Gravel calculator
Estimate cubic yards, tons, truckloads, delivery allowance, material range, labor range, and installed total for gravel areas or layered driveways.
Home Project Estimates
Gravel calculator
May 9, 2026
30 ft by 10 ft area, 3.0 in deep.
Shopping list
- crushed stone4.5 tons
- Landscape fabric, edging, compactor rentalAs needed
- Truckload planning1 truckload at 10.0 tons per load
- DeliveryConfirm minimum load and drop location
Assumptions
- 27 cu ft per cubic yard
- 10% waste and compaction buffer
- 1.45 tons per cubic yard
- Truckload conversion uses 10.0 tons per load
- U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing
Planning estimate only. Not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.
Calculator setup
30 ft by 10 ft area, 3.0 in deep.
Shopping list
- crushed stone4.5 tons
- Landscape fabric, edging, compactor rentalAs needed
- Truckload planning1 truckload at 10.0 tons per load
- DeliveryConfirm minimum load and drop location
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Shared links include the current inputs and unit setting. Saved estimates stay local unless you enable Google Drive sync.
Assumptions in this estimate
- 27 cu ft per cubic yard
- 10% waste and compaction buffer
- 1.45 tons per cubic yard
- Truckload conversion uses 10.0 tons per load
- U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing
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What this calculator estimates
This gravel calculator starts from the measurements and options you enter, then estimates material quantity, waste, cost ranges, labor ranges, and a starter shopping list.
Results adapt to the selected region and unit settings, so the estimate is not locked to one market or measurement system.
Report confusing results, missing options, or assumptions that look off.
How this is calculated
- Area is length x width.
- Volume is area x gravel depth converted from inches to feet.
- Driveway mode estimates sub-base, base, and top layers separately, then combines them.
- Tons are estimated from cubic yards using a material-specific density factor.
- Truckloads round up from total tons using the truckload size you enter.
Assumption register
| Item | Low | Typical | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume conversion | 27 | 27 | 27 | Standard U.S. volume conversion Checked 2026-06-21 · high confidence |
| Aggregate density | 1.25 | 1.45 | 1.65 | Landscape gravel planning benchmark Checked 2026-06-21 · medium confidence |
| Bulk gravel price | 18 | 40 | 100 | Homewyse landscape gravel installed benchmark Checked 2026-06-21 · low confidence |
Last reviewed: May 9, 2026. These values are planning defaults, not live prices.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting compaction and waste.
- Skipping base prep, landscape fabric, edging, or drainage.
- Ordering by cubic yard when the supplier quotes by ton without converting density.
- Using one driveway depth when the project really has separate sub-base, base, and top layers.
FAQ
Should gravel be ordered by ton or cubic yard?
Suppliers use both. This calculator shows tons and cubic yards so you can compare.
When should you use driveway layers?
Use driveway layers when the project has a compacted sub-base, base course, and top layer instead of one uniform depth.
How deep should gravel be?
Decorative areas may use a few inches, while driveways often need layered base material and compaction.
Does this include delivery?
A broad delivery allowance is included in DIY material total, but local minimums and dump location matter.
Can this gravel calculator estimate cost by region?
Yes. The calculator uses the selected region and unit settings to adapt quantities, cost ranges, labor ranges, and assumptions.
How should you use the result before buying materials?
Use the result as a planning estimate, then compare it with a current supplier cart, contractor quote, or local project conditions before committing.
Limitations
This calculator does not design a driveway base, drainage plan, or retaining edge. Compaction, subgrade, and local supplier conversions matter.
This estimate is for planning only. It is not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.
Next step
Measure once more, compare the result with a real quote or shopping cart, and review the assumptions before buying materials.
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