soft soil.
How many pavers do I need for 200 sq ft?
About 990 standard 4 × 8 in pavers including 10% waste.
How much paver base do I need?
Area × base depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27; 200 sq ft at 4 in is about 2.5 yd³.
Sources
- Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute: Installation guidelines
- Purdue Extension: Hardscape materials (estimating)
Related
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.