What is the Gravel Coverage Area Calculator?
This calculator estimates how much gravel you need to cover a given area at a chosen depth. It returns the volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, and the weight in tons, so you can order the right amount of material for driveways, paths, patios, drainage beds, and landscaping projects.
How to use it
Enter the area you want to cover in square feet, the desired depth of gravel in inches, and the density of your gravel in tons per cubic yard. Most crushed stone and gravel weighs between 1.3 and 1.5 tons per cubic yard; check with your supplier for an exact figure. Press calculate to see the volume and tonnage required.
The formula explained
First the depth is converted from inches to feet by dividing by 12. Volume in cubic feet equals area times depth in feet. Since gravel is sold by the cubic yard, divide cubic feet by 27 (there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard). Finally, multiply the cubic yards by the density to get the weight in tons.
$$\text{Tons} = \frac{\text{Area (sq ft)} \times \dfrac{\text{Depth (in)}}{12}}{27} \times \text{Density (t/yd}^3\text{)}$$where
$$\left\{ \begin{aligned} V_{ft^3} &= \text{Area} \times \dfrac{\text{Depth}}{12} \\ V_{yd^3} &= \dfrac{V_{ft^3}}{27} \end{aligned} \right.$$
Worked example
Suppose you cover 200 sq ft at 2 inches deep with gravel weighing 1.4 t/yd³. Depth in feet = \(2/12 = 0.1667\) ft. Volume = \(200 \times 0.1667 = 33.33\) ft³. In cubic yards = \(33.33 / 27 = 1.235\) yd³. Tons = \(1.235 \times 1.4 = 1.728\) tons.
FAQ
What density should I use? A typical value for pea gravel or crushed stone is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Wet or compacted gravel weighs more.
Should I order extra? Yes — add roughly 5–10% to account for compaction and uneven ground.
Can I use this for sand or topsoil? Yes, just enter the correct density for that material.
