Gravel calculator
Estimate cubic yards and tons from your measurements.
How the gravel estimate works
Measure each area, choose a layer depth, and add the volumes together. Use separate calculations for different materials or layers.
Volume = area × depth (use matching units)
For a compacted finished depth, enter your supplier’s compaction factor. Any extra allowance is added once. Weight depends on the gravel’s loose bulk density, so tons and weight-based prices may be a range.
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in deep = 50 ft³ ≈ 1.85 yd³, before allowance or order rounding. See formulas and assumptions.
Compare bagged and bulk quotes with the same order amount
Bagged material can make sense for a small pickup or a project completed in stages. Bulk can look less expensive per unit, but a delivery fee, a minimum order, and an order increment can change the amount you actually buy. Start by calculating one material amount, then apply each supplier’s quoted rules to that same amount.
One measured amount, before comparing quotes
Suppose a loose-placed layer measures 20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in. That is 200 ft² × 3/12 ft = 50 ft³. This example uses a 10% extra allowance, so the order amount is 50 × 1.10 = 55 ft³, or 55 ÷ 27 = 2.037 yd³. The compaction factor is 1.0 here because the depth is already loose placed; if the 3 in target is a finished compacted depth, use the supplier’s loose-to-compacted factor before adding any allowance.
Both hypothetical quotes use volume, so density does not change their totals. A supplier who quotes by short ton or metric tonne needs the loose bulk density for the exact material and the exact weight unit. The calculator keeps that density as a range instead of treating it as a universal gravel value.
On a narrow screen, scroll the table to see the full calculation and total.
| Option | Hypothetical quote inputs | Order quantity | Reproducible calculation | Hypothetical delivered total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk delivery | $50 per yd³ + $60 delivery; 2 yd³ minimum; 0.5 yd³ order increment | 2.5 yd³ | ceil(max(2.037, 2) ÷ 0.5) × 0.5 = 2.5 yd³; 2.5 × $50 + $60 | $185 |
| Bagged material | 0.5 ft³ per bag; $6 per bag + $20 delivery | 110 bags | ceil(55 ÷ 0.5) = 110 bags; 110 × $6 + $20 | $680 |
The lower hypothetical total comes from these chosen inputs, not from a general rule that bulk is always cheaper. Check whether both quotes cover the same material, include the same delivery conditions, and use the same loose or compacted basis. Tax, site access, labor, and charges that are not entered are outside this comparison.
To run your own comparison, open Compare bulk & bag quantities or costs in the calculator above. Enter the quoted unit, minimum order, increment, price, and delivery fee for bulk; then enter bag size, bag price, and bag delivery. Keep the measurement, compaction factor, allowance, density, and units aligned with the supplier’s quote. Read the methodology for the calculation and rounding rules.
Practical planning guides
Cubic yards to tons calculator
Convert known volume with your supplier’s loose bulk density range.
Pea gravel calculator
Calculate several areas, whole bags, and optional purchase costs in one place.
Driveway layer calculators
Estimate base and optional surface materials without mixing their assumptions or quotes.