About the Gravel Calculator
Gravel, sand, and topsoil are typically sold by weight (tons) but calculated by volume (cubic yards) - and different materials pack to different densities, so the same volume of sand weighs more than the same volume of crushed stone.
How It Works
The calculator finds the volume needed from your area and depth, then multiplies by the selected material's typical density (tons per cubic yard) to estimate the weight you'll need to order.
Examples
A gravel driveway base
20 ft × 10 ft at 4 inches of crushed stone needs about 2.47 cubic yards, weighing roughly 3.46 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Comparing materials
The same volume in sand (1.5 tons/yd³) weighs noticeably more than in topsoil (1.0 tons/yd³), despite being identical volume.
Advantages
- Covers five common materials with realistic density figures
- Shows both volume and weight, matching how suppliers actually quote and sell
- Compares multiple depths in one table
Common Mistakes
- Using one generic weight-per-yard figure regardless of material type
- Not accounting for compaction when ordering a compacted base layer
- Confusing cubic yards (volume) with tons (weight) when getting supplier quotes
Edge Cases to Watch For
- Compaction reduces loose material's volume once it's spread and packed down, so ordering slightly more than the raw calculation is standard practice.
- Density varies not just by material type but by moisture content and exact source - the figures used here are typical averages, not a guaranteed exact weight.
- Suppliers often sell gravel by the ton with a minimum delivery order, so very small projects may cost more per ton than large ones.
Common Use Cases
- Ordering gravel for a driveway, path, or drainage base
- Estimating topsoil needed for a garden bed or lawn leveling project
- Comparing material cost between gravel, sand, and topsoil for the same project