Gravel Calculator — How Much Gravel Do I Need?

Your Gravel Project Guide

Gravel is one of the most versatile landscaping materials, used for everything from driveways and walkways to drainage beds and decorative ground cover. Getting the right amount is important because gravel is heavy and expensive to over-order, but running short mid-project means waiting for another delivery. This gravel calculator converts your area dimensions and desired depth into cubic yards, tons, and bag counts so you can order with confidence.

The depth you need depends entirely on the application. For decorative ground cover around plants or between stepping stones, 1 to 2 inches is plenty. Walkways and patios typically need 2 to 3 inches for a stable surface. Driveways require 4 to 6 inches — and ideally in layers, with larger crushed stone (#3 or #4) as a base and smaller gravel (#57 or pea gravel) on top. Drainage beds behind retaining walls or around French drains need 6 to 12 inches of clean, angular stone.

Choosing the right type of gravel makes a big difference. Crushed stone (angular, jagged pieces) locks together and forms a stable, compact surface — it's the best choice for driveways and structural base layers. Pea gravel (smooth, rounded stones about 3/8 inch) is comfortable underfoot and popular for walkways, patios, and play areas, but it shifts more easily and needs edging to stay in place. River rock (1 to 3 inch smooth stones) is purely decorative and works beautifully in dry creek beds and garden borders.

When ordering bulk gravel, most suppliers sell by the cubic yard or by the ton. This calculator gives you both numbers because different suppliers use different units. Keep in mind that gravel weight varies by type — crushed stone runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, while river rock is closer to 1.5 tons. Moisture content can add 5 to 10 percent to the delivered weight, so don't be alarmed if your delivery weighs slightly more than estimated.

For small projects, bagged gravel from a home improvement store is convenient but significantly more expensive per cubic yard. If you need more than a cubic yard or two, bulk delivery is almost always the better value. Many landscape supply yards have a 2 to 3 cubic yard minimum for delivery.

Pro tip: always lay landscape fabric before spreading gravel. Without it, gravel slowly sinks into the soil and weeds push through from below. Use a heavy-duty woven fabric (not the thin stuff) and overlap seams by at least 6 inches. Steel landscape edging or plastic edging along the borders keeps your gravel contained and your edges crisp for years.