Gravel Calculator
Estimate rectangular gravel volume in cubic yards and metres, plus weight from an editable supplier density.
Content updated August 5, 2026
Rectangular volume only. Weight depends entirely on the entered bulk density; confirm aggregate type, moisture, compaction, delivery minimums, and safe load limits with the supplier.
Estimate loose gravel for a rectangular driveway, path, drainage bed, or base from measured length, width, and finished depth. Plan dimensions and depth can use different units, such as feet and inches or metres and centimetres.
The calculator keeps geometric volume separate from an editable allowance, then estimates weight from a bulk density you enter. That separation matters because aggregate gradation, moisture, void space, and compaction can change the weight of the same apparent volume.
The Gravel formula
Net volume = length × width × depth · order volume = net volume × (1 + allowance% ÷ 100) · weight = order volume × entered bulk densityAll dimensions are converted before multiplication · short tons = pounds ÷ 2,000 · metric tonnes = pounds × 0.45359237 ÷ 1,000.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft area at 3 in deep has 50 ft³ of net volume. With 10% allowance, plan for 55 ft³ or about 2.037 yd³. At an entered density of 100 lb/ft³, the weight estimate is 5,500 lb or 2.75 short tons.
Assumptions, rounding, and limitations
Assumptions
- The measured footprint is a rectangle with a uniform average finished depth.
- The entered allowance is applied directly to net geometric volume.
- The entered bulk density represents the exact aggregate and condition being estimated.
- A U.S. short ton is 2,000 avoirdupois pounds.
Rounding: Calculations retain full floating-point precision. Displayed volume and weight use up to three decimals; no delivery increment is rounded automatically.
Limitations
- Does not infer aggregate type, moisture, gradation, compaction, settlement, excavation, subgrade, slope, delivery minimums, truck capacity, or load limits.
- The weight result is only as reliable as the entered supplier density and should not replace a supplier quote or transport safety check.
Sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.9: Conversion Factors — National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Effectiveness of Highway Edgedrains — Final Report — U.S. Geological Survey
Volume is geometric; weight needs a real density
Length multiplied by width gives plan area, and multiplying by finished depth gives net volume. The allowance is applied only after that geometry, so the net and order quantities remain visible instead of being silently combined.
A USGS roadway study reported different bulk densities for compacted aggregate subbase and explains that density depends on solids, specific gravity, and void space. Use a density from the supplier for the exact gravel and condition rather than treating the editable 100 lb/ft³ example as a standard.
Measure the finished layer, then plan delivery separately
Use average finished depth when the grade varies, or divide the project into rectangles with different depths and calculate them separately. The calculator does not infer excavation, subgrade correction, or compaction from a loose delivery pile.
Bulk suppliers may sell by cubic yard, short ton, metric tonne, truck load, or a minimum increment. Compare the displayed order volume and weight estimate with the supplier's own conversion and delivery rules before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
▶How do I calculate gravel volume?
Convert length, width, and depth to compatible units, multiply them, then apply any explicit volume allowance. This calculator reports both the net geometric volume and the volume including allowance.
▶How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet because one yard is exactly three feet and volume cubes the length conversion.
▶How does the calculator convert gravel to tons?
It multiplies order volume in cubic feet by the bulk density you enter in pounds per cubic foot, then divides pounds by 2,000 for U.S. short tons.
▶What gravel density should I enter?
Use the supplier's value for the exact aggregate, gradation, moisture, and state being sold. The default is an editable example, not a universal gravel density.
▶Does the estimate include compaction?
Only through the allowance and density you choose. The calculator does not predict a compaction factor, settlement, site loss, or loose-versus-compacted supplier conversion.
Related calculators
Estimate rectangular slab volume, ready-mix allowance, and whole bags from package-specific yield.
Open calculator →Calculate the total square footage of one or more equal rectangles with exact metric conversions.
Open calculator →Estimate mulch volume for a rectangular bed and whole bags from the labeled package volume.
Open calculator →Disclaimer: Gravel Calculator results are estimates for general information and education only, and are not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.