Gravel Calculator
How much gravel do you need? This free gravel calculator gives instant cubic yards, tons, and bag count for any rectangle, circle, or ring (annulus) — with material-specific densities, the compaction multiplier built in, and standards-cited methodology from ASTM D448, AASHTO M43, ICPI, TxDOT, Caltrans, and the IRC.
Most online gravel calculators bury the compaction factor in body copy or skip it entirely. That is why a 10-yard order shows up and only fills 8 yards of compacted base. The fix: this calculator applies a 1.10× multiplier for open-graded stone (#57/#67/#8/pea/river/lava) per the AASHTO #57 TDS (~8% settlement) and 1.20× for dense-graded base (crusher run, DGA, RCA) per TxDOT Item 247 + Caltrans §26 — visible, overrideable, and explained inline.
Built-in regional naming: "crusher run" = "DGA" = "ABC stone" = "21A" = "Item 4" = "GAB" = "Class 2" — the calculator labels and tooltips show every regional alias so a contractor in NC and a homeowner in NJ are ordering the same material. Free, no signup.
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Gravel Calculator
Material-specific densities, compaction multipliers per AASHTO / TxDOT / Caltrans spec, and built-in regional naming for crusher run / DGA / ABC stone / 21A. Outputs cubic yards, tons, and bag count.
1. Area shape & dimensions
2. Depth & material
AASHTO #57 stone · ASTM D448 / AASHTO M43 No. 57. 100% pass 1½″, 95–100% pass 1″. Open-graded — drains freely, self-compacts about 8% under a vibratory plate (Capitol Flexi-Pave AASHTO #57 TDS). Most common drainage and driveway-top stone in the US.
Also called: #57 stone · "fifty-seven" · 57 limestone · 57 granite
3. Compaction & waste
Default 1.10×
Getting a gravel take-off right
The area math is easy — the three things that decide whether you order the right amount are how deep the gravel should be for the job, why you order loose but place compacted, and how to turn your cubic yards into a ton order the supplier can fill.
The depth-by-use columns are why the calculator asks what the gravel is for before it sizes depth. Compacted base depth climbs with the load — walkway, driveway, street — and decorative cover is shallow, so use, not preference, sets the number. Enter the wrong use and the depth is wrong before any area math starts.
The compaction comparison is why the order comes out larger than the finished bed. Gravel ships loose and densifies under the plate, so dense-graded crusher run settles most, open-graded stone less, and rounded decorative stone not at all. The calculator multiplies the compacted volume by the material’s settlement factor so the delivery is enough after tamping.
The yards-to-tons diagram is why the calculator converts volume to weight with a density. The yard sells gravel by the ton, but a cubic yard is not a fixed tonnage — crusher run, pea gravel, and lava rock all weigh differently — so tons come from yards times the material density. Order by weight without that conversion and the load is off.
Calculation Formulas
Convert depth to feet (÷ 12), multiply by area for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards. Same formula for all shapes — only the area calculation changes.
Example:
10 ft × 10 ft × 4 in deep → 100 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 1.235 yd³ geometric volume
Use for round patios, tree rings, and fire-pit pads. Always measure diameter (across), not circumference.
Example:
10 ft diameter → π × 25 = 78.54 sq ft
For tree-ring borders or perimeter gravel around a pad. Subtract the inner circle from the outer circle.
Example:
8 ft outer × 4 ft inner → π × (16 − 4) = 37.70 sq ft
Loose-delivered gravel shrinks when placed and compacted. Open-graded clean stone (#57/#67/#8) compacts about 8% per the AASHTO #57 TDS — use 1.10×. Dense-graded base (crusher run, DGA, RCA) compacts 15–25% per TxDOT Item 247 / Caltrans §26 — use 1.20×. Decorative rounded gravel (pea, river rock, lava) does not compact — use 1.00×.
Example:
1.235 yd³ compacted × 1.20 (crusher run) = 1.482 yd³ loose-delivered
Crushed stone runs 1.4–1.5 t/yd³ planning; pea gravel 1.3–1.4 t/yd³; lava rock 0.55–0.7 t/yd³. Use the material-specific density — a generic 2,410 lb/yd³ used by many calculators understates dense base and overstates lava rock.
Example:
1.48 yd³ crusher run × 2,700 lb/yd³ ÷ 2,000 = 2.00 tons
The dominant retail bag size at Home Depot / Lowe’s is 0.5 cu ft (typically ~50 lb). Always round up — partial bags do not exist. One cubic yard = 27 ft³ = 54 bags.
Example:
40 ft³ project ÷ 0.5 = 80 bags
Standard 10% waste covers spillage, edge loss, settling, and rounding to supplier minimum loads. Bump to 15% for sloped or soft/saturated subgrades, irregular shapes, or curved borders.
Example:
1.482 yd³ × 1.10 (10% waste) = 1.63 yd³ to order
Below ½ yd³ (27 bags), bagged retail is the practical choice — bulk minimums and load fees price small bulk orders out. Between ½ and 2 yd³ is borderline; above 2 yd³ a single dump-truck load beats stacking 100+ bags on labor, time, and trips. Residential dump-truck minimums run 3–5 tons (~2–4 yd³).
Example:
11.7 yd³ driveway → ~633 retail bags vs. one single-axle dump load
Standard Constants
| Constant | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 ft³ | 1 yd³ = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. Universal conversion. |
| Bags per cubic yard | 54 bags | 27 ft³ ÷ 0.5 ft³ per retail bag (standard Home Depot / Lowe’s gravel bag). |
| Open-graded compaction multiplier | 1.10× (~8% settlement) | AASHTO #57 / #67 / #8 — Capitol Flexi-Pave AASHTO #57 TDS: "#57 stone will typically compact about one inch in vertical height, which is equivalent to about 8% settlement." |
| Dense-graded compaction multiplier | 1.20× (15–25% settlement) | Crusher run / DGA / RCA per TxDOT Tex-113-E (100% max dry density) and Caltrans §26 (≥95% relative compaction). |
| Standard waste factor | 10% | Industry default for rectangular projects on firm subgrade (Inch Calculator, HowMuchStuff). 15% for sloped or soft subgrade per Constructlytools / Bovees. |
| AASHTO #57 stone density | ~2,470 lb/yd³ (1.24 t/yd³) | Rohrer’s TDS: rodded 98.7 lb/ft³, loose 86.0 lb/ft³. Gravelshop 2,410 lb/yd³. Mid-range planning weight. |
| Crusher run / DGA density | ~2,700 lb/yd³ (1.35 t/yd³) | Well-graded base with fines. Range 2,410 lb/yd³ (Gravelshop) to 3,000 lb/yd³ (HowMuchStuff). Heavier when wet. |
| Lava rock density | ~1,250 lb/yd³ (0.62 t/yd³) | Vesicular volcanic rock — roughly 40% less per cubic yard than river rock (Constructlytools). A ton covers ~2.4× the area of river rock. |
| IRC R405.1 foundation drain gravel | ≥ 2″ below pipe · ≥ 6″ above pipe · ≥ 1 ft beyond footing | International Residential Code R405.1: "Drainage tiles or perforated pipe shall be placed on not less than 2 inches of washed gravel … covered with not less than 6 inches of the same material." |
| ICPI paver base depth | 4–6″ walks · 6–8″ driveways · 8–12″ streets | ICPI Tech Spec 2 — aggregate base under interlocking concrete pavers. Compact to ≥98% Standard Proctor (pedestrian) or Modified Proctor (vehicular). |
Note: All calculations include appropriate waste factors based on project complexity and material type. Results are estimates and should be verified by professionals before purchasing materials.
ASTM D448 — Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction(ASTM D448-12 (Reapproved 2022))
View StandardDefines the #1 through #10 size designations (and combinations like #57, #67, #8) and sieve-percentage ranges for coarse aggregate. The reference every state DOT, ICPI, and concrete-mix designer uses to specify "#57 stone" or "#67 stone."
Key Requirements:
- •No. 57: 100% pass 1½″, 95–100% pass 1″, 25–60% pass ½″, ≤10% pass No. 4
- •No. 67: 100% pass 1″, 90–100% pass ¾″, 20–55% pass ⅜″, 0–10% pass No. 4
- •No. 8: 100% pass ½″, 85–100% pass ⅜″, 10–30% pass No. 8
- •Mechanical sieve testing per AASHTO T 2 (sampling) and T 27 (analysis)
- •Used as the gradation reference for AASHTO M43 and most state DOT base specs
AASHTO M43 — Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction(AASHTO M43)
View StandardDOT-facing companion to ASTM D448 with the identical gradation table. Required for federal-aid highway aggregate purchases and adopted by most state DOTs.
Key Requirements:
- •Identical numerical size designations and gradations as ASTM D448
- •Sampling per AASHTO T 2
- •Sieve analysis per AASHTO T 27
- •Adopted by state DOT specs for highway and bridge base/drainage aggregate
- •Used as the supplier-facing spec on most quarry tickets
ICPI Tech Spec 2 — Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements(ICPI / CMHA Tech Spec 2 (and 4, 9))
View StandardConstruction and structural-design guidance for interlocking concrete paver systems from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (now Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association). The authority on aggregate base depth under pavers.
Key Requirements:
- •Aggregate base 4–6″ for walks, 6–8″ for residential driveways, 8–12″ for streets
- •Compact to ≥98% Standard Proctor for pedestrian/residential, ≥98% Modified Proctor for vehicular
- •Dense-graded aggregate per ASTM D2940 (highway base/subbase)
- •Bedding sand ASTM C33 fine aggregate, 1″ thick max screeded uncompacted
- •Separation geotextile required over fine-grained subgrades (silt/clay)
TxDOT Item 247 — Flexible Base(TxDOT Item 247 (2024 Standard Specifications))
View StandardTexas DOT spec for crushed-stone flexible base under flexible and rigid pavement. Defines Grades 1–5 with PI / LL / wet-ball-mill / gradation limits and compaction requirements via Tex-113-E.
Key Requirements:
- •Grades 1–5 with progressively looser gradation tolerances
- •Plasticity Index (PI) and Liquid Limit (LL) caps by grade
- •Wet-ball-mill durability limits
- •Compaction to 100% of maximum dry density per Tex-113-E
- •Target field density ≥ 142.1 lb/ft³ on Grade 1–2 (TxDOT Flexible Base Selection Guide)
- •Type D allows crushed concrete (RCA) substitution
Caltrans Section 26 — Aggregate Bases(Caltrans Standard Specifications Section 26)
View StandardCalifornia DOT spec for Class 2 / Class 3 aggregate base under highway pavement. Widely transferred to commercial paving specs in the western US.
Key Requirements:
- •1½″ or ¾″ maximum aggregate gradation
- •Compact each AB layer to ≥ 95% relative compaction
- •Place in lifts ≤ 0.50 ft (6 in) before compaction
- •Allows reclaimed AC/PCC under Section 26
- •Sieve and durability testing per California test methods
NYSDOT Section 304 — Subbase Course(NYSDOT Standard Specifications §304)
View StandardNew York State DOT spec for subbase course (Types 1–4; "Item 4" is Type 2 — the famous regional naming). Required for federal-aid roads in NY and widely used in commercial site work.
Key Requirements:
- •Furnishing, placing, and compacting subbase course per plan grades and thicknesses
- •Maximum compacted lift 380 mm (~15″)
- •≤ 10% passing No. 200 sieve (controls fines and frost-susceptibility)
- •Type 2 ("Item 4") is the most common residential/commercial spec
- •Sieve and density testing per NYSDOT materials methods
IRC R405.1 — Foundation Drainage(International Residential Code §R405.1)
View StandardIRC requirement for perimeter foundation drains at masonry/concrete foundations enclosing usable below-grade space. The code reference every footing-drain spec on a residential plan defers to.
Key Requirements:
- •Gravel/crushed-stone drains shall extend ≥ 1 ft (305 mm) beyond the outside edge of the footing
- •Gravel ≥ 6 inches (152 mm) above the top of the footing
- •Drain tile/pipe shall be placed on ≥ 2 inches (51 mm) of washed gravel or crushed rock
- •Drain tile/pipe covered with ≥ 6 inches (152 mm) of the same washed gravel
- •Approved filter membrane material above the gravel envelope
Standards Disclaimer: Standards and codes are subject to periodic updates. Always verify current requirements with local building authorities and professional engineers before beginning construction. Links provided are for reference only.
Regional Naming — Same Material, Different Name
Crusher run / DGA / ABC stone / 21A — all describe the same product
Dense-graded compactable base aggregate (¾″ minus to dust, with fines) is sold under at least nine different regional names. Functionally identical — but a contractor moving between regions, or a homeowner cross-shopping suppliers, can easily order the wrong product.
Regional Examples:
Frost-Line Depth Drives Driveway Base Thickness
Per FHWA Long-Term Pavement Performance frost-penetration data
Frost depth in the contiguous US ranges from 0″ in Florida and Hawaii to 96″ at the northern extreme. Frozen subgrade soils expand ~9% by volume, producing upward pressure that heaves shallow gravel driveways. Base sections must extend toward the frost depth or include adequate drainage to prevent annual heave.
Regional Examples:
Clay / Expansive Subgrade — Southeast and Texas Gulf
Red clay (GA/NC/SC/AL) and Gulf clay (LA/TX) demand deeper base + fabric
Heavy red clay and expansive Gulf-coast clay shrink and swell with moisture, fail to drain, and pump fines up through gravel during freeze/wet cycles. Driveway bases on clay subgrades must be substantially thicker than published averages, and almost always require a non-woven geotextile separation fabric.
Regional Examples:
Sandy / Well-Drained Subgrade — Southwest & Florida
Florida lime rock and SW caliche replace crusher run regionally
Sandy or well-drained subgrades drain readily, so base thickness can drop and geotextile fabric is less critical. Florida and the Southwest also have regionally specific compactable base materials that substitute for crusher run.
Regional Examples:
Material Availability Shifts by Region
Source rock determines what your local quarry sells
Crushed-stone color, durability, and price track local geology. Granite, limestone, trap rock, lava, and recycled concrete dominate different regions — and a "decorative" material in one state is the local commodity stone in another.
Regional Examples:
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) Acceptance
DOT acceptance varies — confirm with your engineer or inspector
RCA is virgin-aggregate concrete crushed and graded for reuse as base or fill. Many state DOTs now permit RCA in base/subbase courses, but acceptance is not universal and gradation can be inconsistent across suppliers.
Regional Examples:
Bagged-Product Availability and the Bag-to-Bulk Crossover
Cold/rural regions have wider bag-vs-bulk premium
Big-box retailers (Home Depot, Lowe’s) stock 0.5 cu ft bags of pea gravel, river rock, lava rock, and marble chips nationally. In cold or quarry-distant regions, the bag-vs-bulk price gap widens — but bagged is still the practical choice for projects under ½ yd³.
Regional Examples:
Before You Build
- •Contact your local building department for specific requirements
- •Verify frost line depths, wind zones, and seismic requirements for your area
- •Check if permits are required and schedule required inspections
- •Consult with a local contractor familiar with local codes
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Want to Learn More?
Calculate gravel for driveways, patios, and French drains — cubic yards to tons, bag counts, depth by use, density tables, and the compaction factor.
Read the How Much Gravel Do I Need? Tons, Yards & Depth Guide
Heavy material — watch the weight limit
Concrete, brick, and masonry hit tonnage caps fast. Most dumpsters cap heavy material at 10 tons, and overage fees stack quickly. See the disposal guide before you load.
Read the heavy-debris guide →
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How to Use This Calculator
- Pick a shape: rectangle (length × width), circle (diameter), or annulus / ring (outer diameter × inner diameter).
- Enter dimensions in feet, then enter the FINISHED, compacted depth in inches. The calculator handles the loose-to-compacted conversion for you.
- Pick a material from the grouped dropdown: open-graded crushed stone (#57, #67, #8, #4 ballast), dense-graded base (crusher run / DGA / ABC / 21A / Class 2, or RCA), or decorative (pea gravel, river rock, lava rock).
- Leave the compaction toggle on for default multipliers (1.10× clean stone, 1.20× dense base) — or enter a manual override if your engineer or supplier specifies otherwise.
- Adjust waste %: 10% is the industry default for rectangular projects on firm subgrade; check the "sloped or soft subgrade" box to bump to 15%.
- Click Calculate: instantly get cubic yards, tons (with low/high range from published density spread), and 0.5 cu ft bag count — plus a bag-vs-bulk recommendation, the geometric-vs-ordered math breakdown, and a coverage table at alternate depths.
Why compaction and material-specific density matter
Two factors drive most gravel ordering mistakes. First, compaction: loose-delivered crusher run shrinks 15–25% when placed in lifts and compacted to ≥95% relative compaction per Caltrans §26 / 100% max dry density per TxDOT Tex-113-E — order the geometric volume and you will be a fifth short. Second, density: a generic 2,410 lb/yd³ used by most calculators understates dense crusher run (actually 2,700+ lb/yd³) and dramatically overstates lava rock (actually 1,100–1,400 lb/yd³). This calculator uses material-specific densities from Rohrer's TDS, NRMCA, and Gravelshop data — and shows the range so you can talk to your supplier in their units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the material. Most crushed stone and gravel runs 1.4–1.7 tons per cubic yard (Inch Calculator). Specific densities the calculator uses, all from supplier TDS or DOT data: AASHTO #57 stone ≈ 1.24 t/yd³ (Rohrer's TDS rodded 98.7 lb/ft³ × 27); #67 stone ≈ 1.25 t/yd³; pea gravel ≈ 1.35 t/yd³; crusher run / DGA ≈ 1.35 t/yd³ (range 1.20–1.50); river rock ≈ 1.30 t/yd³; recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) ≈ 1.25 t/yd³ (NRMCA — 85–95% of virgin aggregate); lava rock ≈ 0.62 t/yd³ — roughly half the weight of river rock per cubic yard. Wet material adds 5–10%. Many generic calculators apply a single 2,410 lb/yd³ to every material, which understates dense crusher run and overstates lava rock by 2× — use a material-specific density.
What size gravel should I use for a driveway?
Standard residential driveway is a layered system: a 4–6″ base of dense-graded compactable stone (crusher run / DGA / 21A / ABC stone / Class 2 — same product, regional names) compacted in 2–3″ lifts, then a 2–3″ top course of #57 or #3 stone for surface drainage. Total compacted depth 8–12″ per Bovees and Port Aggregates. On heavy clay subgrade (Southeast red clay, Gulf coast clay), bump base to 10–12″ and add a non-woven geotextile separation fabric. In cold-frost regions (MN, ND, NY interior), bump base to 10–14″ to reach near frost depth — frozen subgrade soils expand ~9% by volume per FHWA frost-penetration data and heave shallow gravel.
Crusher run vs #57 stone — which is better?
Different products for different jobs. Crusher run (also called DGA, 21A, ABC stone, GAB, Item 4, Class 2 base, flex base — all regional names for the same material) is ¾″ minus to dust, well-graded with fines that lock when compacted. Use it as a base under pavers, slabs, sheds, or driveways where you need a stable compacted layer. #57 stone is ¾–1″ clean angular stone per ASTM D448 — open-graded, drains freely, self-compacts about 8% under a vibratory plate (Capitol Flexi-Pave AASHTO #57 TDS). Use it as a driveway top course, drainage stone, or anywhere you need water to pass through. Rule of thumb: crusher run for the compacted base; #57 for the surface or where drainage matters.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Total compacted depth 8–12″ for standard residential / passenger-vehicle driveways, in 2–3 layers per HelloGravel: a 4–6″ dense-graded base (crusher run / DGA), a middle ~2–3″ middle course, and a 2–3″ top of #57 or pea-grade stone. Heavy vehicles or RV pads can push the base to 14–18″ (Bovees). On clay subgrade (Southeast / Texas Gulf), build up to ≥10″ to mitigate flooding and pumping (Port Aggregates). On cold-climate frost-susceptible subgrade, extend the base toward the frost depth: northern MN/ND ~80″ deep is impractical, so design for proper drainage instead of frost-depth excavation. Compact each lift to ≥95% relative compaction per Caltrans §26 — vibratory plate compactor, water-misted, in 2–3″ loose lifts.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
Recommended on clay or soft subgrade and required under any paver base; optional on firm well-drained subgrade. ICPI Tech Spec 2 calls for a separation geotextile over fine-grained (silt or clay) subgrades to prevent the soil from pumping up through the base aggregate over time. For decorative gravel on landscape beds, a 4–6 oz non-woven landscape fabric extends service life dramatically — debris and weed seeds will press through any thinner barrier within two seasons of foot traffic. For driveways on red clay or Gulf clay, the fabric is the difference between a 10-year build and an annual re-grade. Skip it only on sand or well-drained sandy loam.
How much gravel do I need for a French drain?
Per IRC R405.1, the drain pipe (perforated 4″ corrugated or rigid) sits on at least 2″ of washed gravel and is covered by at least 6″ of the same washed gravel, with the envelope extending at least 1 foot beyond the outside edge of the footing. A typical 16″ × 16″ trench cross-section with 4″ pipe works out to about 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per linear foot of trench (after subtracting the pipe). Use ¾–1″ washed gravel — #57 or #67 per ASTM D448 is the standard call. Avoid pea gravel (rounded — does not lock together) and crusher run (fines clog drainage) inside a French drain envelope. Plug your trench L × W × D into the calculator (rectangle), pick #57 stone, set compaction OFF for drainage stone.
How many bags of gravel in a cubic yard?
54 bags. The dominant retail bag size at Home Depot and Lowe's is 0.5 cubic feet (Hunker confirms: 'A 50-pound bag of pea gravel is equivalent to 0.5 cubic foot, so two 50-pound bags cover 1 cubic foot.'). 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, so 27 ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags. At typical 100 lb/ft³ density, each 0.5 ft³ bag weighs about 50 lb, so a yard is roughly 2,700 lb / 54 bags. Practical bag-vs-bulk rule: under ½ yd³ (27 bags) bagged is the practical choice; above 2 yd³ (108 bags) bulk delivery wins on labor, time, and trips — most residential dump-truck deliveries have a 1–3 yd³ minimum.
Can you compact #57 stone?
Partly. #57 is open-graded — large angular pieces with no fines to lock them together — so it does not compact the way crusher run does. Per the Capitol Flexi-Pave AASHTO #57 spec sheet: 'Using compaction equipment, #57 stone will typically compact about one inch in vertical height, which is equivalent to about 8% settlement.' Run a vibratory plate compactor over a 4″ lift and you'll get about ¼″ of settlement — the stones reorient, not densify. For a load-bearing compacted base, use crusher run (or DGA / ABC / 21A / Class 2 base, regional names) and target ≥95% relative compaction per Caltrans §26 or 100% maximum dry density per TxDOT Tex-113-E. The calculator applies a 1.10× multiplier to open-graded stone to account for the orientation settlement.