Bagged route
37 bags
0.5 cu ft gravel bags
Useful for small paths, drainage fixes, and decorative touch-ups where bag count matters more than bulk delivery.
Gravel calculator
Gravel calculator for cubic yards, tons, and bags.
Estimate gravel for paths, driveway strips, drainage areas, and patio bases before comparing bagged and bulk buying routes.
Quick reference
Gravel for common areas at 2 and 4 inches
Cubic yards and tons including the default 10% extra, at about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
| Area | Yards at 2 in | Tons at 2 in | Yards at 4 in | Tons at 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.68 yd³ | 1.0 tons | 1.36 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| 200 sq ft | 1.36 yd³ | 1.9 tons | 2.72 yd³ | 3.8 tons |
| 500 sq ft | 3.40 yd³ | 4.8 tons | 6.79 yd³ | 9.5 tons |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.79 yd³ | 9.5 tons | 13.58 yd³ | 19.0 tons |
Paths are often 2 in deep and driveways 4 in or more. Compacted depth is less than loose depth.
Quick gravel answers
Common gravel checks
100 sq ft path at 2 in
0.68 yd³
0.95 tons
37 half-cu-ft bags
12 x 12 base at 4 in
1.96 yd³
2.74 tons
106 half-cu-ft bags
10 x 20 strip at 5 in
3.40 yd³
4.75 tons
184 half-cu-ft bags
Shopping list
Compare bagged and bulk gravel
Bulk route
37
Bulk gravel by yard or ton
For driveways, paths, and deeper bases, compare cubic yards and tons with your local landscape yard.
Base material
Paver base
For patios and walkways, check whether you need compacted gravel plus a leveling sand layer.
Optional tools
Tamper, rake, and landscape fabric
Compaction and edge restraint often matter as much as the gravel quantity.
Formula shown
How gravel estimates work
Volume
length ft x width ft x depth in / 12
Cubic yards and tons
cubic yards = ft³ / 27; tons = yd³ x density
Bag counts
bags = ceil(cubic feet with allowance / bag volume)
Sources
- Calculator.net Gravel Calculator — area, depth, density, and cost estimation structure
- Inch Calculator Paver Base Calculator — paver base gravel and sand planning context
- CalculatorSoup Cubic Yards Calculator — cubic yards formula for soil, gravel, mulch, and construction material
Sources checked
Checked against
Bulk densities, bag sizes, and coverage depths checked against supplier and retail product specs.
How we check our numbersLast updated: June 21, 2026
Estimate only.
This calculator is not a quote. Verify product yield, price, delivery minimums, and local conditions with your supplier or contractor before buying materials.
FAQ
Gravel calculator questions
Quick answers for gravel depth, cubic yards, tons, bag counts, and paver base use.
How much gravel do I need? + -
Enter length, width, and depth to estimate cubic yards. The calculator also converts the volume to tons using a planning density.
How deep should gravel be? + -
Light landscape paths may use about 2 inches, while patio bases and driveway areas often need deeper compacted layers. Local soil, load, and drainage can change the depth.
Should I order gravel by yard or ton? + -
Landscape suppliers may quote by cubic yard or ton. This page shows both, but density changes by stone type and moisture, so verify with the supplier.
Does gravel need extra allowance? + -
Yes. The default 10% allowance helps cover compaction, edges, and uneven subgrade. Increase it for deeper bases or irregular areas.
Can I use this for paver base? + -
Use it for the gravel layer volume. A full paver base estimate may also need a separate sand layer and compaction allowance.