Free Gravel & Fill Calculator — Tons & Cubic Yards

How to Use the Gravel Calculator

How to Calculate Gravel and Fill Material

Estimating gravel, sand, topsoil, or crushed stone starts with the same basic formula: Length × Width × Depth. Convert the result from cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27, since one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet — a cube measuring 3' × 3' × 3'. For example, a 20' × 10' driveway pad filled 4" deep requires 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 cubic feet, which is 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. Add a 10% waste factor and you need approximately 2.72 cubic yards of gravel.

This calculator handles all the unit conversions automatically. Enter your area dimensions in any format — feet-inches-fractions, decimal feet, decimal inches, or metric — select your material type, and the calculator returns volume in cubic yards, weight in tons based on the material's density, number of dump truck loads, and estimated cost if you enter a price per cubic yard.

Choosing the Right Material

Different fill materials have different densities, which directly affects how much weight you are ordering and hauling. Gravel and crushed stone weigh approximately 100 pounds per cubic foot (about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard), making them the heaviest common landscape materials. Sand weighs similarly at roughly 100 lbs per cubic foot. Topsoil is lighter at about 75 lbs per cubic foot, while mulch is the lightest at only 25 lbs per cubic foot.

The weight difference matters when planning delivery. A standard dump truck can carry approximately 10 cubic yards by volume, but it also has a weight limit of around 20,000 to 25,000 pounds. For heavy materials like gravel, the weight limit may be reached before the volume capacity, so your supplier may deliver fewer cubic yards per trip than expected.

Gravel for Driveways

A gravel driveway typically requires three layers. The base layer uses #3 or #4 crushed stone (1" to 2" pieces) at 4" to 6" deep for drainage and stability. The middle layer uses #57 crushed stone (3/4" to 1") at 3" to 4" deep, which locks together better than the base layer. The top layer uses #8 or #9 gravel (3/8" to 1/2") at 2" to 3" deep for a smooth driving surface.

For a typical two-car driveway measuring 16' × 40' with a total gravel depth of 12", you need approximately 23.7 cubic yards of material. Calculate each layer separately if using different stone sizes, or enter the total depth for a single-material estimate. Always compact each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next.

Landscape and Garden Projects

Topsoil and mulch calculations follow the same volume formula, but the typical depths are much shallower. For new garden beds, apply 4" to 6" of topsoil over existing ground. For mulch, the recommended depth is 2" to 3" for weed suppression around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Going deeper than 4" with mulch can trap excess moisture and promote root rot.

River rock is a popular decorative option for dry creek beds, garden borders, and areas where you want permanent ground cover without organic decomposition. Plan for 2" to 4" deep depending on the stone size. River rock is heavier than mulch but lighter than crushed stone at about 90 lbs per cubic foot, and it tends to be the most expensive landscape material per cubic yard.

Understanding Delivery and Truckloads

A standard dump truck carries approximately 10 cubic yards of material per load. Larger tri-axle trucks can carry 15 to 18 cubic yards, and transfer trucks can haul up to 25 cubic yards. Delivery fees typically run $50 to $150 per load depending on distance, so consolidating into fewer loads saves money.

Most suppliers sell by the cubic yard (or sometimes by the ton), with a minimum delivery of 1 to 3 cubic yards. For projects under 1 cubic yard, consider picking up bagged material yourself — a cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,700 pounds, so small quantities are more practical in bags.

Pro Tips

• Always order 10% to 15% more than the calculated volume. Natural ground is never perfectly level, and some material is lost to settling, spreading, and compaction.
• For driveways and parking areas, compact each layer of gravel with a plate compactor or roller. Without compaction, gravel shifts under traffic and requires more frequent maintenance.
• Install landscape fabric under decorative gravel and river rock to prevent weeds from growing through. This also prevents the stone from sinking into soft soil over time.
• Measure the depth of material you need in inches, not feet — most gravel and mulch applications are under 12". A common mistake is entering 4 (feet) instead of 4" (inches), which results in an order 12 times too large.
• Check with your supplier about delivery weight limits. A 10 cubic yard load of gravel weighs approximately 13.5 tons — exceeding the weight limit means the truck will carry fewer cubic yards per trip.