Gravel / Fill Calculator
Calculate gravel volume, weight in tons, and estimated cost.
Pick from pea gravel, crushed stone, decomposed granite, sand.
Imperial or metric.
Gravel volume is calculated as length × width × depth, then converted to weight using the material’s density. Most quarries sell by the ton, so converting from cubic yards to tons is the practical part. Getting this right prevents costly under-delivery (truck has to come back) or over-ordering (paying for material you’ll never use).
Volume Formula
Volume (cu yd) = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
The 27 is because a cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3).
Weight Formula
Tons = Volume (cu yd) × Density (tons/cu yd)
Density depends on the material. Pea gravel is light and rounded; crushed stone is heavier and angular. Compacted dense-grade aggregate (DGA) is the heaviest of the common options.
Density Reference (Tons per Cubic Yard)
| Material | tons/cu yd | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | Walkways, drainage, decorative |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.45 | Driveways, French drains, base layer |
| Decomposed granite | 1.50 | Pathways, patios |
| Dense-grade aggregate (DGA) | 1.55 | Compacted driveway base |
| Sand | 1.35 | Paver base, drainage |
| River rock | 1.45 | Decorative, drainage |
Worked Example — Driveway
60 ft long × 12 ft wide × 4 inches (0.33 ft) deep, crushed stone (#57):
- Volume = (60 × 12 × 0.33) ÷ 27 = 237.6 ÷ 27 = 8.8 cu yd
- Weight = 8.8 × 1.45 = 12.8 tons
- With 10% extra for spreading and compaction: 14 tons
- Cost at $30/ton: $420
Depth Guidelines
- Walkways and paths: 2 to 3 inches
- Driveways (new install): 4 to 6 inches (use 6 over soft soil)
- Driveways (top-dressing existing): 2 to 3 inches
- French drains: 6 to 12 inches around the pipe
- Paver base: 4 inches of compacted base, then 1 inch of sand on top
- Landscaping beds: 2 to 3 inches
Practical Notes
- Always add 10 to 15% to your calculation. Spreading wastes some, compaction reduces depth, and the truck rarely delivers exactly what was ordered.
- Crushed stone compacts 10 to 15% after settling. If you want a final 4-inch depth, install 4.5 to 5 inches.
- Bag prices vs bulk: A 0.5 cu ft bag of pea gravel runs $5 to $7 at hardware stores. The same volume from a quarry runs about $1. For anything over half a cubic yard, bulk is dramatically cheaper.
- Delivery: Quarries typically charge $50 to $150 per delivery. Order enough to make the trip worthwhile.