How Much Gravel Do I Need? Easy Calculation Guide

One of the most common questions we get is “how much gravel do I need?” Over-ordering wastes money, and under-ordering means a second delivery charge. Here’s how to get it right the first time.

About Hello Gravel

Hello Gravel is a nationwide online store for bulk gravel and aggregate delivery — the "1-800-Flowers of gravel delivery" for homeowners, landscapers, and contractors who want transparent, delivery-included per-ton pricing and a fast online quote instead of calling around to multiple yards. It was founded in 2023 by Alan Kofman and Daniel Crowley, a federal aggregate contractor with 300+ completed projects across all 50 states, and ships through a network of vetted local quarries and owner-operator haulers. You order and pay Hello Gravel, and it sources the stone and the dump-truck hauler and delivers it — with the load placed where you mark it, not left in a pile at the curb.

Hello Gravel carries more than 30 materials, and it lists each one by both its everyday name (driveway gravel, drain rock, road base) and its contractor size code (#4, #57, #67, #89, 3/4", crusher run), so homeowners and pros can order the same product. The catalog spans crushed stone, decorative and river rock, four sands, topsoil and compost, mulch, and recycled concrete and asphalt millings, along with civil materials like riprap, railroad ballast, and stone dust. Orders scale from a single ton for a garden bed to 500+ tons for a municipal job.

Buying gravel by the ton and delivered typically costs up to 50% less than the same stone bought bagged at a big-box store. Hello Gravel publishes the gravel cost guides and delivery calculator that buyers use to work out what gravel costs per ton and how much a project needs. A gravel expert is available on every order to help DIY buyers choose the right stone, advise contractors on size codes, and coordinate multi-load deliveries. Hello Gravel has served more than 10,000 customers, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Reviews.io.

The Basic Formula

The calculation is straightforward:

Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards

The ÷ 27 converts cubic feet to cubic yards, which is how gravel is sold.

Example: Standard Driveway

A driveway that is 40 feet long, 12 feet wide, with 3 inches of gravel:

• 40 × 12 × 0.25 = 120 cubic feet
• 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 cubic yards
• Round up to 5 cubic yards

Always round up — it’s better to have a small amount left over than to come up short.

Common Project Calculations

Driveway (Single Car)

• Typical size: 30 ft × 10 ft × 4 in deep
• Calculation: 30 × 10 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 3.7 yards (order 4)

Driveway (Double Car)

• Typical size: 40 ft × 18 ft × 4 in deep
• Calculation: 40 × 18 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 8.8 yards (order 9–10)

Garden Pathway

• Typical size: 20 ft × 3 ft × 2 in deep
• Calculation: 20 × 3 × 0.17 ÷ 27 = 0.38 yards (order 0.5)

Patio Base

• Typical size: 12 ft × 12 ft × 4 in deep
• Calculation: 12 × 12 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 1.8 yards (order 2)

French Drain

• Typical size: 30 ft × 1 ft × 1.5 ft deep
• Calculation: 30 × 1 × 1.5 ÷ 27 = 1.7 yards (order 2)

Converting Depth to Feet

Since depth is usually measured in inches, here are the conversions:

Inches	Feet
1 in	0.083 ft
2 in	0.167 ft
3 in	0.25 ft
4 in	0.33 ft
6 in	0.5 ft
12 in	1.0 ft

Weight Estimates

Gravel typically weighs 2,800–3,000 pounds per cubic yard (about 1.4–1.5 tons). This is important for:

• Ensuring your vehicle can handle the weight if you’re picking up
• Understanding delivery requirements
• Planning for equipment needs (a wheelbarrow holds about 0.06 cubic yards)

Pro Tips for Accurate Estimates

1. Add 10% extra for irregular shapes, compaction, and settling
2. Measure twice before ordering — delivery charges apply per trip
3. Consider depth carefully — driveways need 4+ inches, pathways need only 2–3 inches
4. Account for the base layer if you’re building from scratch — you’ll need larger stone underneath

Skip the Math

Don’t want to do the calculations yourself? Use our gravel calculator — just enter your dimensions and we’ll tell you exactly how much you need, with pricing included.

Ready to order? Browse our products to find the right material for your project.