Pea gravel calculator for garden paths
Use your planned depth and the product’s bulk density. Decorative gravel sold in bags can be calculated from either bag volume or weight.
A practical tool for your next project
Gravel calculator.
From a garden path to a fresh driveway.
Work out your gravel in yards, tons and bags.
Your gravel estimate
Measure once.
Order with confidence.
Enter your dimensions to see cubic yards, weight and bags, with every assumption explained.
Start with an example
The calculation
How to calculate how much gravel you need
Start with the space you want to cover. Keep separate materials or driveway layers in separate estimates so each uses the right density and depth.
- Measure your space.Choose a rectangle, circle, known area or known volume. Add more areas when they will use the same material.
- Set depth and density.Enter the intended layer depth. Check the bulk density with your supplier before relying on the weight estimate.
- Take the estimate with you.Copy the quantities and assumptions, print your order summary, or share a link that restores your measurements.
Rectangle · US measurements
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 324
Feet × feet × inches → cubic yards
Read the full calculation method ↗A worked example
Gravel calculation example: 20 × 10 ft at 3 inches
With no extra allowance and a bulk density of 105 lb/ft³, here is what the calculation produces.
Try these measurements above ↑| Surface area | 200 ft² |
|---|---|
| Volume | 50 ft³ / 1.85 yd³ |
| Estimated weight | 5,250 lb / 2.63 US tons |
| 0.5 ft³ bags | 100 bags |
At a hypothetical $50 per cubic yard plus $75 delivery, the unrounded volume gives an estimated total of $167.59. This is an arithmetic example, not a local price quote.
Quick reference · US units
Gravel yards, tons and coverage charts
These tables use 105 lb/ft³, 0% extra allowance and no compaction adjustment. Bags contain 0.5 ft³. They are fixed examples; changing the calculator above does not change these tables. Use your supplier’s density for an order.
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
At this density, 1 yd³ weighs 2,835 lb, or about 1.42 US tons. A US ton is 2,000 lb.
| Volume | US tons | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 1.42 | 54 |
| 2 yd³ | 2.84 | 108 |
| 3 yd³ | 4.25 | 162 |
| 5 yd³ | 7.09 | 270 |
How much area will one ton cover?
Coverage = volume ÷ layer depth. Deeper layers cover less ground with the same amount of gravel.
| Depth | Area covered |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 114.29 ft² |
| 3 in | 76.19 ft² |
| 4 in | 57.14 ft² |
These depths illustrate the math; they are not installation recommendations.
How much gravel for 100, 200 or 500 square feet?
| Area | Depth | Volume | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 2 in | 0.62 yd³ | 34 |
| 100 ft² | 3 in | 0.93 yd³ | 50 |
| 100 ft² | 4 in | 1.23 yd³ | 67 |
| 200 ft² | 2 in | 1.23 yd³ | 67 |
| 200 ft² | 3 in | 1.85 yd³ | 100 |
| 200 ft² | 4 in | 2.47 yd³ | 134 |
| 500 ft² | 2 in | 3.09 yd³ | 167 |
| 500 ft² | 3 in | 4.63 yd³ | 250 |
| 500 ft² | 4 in | 6.17 yd³ | 334 |
Volume displays to two decimal places. Bag counts round up from the unrounded volume. Supplier bulk-order increments are not included.
Field notes
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
Compare depth and density assumptions, check two supplier references, and download our coverage chart.
Read the gravel coverage guide →Choose the right inputs
One calculator. Different gravel projects.
Gravel driveway calculator
Calculate the base and surface layer separately. Confirm grading, compacted depth and loose delivery quantities with the installer.
Crushed stone & #57 gravel
A stone size label does not specify bulk density. Use the supplier’s product data instead of assuming all crushed stone weighs the same.
Pea gravel and driveway calculation examples
Pea gravel: a 20 × 3 ft path
At an illustrative depth of 2 inches, this path needs 10 ft³, or 0.37 cubic yards. Using the Lasalle pea gravel reference of 100 lb/ft³ gives 1,000 lb (0.5 US tons), or 20 bags of 0.5 ft³. This assumes no extra allowance; the depth is an example, not an installation recommendation.
Gravel driveway cost calculator: one specified layer
A 40 × 12 ft layer at an illustrative 4 inches deep has a geometric volume of 160 ft³, or 5.93 cubic yards. At the general reference of 105 lb/ft³, that is 8.4 US tons before any extra allowance or compaction adjustment.
For a hypothetical quote of $50 per cubic yard plus $100 delivery, the unrounded volume gives $396.30. Enter your own quote in Bag & cost options; these figures are arithmetic examples, not market prices. Calculate different driveway materials separately and confirm the layer specification with your installer. Labor, equipment, taxes and minimum-order charges can add to the project cost.
Calculate your own gravel quantities ↑ · Review density sources and formulas
Before you order
Gravel questions,
answered.
The units matter. So do the assumptions.
Check our formulas & sources ↗How much gravel do I need?
Measure the surface area and multiply it by the gravel depth, using the same units. For a rectangle measured in feet and depth in inches, cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 324. Add any separately chosen extra allowance before ordering.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
It depends on bulk density. At the starting estimate of 105 lb/ft³, one cubic yard weighs 2,835 lb, or 1.4175 US short tons. Moisture, grading and material change this number. Use your supplier’s density for a better estimate.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 105 lb/ft³, one US ton covers about 114.3 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 76.2 square feet at 3 inches deep. These are geometric estimates before compaction or extra allowance.
Can I use this as a pea gravel calculator?
Yes. Enter the area and depth, then choose the sourced pea gravel reference under Material & allowance or enter your supplier’s bulk density. Bag calculations work with either the volume or weight printed on the bag.
Can this estimate a gravel driveway?
It can estimate the volume of a specified driveway layer. A driveway may need multiple materials and compacted layers. Calculate each material separately; ask your supplier or installer how compacted design depth translates to loose material delivered.
Does this calculator include compaction?
No automatic compaction factor is applied. Extra allowance is a percentage you choose for material beyond the geometric volume. It is not a universal compaction correction.
Are tons and tonnes the same?
No. US mode uses short tons of 2,000 pounds. Metric mode uses tonnes of 1,000 kilograms. Switching units converts the measurements, density and quote basis rather than just changing the labels.