Free Gravel & Base Calculator

To estimate the gravel required for a driveway, multiply the Length × Width × Depth (in feet) to find the volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For a standard 10x30 foot driveway at a depth of 4 inches, you need approximately 3.7 cubic yards of loose gravel. In terms of weight, this is about 5.2 tons of gravel, assuming a standard loose density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard and a 15% compaction allowance.

On average, one cubic yard of standard gravel weighs about 1.4 short tons (2,800 pounds). The exact weight varies depending on the stone type, aggregate size, moisture content, and composition. For example, clean crushed stone weighs about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, while dense Crusher Run (which contains fine stone dust) weighs around 1.5 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard due to the particles locking closely together.

A compacted gravel sub-base thickness of 4 inches (10 cm) is standard for residential walkways, patios, and concrete slabs. For residential driveways, parking pads, and heavy vehicular access roads, a sub-base depth of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) is recommended. This thickness distributes wheel loads over a wider area, preventing rutting and structural settling.

Clean stone consists of crushed rocks of uniform size that have been washed to remove fine dust, making it ideal for drainage systems, retaining walls, and French drains. Crusher Run (also called road base or DGA) is a mixture of crushed stone and stone dust. The dust fills the air voids when compacted, locking the rocks in place to create a dense, stable foundation.

A cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,600 to 2,800 pounds (1.3 to 1.4 tons). If the sand is wet, the weight can increase to 3,000 pounds (1.5 tons) or more because sand particles absorb water, which fills the void spaces. Always verify with your quarry supplier whether they quote prices and deliver materials based on dry weight or damp weight.

When aggregates are laid loose, they contain air voids. Compacting with a plate compactor forces the air out, causing the aggregate layer to shrink in volume by 10% to 20%. To achieve your desired finished thickness, you must multiply your raw geometric volume by a compaction factor. Clean gravel requires about 10% extra volume, while Crusher Run and soil require 15% to 20% extra.

Dense Grade Aggregate (DGA) is a crushed stone mixture consisting of various sizes of stones ranging from 3/4-inch down to fine stone dust. It is designed to compact into a highly dense, impermeable base. DGA is primarily used as the load-bearing foundation layer under asphalt highways, concrete driveways, interlocking paver patios, and retaining wall footings.

The material capacity of a dump truck depends on its size. A standard small single-axle dump truck typically carries 5 to 7 cubic yards of soil or aggregate. A large commercial tri-axle dump truck can carry 13 to 15 cubic yards. Super dump trucks can transport up to 18 cubic yards. When ordering, ensure your access roads and driveways can support these heavy truck weights.

For drainage systems, French drains, and retaining wall backfill, #57 clean stone (which ranges from 1/2 inch to 1 inch in size) is the industry standard. This size provides large void spaces between the rocks, allowing water to flow through rapidly without clogging. Avoid using Crusher Run or gravel with dust for drainage, as the fine particles will wash down and block water flow.

To calculate gravel for a circular patio, use the circle volume formula: `π × r² × d`, where 'r' is the radius (half the diameter) and 'd' is the depth. Ensure all measurements are in feet. For example, a 15-foot diameter patio with a 4-inch base has a volume of 3.1416 × 7.5² × 0.333 = 58.8 cubic feet. Convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27, resulting in 2.18 yards.

A full truckload of gravel (typically 15 tons) costs between $300 and $600, depending on the material type, delivery distance, and local quarry rates. The cost is split between the material itself (usually $15 to $40 per ton) and a flat delivery fee. Ordering full truckloads is much cheaper per ton than purchasing individual bags or small utility trailer loads.

Gravel alone is not an effective weed barrier, as weeds can grow through the gaps from seeds blown in by the wind. To prevent weeds, excavate the area, place a heavy-duty woven landscape fabric (weed barrier) over the soil, and cover it with at least 2 to 3 inches of gravel. The fabric blocks sunlight, preventing weeds from taking root in the soil.

To calculate soil for a raised bed, multiply the bed's Length × Width × Height (in feet) to find the volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27 to find the cubic yards. For example, a raised bed that is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 1.5 feet deep requires 48 cubic feet (8 × 4 × 1.5), which is approximately 1.78 cubic yards of topsoil mix.

A cubic yard of standard dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,000 to 2,200 pounds (1.0 to 1.1 short tons). If the topsoil contains organic compost or moisture, the weight can increase to 2,400 pounds. Highly organic garden soils are lighter, while dense clay-heavy soils are much heavier. Ensure your vehicle or trailer capacity matches the load weight before transport.

Loose cubic yards represent the volume of aggregate as it sits loosely in a dump truck or stockpile. Compacted cubic yards represent the volume after the material has been spread and compressed with a roller or compactor. Because compaction increases density by reducing air pockets, you need approximately 1.15 to 1.20 loose cubic yards to fill 1 compacted cubic yard.

A standard gravel driveway should be at least 6 to 8 inches thick, installed in three layers. The bottom layer (sub-base) should be 3 to 4 inches of large 2-to-3-inch angular rocks. The middle layer should be 2 to 3 inches of 1-to-2-inch clean gravel. The top layer should be 2 inches of 3/4-inch gravel with dust (Crusher Run) to bind the surface.

For walking paths, pea gravel (small, rounded 3/8-inch stones) or decomposed granite (DG) are the most popular choices. Pea gravel is comfortable to walk on but can shift underfoot. Decomposed granite compacts into a firm, stable surface that is easy to walk on and is wheelchair accessible, making it ideal for park trails and residential garden pathways.

To level paving stones (pavers), you need a 1-inch (0.083 ft) layer of coarse bedding sand over a compacted gravel base. To calculate sand volume, multiply the patio area by 0.083 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 200-square-foot patio, you will need 16.6 cubic feet of bedding sand, which is approximately 0.62 cubic yards.

Retaining walls require a compacted Crusher Run base trench. Calculate the trench volume by multiplying Trench Length × Trench Width (typically 12 to 24 inches) × Base Depth (typically 6 inches). For a 50-foot wall with a 1.5-foot wide trench and a 6-inch base, volume is 50 × 1.5 × 0.5 = 37.5 cubic feet (1.39 cubic yards). Add 20% for compaction.

Sand expands in volume when damp due to a physical phenomenon called 'sand bulking'. Moisture forms a thin film of water around each sand grain, and surface tension pushes the grains apart, increasing the overall volume by up to 20% to 30%. Dry sand and saturated sand do not exhibit bulking; it only occurs in partially damp sand.

River rocks are natural stones that have been smoothed and rounded by water erosion, making them ideal for decorative landscaping, dry creek beds, and garden borders. Crushed gravel is produced by mechanically crushing large rocks, resulting in sharp, angular edges. The angular edges of crushed gravel allow the stones to interlock, providing a stable foundation for driveways.

To calculate backfill volume, multiply the length of the wall by the height of the wall, and then by the average width of the excavation gap behind the wall. For example, if you are backfilling a 40-foot retaining wall that is 4 feet high, with an average backfill gap width of 1 foot, the volume is 160 cubic feet (1.69 cubic yards).

Class 5 gravel is a specification used in the US for road base material. It is a mixture of crushed limestone, granite, or gravel containing stones up to 1 inch in size, graded down to fine sand and clay. The clay acts as a binder, helping the material compact into a hard, water-resistant surface ideal for driveways and road sub-bases.

In the United States, a standard short ton of gravel contains exactly 2,000 pounds. If you are ordering materials internationally, a metric tonne contains 2,204.6 pounds. When calculating delivery weights for utility trailers or pickup trucks, always verify that the load does not exceed your vehicle's rated towing capacity (GVWR) to ensure safe road transport.

To find the moisture content, weigh a sample of damp gravel (W_wet), dry it completely in an oven, and weigh it again (W_dry). Calculate the water weight: `W_water = W_wet - W_dry`. The moisture content is `(W_water / W_dry) × 100`. Quarries use this percentage to adjust their shipping weights, ensuring customers pay for stone rather than water weight.