Gravel Calculator Guide
Gravel Driveway Calculator
Estimate how much gravel you need for a driveway, including cubic yards, tons, depth, waste allowance, and material cost.
How to calculate gravel for a driveway
To calculate driveway gravel, multiply the driveway length by its width and planned gravel depth. For imperial measurements, convert depth from inches to feet first. Then divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards.
Driveway gravel formula
Length × Width × Depth = Cubic Feet
Cubic Feet ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Cubic Yards × Tons Per Cubic Yard = Estimated Tons
Common driveway depths
Example: 100-foot gravel driveway
For a driveway that is 100 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 6 inches deep, the volume is 600 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get about 22.22 cubic yards before waste. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that is about 31.11 tons before waste.
Length
100 ft
Width
12 ft
Depth
6 in
Estimated gravel
31.11 tons
Gravel driveway cost factors
Driveway gravel cost depends on material type, driveway size, depth, delivery distance, local supplier pricing, compaction requirements, and whether you need excavation, grading, or base preparation.
- • Gravel type and density
- • Total driveway square footage
- • Gravel depth
- • Delivery fees
- • Site prep and grading
- • Compaction equipment
Recommended driveway project tools
- • Tape measure or laser distance measure
- • Landscape rake
- • Shovel
- • Wheelbarrow
- • Landscape fabric
- • Tamper or plate compactor
- • Work gloves and safety glasses
Related gravel tools
Gravel driveway FAQ
How do I calculate gravel for a driveway?
Multiply driveway length by width by depth to get volume. Convert depth from inches to feet, divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by tons per cubic yard.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A light residential gravel driveway often uses 4 to 6 inches. Heavier-use driveways, poor soil, or truck traffic may need 6 to 12 inches or a layered base.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
A common planning estimate is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, but actual weight depends on gravel type, moisture, compaction, and supplier specs.
Should I add waste to a gravel driveway estimate?
Yes. A 5% to 10% waste allowance is useful for spreading, compaction, uneven ground, and material loss.