HesapHanem

Gravel Calculator

Find how much gravel you need.

How it is calculated

The tool first finds the volume of the area to be covered, V = length × width × depth, with all three in metres, shown in m³ to three decimals. It then converts to weight: tonnes = V × density, where density is the bulk density of the loose material in tonnes per cubic metre (t/m³).

If density is empty or not above zero, 1.5 t/m³ is used. All dimensions must be greater than zero. The result is a net figure: it does not add an allowance for compaction, uneven ground or spillage, so suppliers usually advise ordering a little extra. Different stones, sands and crushed rock have different bulk densities, so use your supplier's figure when you have it.

Worked example

A path 6 m long, 3 m wide and covered 0.1 m (10 cm) deep. Volume = 6 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.800 m³. With a bulk density of 1.5 t/m³, weight = 1.8 × 1.5 = 2.70 t.

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Common mistakes

  • Entering the depth in centimetres (10 instead of 0.1), which gives a volume one hundred times too large.
  • Using the density of solid rock (about 2.6 t/m³) instead of bulk density. Loose gravel contains air gaps, so its bulk density is lower.
  • Not allowing for compaction. Gravel settles after rolling or tamping, so the depth you spread must be larger than the finished depth.
  • Ordering by volume when the supplier sells by weight, or the other way round, without converting through the density.

About this calculator

This calculator estimates how much gravel or aggregate you need for a project by first computing volume from the area's length, width and depth (volume = L × W × D), then converting that volume to weight using the typical density of gravel — roughly 1.4 to 1.7 tonnes per cubic meter (about 2,400–2,900 lb per cubic yard) depending on the stone size and how compacted it is. It usually accounts for the fact that gravel is sold by weight or by bagged volume, not by the exact geometric volume of the area.

Landscapers, contractors and DIY homeowners use gravel calculators when planning driveways, walkways, drainage beds, garden mulch beds or a base layer under pavers — getting the volume and weight right avoids costly under-ordering (a second delivery trip) or over-ordering (wasted material and cost). Because gravel density varies by material (pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock all differ), it's worth checking the specific product's density when precision matters for a large order.

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  • Editorial team

    To order bagged gravel, divide the tonnes by the bag weight. The guide's 2.70 t path is 2,700 kg, which is 108 bags of 25 kg. If a job has two layers, such as a coarse base and a fine top, run the tool once per layer with its own depth and supplier density, then add the tonnages. Do you plan to buy by the bag or have a bulk load delivered?

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