Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel, sand, or topsoil you need in cubic yards and tons.
About the Gravel Calculator
Bulk landscaping materials like gravel, sand, and topsoil are typically priced and delivered by the ton, but project area is measured in square feet and depth in inches — this calculator bridges that gap, converting your area and depth into both cubic yards and estimated weight in tons.
How It Works
The calculator multiplies length by width by depth (converted to feet) to get cubic feet, divides by 27 for cubic yards, then multiplies cubic yards by a density factor specific to the material selected — gravel, sand, topsoil, and crushed stone all weigh somewhat differently per cubic yard.
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth(in)/12) / 27; Weight (tons) = Cubic Yards × Material Density.
Example
Scenario: A 20ft × 10ft area covered 4 inches deep with gravel.
Result: About 2.47 cubic yards needed, weighing roughly 3.46 tons of gravel.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Density factors used are standard industry approximations (gravel ~1.4 tons/cu yd, sand ~1.5, topsoil ~1.2, crushed stone ~1.35) — exact density varies by moisture content and specific material source.
- Assumes a uniform, level depth across the entire area.
- Actual material density can vary by supplier and moisture content, so treat the weight estimate as approximate when ordering — many suppliers can confirm exact density for their specific product.