How to use it
- Choose a rectangular or circular project and enter its finished dimensions.
- Enter the planned compacted depth and the number of identical areas.
- Adjust waste, bulk density, price per tonne and truck capacity using supplier data.
Construction
Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel volume, weight, waste and delivered material cost.
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Project inputs
Unit system
Calculator guide
How to calculate gravel accurately
This gravel calculator estimates the compacted area volume, adds your waste allowance, converts the result to material weight and estimates truckloads and material cost.
Use the finished length, width and compacted depth of the driveway, path or base. For irregular projects, divide the area into rectangles or circles and calculate each section separately.
Reviewed August 2026 by the DoMyCalc editorial teamGravel volume and weight formula
Order volume = area × depth × quantity × (1 + waste %). Weight = order volume × bulk density.
Worked example
A 10 m × 5 m driveway with a 10 cm compacted layer has a base volume of 5.00 m³. With 5% waste, order 5.25 m³. At 1.6 t/m³, the estimated material weight is 8.40 tonnes.
Before ordering
- Loose delivery volume and compacted volume may differ.
- Moisture, grading and aggregate type change bulk density.
- Material price may exclude delivery, spreading and minimum-load charges.
How to interpret the estimate
Volume describes the finished material space; tonnes describe the estimated delivery weight. Truckloads are a planning ceiling after rounding up and may change when the supplier confirms legal payload and moisture.
Treat the displayed cost as material-only unless your entered rate already includes delivery, spreading and tax.
Avoid these estimating errors
- Using inches or centimeters as meters
- Applying one density to different aggregate layers
- Confusing compacted project volume with loose delivery volume
Confirm with the supplier
- Loose bulk density for the exact material
- Truck payload and minimum order
- Whether quoted price includes delivery
Frequently asked questions
How deep should driveway gravel be?
Depth depends on soil, traffic and the number of layers. Confirm the section with a local contractor or engineer; calculate each layer separately when densities differ.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Convert the volume to cubic meters or yards, then multiply by the supplier’s bulk density. A generic density is only a planning estimate.
Does the result include compaction?
The calculator adds a user-defined waste allowance. If your supplier gives a separate compaction factor, include it in that allowance.