How do I calculate tons of gravel from area and depth?
Volume = area × compacted depth. Estimated tons = cubic yards × selected density; the order recommendation rounds up to a practical increment.
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Gravel calculator
Estimate gravel volume, weight, and purchase allowance for drives, paths, or fill areas.
- Metric and imperial units
- Instant updates as inputs change
- Data is calculated in this browser only
Results are planning estimates. Confirm site dimensions, product specifications, and installation waste before purchasing.
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Calculation notes
Understand the Gravel calculator
Area multiplied by depth gives gravel volume. Cubic yards are multiplied by the selected material density to estimate tons; the suggested order rounds up to a half-ton increment.
How much gravel covers a 30 by 10 ft driveway at 4 in deep?
A 30 × 10 ft drive at 4 in deep needs about 3.70 cu yd. At 1.4 tons/cu yd, that is about 5.2 tons before additional compaction allowance.
Should gravel depth be entered as loose or compacted depth?
- Ask whether the supplier sells by scale weight or loader volume.
- Clarify whether entered depth is loose or compacted depth.
Why do moisture, density, and compaction change gravel tonnage?
- Compaction, moisture, and aggregate grading change actual weight.
- U.S. suppliers may quote by ton or cubic yard; confirm their sales unit.
- Moisture, gradation, material density, compaction, and uneven subgrade change tonnage.
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