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Gravel Driveway Calculator

Estimate how much gravel your driveway needs, including the deeper base that carries vehicle weight. Enter length, width and depth for cubic yards, tons and cost.

Gravel Driveway Calculator

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cubic yards
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tons
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est. cost
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bags (0.5 ft³)
Gravel Driveway Calculator, live preview
compacted ground 4"
Enter values to see your estimate.

How to Calculate Gravel for a Driveway

Change the calculator above and watch every figure and the diagram below update live.

Top-down view (area × depth)

W L depth 4"

Step 1 · Area

20 ft × 10 ft = 200 ft²

Step 2 · Volume (× depth, ÷ 27)

200 ft² × 0.33 ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³

3.46
tons (× 1.4)
134
bags (÷ 0.5 ft³)

These figures update automatically as you change the calculator above.

Driveway gravel coverage at a glance

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.
DepthCoverage per yd³Relative coverage
1" 324 sq ft
100%
2" 162 sq ft
50%
3" 108 sq ft
33%
4" 81 sq ft
25%
6" 54 sq ft
17%
3 in
3"

At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard of gravel covers 108 sq ft.

Driveway Gravel FAQs

How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Measure length × width and use a 4–6 inch depth. A 24 × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 3.6 cubic yards per layer.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan for 4–6 inches of gravel, or up to 8–12 inches total across a base course and top course for heavy vehicles or soft ground.
How many tons of gravel for a driveway?
Gravel is roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Multiply your calculated cubic yards by 1.4 to get tons to order.
What gravel is best for a driveway?
A crushed stone base (like #57 or crusher run) compacts firmly and drains well, making it a common choice for driveways.

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