Gravel estimate
Enter measurements to calculate volume.
Compare supplier quotes
Enter actual rates, minimum billable quantities and delivery fees. A per-ton quote requires supplier density.
Driveway planning guides
How to measure an irregular gravel driveway · Gravel cost per ton vs. cubic yard
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length and width in feet by depth in inches, then divide by 12 for cubic feet. Apply any extra allowance. Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, or multiply by bulk density and divide by 2,000 for US short tons.
Example: A 20 × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep needs 50 ft³, or about 1.85 yd³. Using an illustrative density of 100 lb/ft³, that is 2.5 US tons before allowance. Confirm density and order increments with your supplier.
Only need volume? Use the Cubic Yards Calculator.
How do you convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by 27 and by the supplier’s bulk density in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000 for US short tons. For example, 2 cubic yards at an illustrative 100 lb/ft³ is 2.7 US tons. At 110 lb/ft³, the same volume is 2.97 tons.
How much gravel for a 40 × 10 ft driveway?
At a 3-inch depth, the driveway needs 100 cubic feet, or about 3.70 cubic yards, before allowance. At an illustrative 100 lb/ft³, the estimated order weight is 5 US tons. Enter your actual depth and the supplier’s density when pricing the order.
What to confirm with your supplier
- Ask whether the quote is per cubic yard or per US short ton.
- Confirm the bulk density for the specific gravel you selected. Use the supplier’s figure in the calculator.
- Ask how they round orders, what the delivery minimum is, and whether the quoted quantity is loose or assumes compaction.
Gravel driveway calculator for sections with different depths
Measure the main driveway, apron and turnaround separately when their depths differ. Enter each piece once. A 20 × 10 ft rectangle at 3 inches needs 50 cubic feet. A separate triangular apron with a 10 ft base and an 8 ft perpendicular height at 6 inches adds 20 cubic feet. The combined order estimate is 70 cubic feet, or about 2.16 cubic yards before allowance.
Do I need gravel density to calculate cubic yards?
You can calculate cubic yards from dimensions alone. To estimate US short tons, enter the supplier’s bulk density in pounds per cubic foot. If the supplier quotes in pounds per cubic yard, divide that figure by 27 before entering it. For example, 2,700 lb/yd³ equals 100 lb/ft³. Ask whether the density refers to loose or compacted material.
Compare the delivered price of two gravel quotes
Enter each supplier’s billing unit, unit price, minimum billed quantity and delivery fee. A 2.5-ton requirement with a 3-ton billing minimum is priced on 3 tons. Ask whether that means the supplier delivers 3 tons or only bills for 3. Confirm taxes and rounding increments separately, since the comparison uses the figures you enter.
What to send to the gravel supplier
Include the material name, volume, estimated weight if available, access restrictions and delivery location. Ask the supplier to confirm the order unit before paying. A quote in metric tonnes uses a different unit from the US short tons shown here.