Gravel Calculator
A 20 ft × 10 ft area 4 inches deep needs about 2.47 cu yd of gravel, which weighs about 3.5 tons.
Updated · US units: feet, inches, cubic yards · Built and checked by AI, which can make mistakes
Work out how much gravel you need
Result
This is an estimate. Real quantities depend on uneven ground, settling, compaction and the exact product, and bag sizes and weights vary by brand. Check the bag or ask your supplier before you buy.
Built and checked by AI. AI wrote this calculator and its explanations, researched the rates and ran the tests. AI can make mistakes, and the checks may not catch them all, so confirm anything important with an official source or a qualified professional. How we use AI.
Quick answer
A 20 ft × 10 ft area 4 inches deep needs about 2.47 cu yd of gravel, which weighs about 3.5 tons.
In Australia? Use our Australian gravel calculator, in cubic metres and litres.
How to use the gravel calculator
- Choose the shape of the area: a rectangle, a circle, or enter the area if you already know it.
- Enter the measurements in feet and the depth in inches.
- Pick the bag size you plan to buy, and change the weight if your supplier quotes a different figure, and any extra for compaction.
- Optionally open “Compare costs” to see whether bags or bulk is cheaper.
- Press Calculate to see how much you need, with the steps.
How it’s calculated
Area = length × width (sq ft), or π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for a circle
Volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Weight = volume × tons per cubic yard
Bags = cubic feet ÷ cubic feet per bag, rounded up
Worked example
Gravel for a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 inches
- Area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft.
- Volume: 200 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 = 66.67 cu ft.
- In cubic yards: 66.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd.
- Weight: 2.469 cu yd × 1.42 tons per cu yd = 3.51 tons.
- Bags: 66.67 cu ft ÷ 0.5 cu ft per bag = 133.33, rounded up to 134 bags.
How much does gravel weigh?
Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons), so it helps to know both. Dry gravel weighs about 105 lb per cubic foot, or about 1.42 tons per cubic yard, according to Engineering ToolBox. Crushed stone, damp gravel and stone with a lot of fine material can be heavier, so ask your supplier for the weight of the exact product and change the figure in the calculator.
When you’d actually use a gravel calculator
- Laying a path or patio base. Get the volume and weight before you call a supplier.
- Checking a delivery quote. Suppliers quote by the ton or cubic yard, so having both helps you compare.
- Planning how to move it. Know the weight before you load a pickup or trailer.
What this calculator doesn’t include
- Irregular shapes. Split the area into rectangles and circles and add the results.
- A set compaction rate. Use the optional compaction field with the figure your supplier recommends.
- Delivery fees, minimum orders and local prices, which vary by supplier.
How we calculate
Area comes from your measurements. Volume is area × depth ÷ 12, converted to cubic yards by dividing by 27. Weight uses 1.42 tons per cubic yard unless you enter your own figure, from Engineering ToolBox’s density for dry gravel. If you enter a compaction allowance, we add that percentage to the volume before working out the weight and bags. We calculate at full precision and round only for display. Bag counts are rounded up to whole bags.
Sources:
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Dry gravel weighs about 1.42 tons per cubic yard (105 lb per cubic foot), according to Engineering ToolBox. Crushed stone and wet gravel can weigh more.
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Work out the volume from the length, width and depth, then multiply by the weight per cubic yard. A 20 × 10 ft area 4 inches deep is about 2.47 cubic yards, or about 3.5 tons.
Should I order extra gravel?
Many people add a little extra for uneven ground and compaction. Ask your supplier how much to allow for the product and the job.