Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards, Volume & Cost
Estimate the gravel volume for a rectangular area from its length, width, and planned depth. See cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters. Add your supplier's price per volume unit for an optional material cost estimate.
How much gravel do you need?
For a rectangular area with a uniform depth. Use the depth appropriate for your project; this calculator does not choose a construction specification.
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Estimated gravel volume
- Volume in cubic feet
- Volume in cubic meters
Estimated material cost
Geometric volume only. No allowance for compaction, uneven ground, waste, or supplier order increments. Cost uses the unrounded volume and excludes delivery, labor, and taxes. Volumes display up to four decimal places; amounts below 0.0001 are labeled accordingly. Confirm your order with your supplier.
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How to calculate gravel in cubic yards
Measure the length and width in feet and the planned gravel depth in inches. Convert the depth to feet, calculate the volume, then divide cubic feet by 27.
Cubic yards = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 324
For example, an area 12 feet long and 9 feet wide at a depth of 3 inches needs 27 cubic feet, or 1 cubic yard, before any project-specific allowance. At $60 per cubic yard, the estimated material cost is $60.
Metric gravel volume formula
Cubic meters = length (m) x width (m) x depth (cm) / 100
An area 10 meters long and 2 meters wide with a 5-centimeter layer has a volume of 1 cubic meter, approximately 1.308 cubic yards. These dimensions illustrate the formula; they are not a recommended installation depth.
Gravel coverage at different depths
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Spread evenly, it covers the following approximate areas before compaction or other allowances:
| Layer depth | Area per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 square feet |
| 3 inches | 108 square feet |
| 4 inches | 81 square feet |
| 6 inches | 54 square feet |
Pea gravel and crushed gravel
The same length, width, and depth formula estimates the geometric volume of pea gravel or crushed gravel. Material type matters when converting that volume into weight, estimating compaction, or deciding which product is appropriate for a project.
This tool does not apply a universal density. For an order sold by weight, ask the supplier for the conversion for the specific product and condition.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator estimate tons of gravel?
No. Volume alone does not determine weight. Bulk density varies with material, particle size, moisture, and how it is packed. A US short ton is also different from a metric tonne. Confirm the conversion and unit with your supplier.
How do I estimate gravel cost?
Multiply the required volume by the supplier's price for the same volume unit. For 2 cubic yards at $60 per cubic yard, material cost is $120. This calculator allows a price per cubic yard, cubic foot, or cubic meter. It does not convert prices per ton or per bag.
Should I order extra for compaction or waste?
The result contains no added allowance. Ask your supplier or installer how loose delivered volume relates to your specified finished layer, and whether uneven ground, handling losses, or minimum order quantities affect the order. There is no single allowance suitable for every project.
Can I calculate an irregular area?
This version supports rectangles only. Divide a suitable area into non-overlapping rectangles and calculate each separately, then add the volumes. Curved or sloped areas may require different measurements or professional advice.
What happens when I change measurement systems?
The dimension fields clear so that feet are not accidentally reused as meters. Enter the dimensions again in the selected units. The optional price keeps its explicitly selected unit.
Which inputs are supported?
Enter positive dimensions with up to four decimal places. Length and width can be up to 10,000 in their displayed units, and depth up to 1,000. The optional price can be from $0 to $1,000,000 per selected volume unit. A decimal point or comma is accepted; do not use thousands separators.
HandyMetric provides general estimation tools, not engineering or installation advice. Check measurements, product requirements, and purchasing quantities with your supplier or installer.
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