Gravel Calculator
Gravel, sand, topsoil and mulch volume & weight.
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Estimate how much gravel, sand, topsoil, or mulch a project needs. Enter the area and the depth you want, and this calculator returns the volume in cubic yards plus the weight in tons, using typical densities for each material.
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How Much Gravel? — The Quick Answer
Volume = area × depth. Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27. Gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so a 20 × 10 ft driveway at 3 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards — roughly 2.6 tons.
Shortcut
Volume (cu yd) = (length × width × depth) ÷ 27 | Weight = volume × density
Typical densities by material
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.4 | 105 |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 101 |
| Sand | 1.35 | 101 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 | 82 |
| Mulch | 0.4 | 30 |
A common rule of thumb is one cubic yard of gravel covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep.
How It Works
The Formulas
Volume, then weight
Formula
Volume = L × W × D Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 Weight (tons) = cubic yards × density
Variables
Length, width, depth
The area to cover and how deep. Keep units consistent — depth is converted to feet internally.
Cubic feet per cubic yard
Bulk materials are usually sold by the cubic yard, and 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
Material density
Tons per cubic yard, which varies by material — gravel is about 1.4, mulch only about 0.4.
Note: These densities are typical dry values. Wet sand or gravel is heavier; loose mulch is lighter. If you're near a quantity boundary, order slightly more.
Worked Example: A 20 × 10 ft Area, 3 Inches Deep
From area to cubic yards and tons
Convert depth to feet
3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
Multiply area × depth
20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cu ft
Convert to cubic yards (÷ 27)
50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cu yd
Convert to tons (× density)
1.85 × 1.4 ≈ 2.6 tons of gravel
Reference Guide
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.4 | 105 |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 101 |
| Sand | 1.35 | 101 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 | 82 |
| Mulch | 0.4 | 30 |
Depth, Density & Ordering Extra
Turning volume into the right order
A decorative surface needs about 2–3 inches, a path or patio base 3–4, and a driveway that takes vehicles typically 4–6 inches of compacted gravel, often over a sub-base. Decide depth first, then calculate.
Best for: Choosing the right depth before ordering
Density varies a lot: gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand 1.35, topsoil 1.1, mulch only 0.4. You can't use one 'tons per yard' figure for everything — pick the material so weight and volume line up.
Best for: Converting between weight and volume correctly
Loose material compacts when laid and spreads past tidy edges, and wet material weighs more per volume, so add about 5–10%. It's cheaper than coming up short mid-job.
Best for: Avoiding a second delivery
How to Estimate Gravel, Sand, and Topsoil
Bulk landscaping materials are sold two different ways — by weight (tons) or by volume (cubic yards) — and the bridge between them is density. The method is always the same: multiply the area by the depth to get the volume, convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27, then multiply by the material's density to get the weight. Gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, but sand, topsoil, and mulch differ, so the material matters. Decide the depth from the job (2–3 inches decorative, 4–6 for a driveway), and order about 5–10% extra for compaction and settling. This calculator does the volume-and-weight conversion for several materials.
Key Features
💡 Pro Tips
- →Choose the material before calculating — density differs enough that gravel and mulch give very different tonnages for the same volume.
- →Order about 5–10% extra to allow for compaction and spreading past edges.
- →Wet sand or gravel weighs more per volume than dry, so if you buy by weight, damp material covers a little less.
- →A common rule of thumb: one cubic yard of gravel covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
Common Mistakes
Using one density for every material
Mulch is less than a third the weight of gravel per cubic yard. Applying gravel's density to mulch (or vice versa) badly misestimates the order.
Forgetting to convert depth to feet
Depth is usually in inches while area is in feet. Multiplying area by inches instead of feet overstates the volume twelvefold.
Ordering exactly the calculated volume
Material compacts and settles, and some is lost spreading. Without a 5–10% margin you risk running short before the job's done.
Research & Citations
Sources and standards referenced for the factual claims on this page
- [1]
Mineral Products Association (2023). Aggregate density and usage guidance. mineralproducts.org.
Typical densities and uses of aggregates.
View source - [2]
US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (2022). Aggregate base course densities and depth guidance. fhwa.dot.gov.
Reference densities and base-course depths for aggregates.
View source
This calculator is a reference tool, not a substitute for professional advice. Verify important health, financial, legal, or safety decisions with a suitably qualified professional.
Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply length × width × depth to get the volume, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft area at 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep is 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cu ft, or about 1.85 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
About 1.4 tons (roughly 2,800 lb) for typical gravel or crushed stone. Sand and pea gravel are similar at about 1.35 tons, while mulch is much lighter at around 0.4 tons per cubic yard.
How deep should gravel be?
For a decorative surface, 2–3 inches is enough. For a driveway that takes vehicles, 4–6 inches of compacted gravel is more typical, often over a base layer. Set the depth to suit the load.
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the material. Gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand about 1.35, topsoil about 1.1, and mulch only about 0.4. Always use the density for your specific material.