Calculate the volume and weight of gravel, sand or stone needed for a driveway, path or garden bed.
Volume = length × width × depth; weight = volume × density (about 1,680 kg/m³ for gravel). A 10 × 3 m area at 10 cm deep is 3 m³ — with 10% extra for compaction, 3.3 m³ or about 5.5 tonnes.
The Gravel Calculator tells you how much gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel, sand or topsoil to order for a driveway, path, drainage trench or garden bed. Enter the length, width and depth, choose a material (or enter a custom density), and it returns the volume in cubic metres, cubic yards and cubic feet and the weight in kilograms, tonnes and US tons.
A compaction allowance (10% by default) covers the settling that happens when gravel is spread and compacted. Suppliers sell either by volume or by weight, so both are shown. Use the Mulch Calculator for garden mulch or the Square Footage Calculator to measure the area first.
Quantity is volume first, then weight from density.
| Area and depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 3 m, 10 cm deep, gravel, +10% | 3.3 m³ | 5.544 tonnes (6.111 US tons US tons) |
| 20 × 10 ft, 3 in deep, no extra | 1.416 m³ | 2.379 tonnes (2.622 US tons US tons) |
| 30 × 12 ft driveway, 4 in deep, +15% | 3.908 m³ | 6.565 tonnes (7.237 US tons US tons) |
| 5 × 1 m path, 5 cm deep, sand, +10% | 0.275 m³ | 0.44 tonnes (0.485 US tons US tons) |
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Density (lb/ft³) | Tonnes per m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (general) | 1,680 | 105 | 1.68 |
| Crushed stone | 1,600 | 100 | 1.60 |
| Pea gravel | 1,600 | 100 | 1.60 |
| Sand | 1,600 | 100 | 1.60 |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1,300 | 81 | 1.30 |
A driveway usually needs 10–15 cm (4–6 in) of compacted gravel over a firm base; a walking path 5–8 cm (2–3 in); a decorative garden bed 5 cm (2 in); and a drainage trench is filled to the design depth. Always check what your supplier recommends for the grade of stone you buy.
Multiply length × width × depth to get the volume, add about 10% for compaction, then multiply by the material's density to get the weight.
About 1.6–1.7 tonnes; this calculator uses 1.68 tonnes per m³ for general gravel.
About 0.7 cubic yards per US ton — conversely, a cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 US tons (about 1,280 kg).
Typically 10–15 cm (4–6 in) of compacted gravel; thicker for heavy vehicles or soft ground.
Loose gravel settles as it is compacted and driven on, so ordering about 10% extra avoids coming up short.
About 1,600 kg/m³ loose; wet or compacted sand weighs more.
Ask your supplier. Weight is more common for bulk deliveries; the calculator shows both.
Yes — pick the material from the list, or enter a custom density in kg/m³ or lb/ft³.
Find the area with the Square Footage Calculator (circle), then multiply by the depth.
No. Everything runs in your browser.
