Gravel / Fill Calculator
Calculate how much gravel or fill material you need in cubic yards or cubic meters, plus estimated weight in tons.
Supports imperial and metric units.
Gravel volume is calculated in cubic yards or cubic meters, then converted to tons using the material’s density. Getting this right prevents under-ordering (costly delivery gaps) or over-ordering (expensive waste).
Volume Formula:
Volume (cu yd) = (Length × Width × Depth) / 27
Dimensions in feet; divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
Weight Formula:
Tons = Volume (cu yd) × Density (tons/cu yd)
Common gravel densities:
| Material | Tons per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.4 |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.45 |
| Decomposed granite | 1.5 |
| Dense-grade aggregate | 1.5 |
| Sand | 1.35 |
Worked example — driveway: Driveway: 60 ft long × 12 ft wide × 4 inches deep (0.33 ft) Volume = (60 × 12 × 0.33) / 27 = 237.6 / 27 = 8.8 cu yd Material: Crushed stone #57 (1.45 tons/cu yd) Weight = 8.8 × 1.45 = 12.8 tons → order 14 tons (add 10% waste)
Depth guidelines:
- Walkways and paths: 2–3 inches
- Driveways (new): 4–6 inches
- Driveways (top-dressing): 2–3 inches
- French drains: 6–12 inches
- Landscaping/garden beds: 2–3 inches
Practical notes:
- Always add 10–15% to your calculation to account for compaction and spreading waste
- Crushed stone compacts 10–15% after settling, so account for this in depth estimates
- Gravel is sold by the ton at quarries and by the bag at hardware stores — the per-ton price at quarries is typically 60–80% cheaper for quantities over 5 tons