WorldCalcs

Soil & Gravel Calculator

How much gravel, stone or soil do I need? Volume and weight.

Reviewed by the WorldCalcs team · Methodology · Last reviewed: June 2026

Gravel needed

1.85 cu yd

Cubic feet
50.00 cu ft
Cubic meters
1.42 m³
Weight (US tons)
2.59 tons
Weight (metric tonnes)
2.35 t

Assumes a typical gravel density of 1.4 US tons per cubic yard (about 1.66 t/m³). Actual weight varies by material and moisture.

Estimates only — weight depends on material and moisture, and ground is rarely perfectly even. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering. See our full disclaimer.

What is a gravel calculator?

A gravel calculator estimates how much gravel, crushed stone or soil you need to fill an area to a chosen depth. You enter the length, width and depth, and it returns the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet plus the approximate weight in tons — useful because gravel is often sold and delivered by weight. The same volume math works for topsoil, sand and similar bulk landscaping materials.

How it's calculated

Gravel is a volume, so the base formula is area times depth: volume (cubic feet) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft). Depth in inches is divided by 12 to get feet, and cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards. To estimate weight, the volume in cubic yards is multiplied by the material's density. This calculator uses a typical gravel density of about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard. Because real density depends on the stone type and how wet it is, treat the weight as an estimate.

Example

For an area 20 feet by 10 feet filled 3 inches deep: volume is 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, or 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. At 1.4 US tons per cubic yard that is about 1.85 × 1.4 = 2.59 US tons, which is roughly 2.35 metric tonnes. Order a little extra to allow for settling and uneven ground.

Related: Mulch Calculator, Square Footage Calculator, Concrete Calculator.

All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is sent, stored, or tracked.

Results are estimates and may contain errors — for general information only, not professional advice. Always verify before relying on them. Disclaimer

How to use

Pick imperial (feet, inches) or metric (meters, centimeters). Enter the length and width of the area and the depth. The result shows cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters of material, plus an estimated weight in US tons and metric tonnes based on a typical gravel density.

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel do I need?+

Measure the length and width of the area and choose a depth — about 2 inches for paths and 3 to 4 inches for driveways. Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to estimate tons.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?+

A cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 US tons, or about 2,800 pounds. The exact weight depends on the stone size and moisture, and can range from about 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard.

How much area does a ton of gravel cover?+

About one ton covers roughly 116 square feet at 2 inches deep, 77 square feet at 3 inches, and 58 square feet at 4 inches. Spread deeper and a ton covers less ground.

How deep should gravel be?+

Use about 2 inches for walkways and decorative beds, and 3 to 4 inches for driveways or high-traffic areas. For driveways, several layers over a compacted base last longer than one deep layer.

How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?+

At a typical density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards. To go from tons to cubic yards, divide the tons by 1.4.

Does this work for soil and sand too?+

Yes. The volume math is the same for topsoil, sand and crushed stone. Only the weight changes, because each material has a different density — so the volume figures are reliable while the weight is a gravel-based estimate.

How much gravel do I need for a driveway?+

Measure the driveway's length and width and use a depth of 3 to 4 inches. For example, a 30 by 10 foot driveway at 4 inches is 30 × 10 × 0.333 = 100 cubic feet, about 3.7 cubic yards or roughly 5.2 tons.

How do I convert cubic yards to tons of gravel?+

Multiply the cubic yards by about 1.4 to get US tons. To go the other way, divide the tons by 1.4 to get cubic yards.

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