10×40 ft path at 3 in (default)
Input
10 ft × 40 ft × 3 inOutput
100 cu ft · 3.70 cu yd400 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 12 = 100 cu ft. ÷ 27 = 3.70 yards.
Gravel volume is **area × depth**. For US paths and driveways, measure length and width in feet and compacted depth in inches.
**Imperial formula (rectangle):**
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ **324**
Equivalently: Cubic feet = Length × Width × Depth (in) ÷ 12, then ÷ 27 for yards.
**Example — 10×40 ft walkway, 3 in gravel base:**
10 × 40 × 3 ÷ 324 = **3.70 cubic yards** (100 cu ft)
**Area-only mode:** Enter total square footage when your plan lists area — multiply area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 for cubic feet.
**Coverage shortcut:** At 3 in depth, **1 cubic yard covers ~108 sq ft**. At 2 in, one yard covers ~162 sq ft. At 4 in driveway base, ~81 sq ft.
**Metric formula:**
Volume (m³) = Area (m²) × Depth (cm) ÷ 100
**Example — 30 m² path at 7 cm:**
30 × 0.07 = **2.1 m³** (2,100 liters)
Decorative gravel and crushed stone are sold **bulk by the cubic yard** or in **bagged cubic feet** at big-box stores. Add **5–15% extra** for compaction, edge spillage, and uneven subgrade. Compacted gravel occupies less volume than loose dump — suppliers often quote loose yards; compact on site.
The calculator treats the paved zone as a flat rectangular prism (or known area × depth). An optional buffer increases order quantity for compaction loss and subgrade variation.
Formula
cu yd = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(in) ÷ 324 | cu ft = area(sq ft) × D(in) ÷ 12 | m³ = area(m²) × D(cm) ÷ 100Tap Decorative topping (2 in), Foot path (3 in), Patio base, Driveway base (4 in), or Side yard walk — each sets recommended depth with guidance.
Enter length and width for rectangular paths and driveways, total area for curved walks, or diameter for round pads. Measure the paved footprint only.
Quarries quote crushed stone by the cubic yard or by the ton. Results show volume, estimated bulk weight, and ton rows for limestone, river rock, and granite.
Enter bag size (0.5 cu ft is common for decorative gravel) on the main form — bag count rounds up automatically. Leave blank to skip bags.
The purchase guide recommends bulk delivery above ~2 cu yd and bagged retail for small accents — with gravel-specific tips.
Enable the buffer on the main form for driveways and heavily tamped bases. Ten percent is the default; use 10–15% for vehicle loads.
Input
10 ft × 40 ft × 3 inOutput
100 cu ft · 3.70 cu yd400 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 12 = 100 cu ft. ÷ 27 = 3.70 yards.
Input
8 ft × 8 ft × 3 inOutput
16 cu ft · 0.59 cu yd64 sq ft — borderline bulk vs bagged decorative gravel.
Input
200 sq ft × 4 inOutput
66.7 cu ft · 2.47 cu ydHeavier base depth for vehicle traffic or soft soil.
Input
30 m² × 7 cmOutput
2.1 m³ · 2,100 L30 × 0.07 m = 2.1 cubic meters of aggregate.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
10×40 ft path at 3 in: 400 × 3 ÷ 12 = 100 cu ft → ~3.70 cu yd. Order 4 yards with buffer. Compact with a plate compactor between lifts if over 4 in total.
12×12 ft pad at 3 in crushed stone: 144 × 3 ÷ 12 = 36 cu ft → ~1.33 cu yd. Add 1 in sand bedding separately — not included in gravel volume.
12×20 ft strip at 4 in: 240 × 4 ÷ 12 = 80 cu ft → ~2.96 cu yd. Driveways often need 4–6 in #57 stone over geotextile — consult local codes.
EU gardeners enter m² and cm for m³ output when buying bulk aggregate by the tonne — convert with supplier density separately.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
From layout to delivery in four steps.
Square feet one loose cubic yard covers before compaction.
| Depth | Sq ft per cu yd | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 | Decorative topping · existing base |
| 3 in | 108 | Foot paths · patio base (default) |
| 4 in | 81 | Light driveway · heavy patio |
| 6 in | 54 | Driveway base over soft soil |
Formula: 324 ÷ depth (inches). Compaction reduces finished thickness — use buffer.
| Application | Depth | Stone type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in | Pea gravel · crushed fines | Edging required |
| Patio base | 3–4 in | #57 crushed stone | Compact before sand/pavers |
| Driveway base | 4–6 in | Crusher run · #57 | Multiple lifts + compactor |
| Drainage swale | 6–12 in | Riprap · large angular | Check local storm codes |
For tonnage quotes — varies by moisture and stone.
| Material | Tons per cu yd (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed limestone | 1.3–1.5 | Common driveway base |
| Pea gravel | 1.2–1.4 | Rounded — shifts under load |
| River rock (decorative) | 1.1–1.3 | Lighter · larger voids |
| Lava rock | 0.8–1.0 | Very light — sold by cu ft at retail |
Always confirm with your quarry — moisture changes weight.
| Volume needed | Best format | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Under 0.5 cu yd | Bagged retail | Higher $/cu ft; easier for accents |
| 0.5–2 cu yd | Bulk pickup or bags | Trailer load vs pallet |
| 2+ cu yd | Bulk delivery | Lowest $/cu yd; dump on tarp |
Pea gravel and river rock shift under tires. Driveways need **crushed angular stone** (#57, crusher run) at 4–6 in, not 3 in round rock.
Loose gravel settles. Plate-compact in 2–3 in lifts; order 10–15% extra or enable buffer.
Suppliers may quote **tons**. Limestone ~1.4 tons/yd³, river rock less dense — ask conversion for your stone.
Gravel migrates without edging or borders. Volume math does not include spill outside the footprint.
Measure only the **paved footprint** — not adjacent turf you will not cover.
Excavate soft topsoil, compact subgrade, geotextile if needed, then gravel in lifts.
Mulch is 2–4 in loose on soil. Gravel **bases** are 3–6 in compacted — different product and compaction.
Pavers need 1 in bedding sand **above** compacted gravel — calculate sand separately.
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At 3 in depth (default): 400 sq ft × 3 ÷ 12 = 100 cu ft, or about 3.70 cubic yards. Round up to 4 yards with a compaction buffer.
3 inches of compacted crushed stone or pea gravel is standard for foot traffic over a firm subgrade. Use edging to contain stone.
For paths and pads: cubic yards = footprint length (ft) × width (ft) × gravel depth (in) ÷ 324. Area mode: (sq ft × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Order loose volume — compaction reduces finished depth.
Depends on stone type. Crushed limestone is roughly 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard; river rock and pea gravel are slightly lighter. This calculator shows ton estimates for common stone types — confirm with your supplier for billing.
At 3 in depth, about 108 sq ft loose before compaction. At 4 in, about 81 sq ft.
Crushed angular stone compacts and locks for vehicle loads. Pea gravel rolls and ruts — use it for paths, not driveways.
Calculate **loose** order volume, then add 10–15% buffer for compaction loss — enable the buffer on the main form for driveways.
Geotextile helps on clay and prevents sinking; it does not change volume math. Weed fabric alone does not support structural loads.
At 3 in: 144 × 3 ÷ 12 = 36 cu ft (~1.33 cu yd). Add separate sand layer for pavers.
Volume math is identical, but depth recommendations and compaction differ. Use this Gravel Calculator for path and driveway defaults.
Path and driveway measurements stay on your machine only — EverydayTools never uploads gravel project dimensions or depth settings to external servers.
Volume estimates only — not civil engineering, structural pavement design, or commercial estimating. Confirm stone spec and quantities with your supplier.
Part of Calculator Tools
More free tools for the same workflow.
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Reviewed on 2026-06-27.
What are you building?
3 in — standard crushed stone or pea gravel walk (default).
Gravel depth presets
Use case chips set depth — 2 in topping, 3 in path, 4 in driveway base. Compact in 2–3 in lifts.
Bagged decorative gravel — often 0.5 cu ft at retail. Leave blank to skip bag count.
1 cubic yard covers
| Depth | Sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
Bag coverage at 3 in depth
| Bag | Covers | Per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft bag | 4 sq ft | 27 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft (40 L) | 6 sq ft | 18 bags |
| 2 cu ft bag | 8 sq ft | 14 bags |
| 3 cu ft bag | 12 sq ft | 9 bags |