Gravel Calculator

Gravel is a mixture of stone chips of various sizes, which may either be naturally occurring due to erosion processes or artificially created as a result of crushing bigger stones is widely used for driveways, walkways, landscaping projects, drainage and other purposes.

If you plan on working with gravel, it is essential to know how much gravel you need. Too little material will leave your work unfinished while excessive amounts will raise your expenses. Our Gravel Calculator will help you estimate the necessary amount of gravel depending on the size of the area you are planning to cover and the depth of the gravel.

How Much Gravel Do I Need?

The amount of gravel needed depends primarily on three dimensions:

• Length of the area
• Width of the area
• Depth of the gravel

You should first find out the length and the width of the area you want to cover with gravel and decide the depth of the layer. Multiply the three values in order to get the required volume of gravel.

For instance, you have an area with dimensions 20 feet x 10 feet covered with a layer of gravel 3 inches thick. You can use these data to determine the required volume of gravel.

It should be noted that gravel can be purchased by the volume, measured in cubic yards or cubic feet or by the weight depending on the seller. Weight varies according to the density of gravel type.

Our Gravel Calculator will help you estimate the volume and the weight of the required amount of gravel.

What Is Gravel Used for?

Gravel is one of the most popular landscaping and construction materials. Installation of it is relatively easy besides, it has good drainage properties and is available in various sizes and designs.

Some of the common uses of gravel include:

Driveways

The use of gravel in driveways is very common since it is relatively inexpensive and also easy to install. Different layers of gravel may be used to create a firm surface capable of bearing vehicles.

Walkways and Paths

Small and smooth stones may be used to create a pathway or garden walkway. Pea gravel and other rounded stones are common in such applications because they make walkways more comfortable than other types of stones.

Landscaping

Gravel can be used around flower beds, trees, patios, and other landscape structures. There is a wide variety of gravel in different colors and sizes which can be used to create borders and separation of various parts of the yard.

Drainage

This is one of the most common places of use of gravel since it allows water to move from one place to another. The spaces between different stones can accommodate water and make it suitable for use in drainage and other situations where excess water is present.

Patios

Gravel can be used in the creation of patios as a surface material or base material.

Types of Gravel

Different types of gravels exist, but their selection will depend on the project that you intend to build. These differences come in form of the sizes, shape, texture, color, and production method.

Some of the common varieties of gravel include:

Pea Gravel

This is small, round stones that are commonly used for walkways, patios, gardens, and landscaping.

River Rock

This is another type of stone, and they are naturally formed and therefore smooth and larger. These stones are normally used for decorative purposes, for drainage, and around water ponds.

Crushed Stone

These stones are manufactured by crushing stones into smaller pieces, and their rough edges make them good for compaction and hence ideal for driveways, roadways, constructions, and foundations.

Bank Gravel

This is another natural form of gravel that may contain other materials besides the gravel.

Gravel vs Crushed Stone

Although gravel and crushed stone are sometimes used as synonyms, the two materials are not always identical.

The natural gravel is usually obtained during weathering and erosion processes, resulting in smooth and rounded particles. Crushed stones are produced mechanically from larger rocks, so that these particles have sharp angles.

Such distinctions are crucial when choosing one material or another for the project. The rounded gravel can be used for decorating purposes and walking paths, whereas the angular particles can better fit for driveways or construction base.

Gravel Depth

The appropriate depth of the layer of the gravel is determined based on the particular project and the material that is chosen for it.

Thus, the layer of the gravel designed for decorating purposes will not require as much material as the driveway meant for cars. As a rule, several inches of the gravel is used in the case of residential projects. Nevertheless, the depth of the layer may differ significantly depending on the purpose of the construction, soil, water drainage, etc.

If you need an accurate estimate of the quantity of the gravel you need, enter your data in the Gravel Calculator.

How to Calculate Gravel?

To calculate the gravel, you need to multiply the length, width and the depth of the layer:

Length x Width x Depth = Volume of Gravel

It is important to make sure that all measurements have the same units. Thus, if you measure the length and width in feet, you should also calculate the depth in feet.

Next, you can estimate the weight of the gravel by multiplying its volume by the density of the chosen material.

The weight of the gravel may differ from the estimation provided by the calculator since the density of the material changes depending on moisture and its type.

Therefore, it is reasonable to verify the density and coverage information with your supplier for large projects.

Gravel Price

The price of the gravel depends on the following factors:

• Type of gravel
• Amount of material
• Location
• Supplier
• Distance between the supplier and the site
• If the gravel is measured by weight or volume

A calculator will help you to estimate the amount of the material you need, however, there may be other expenses related to the project.

Gravel Order Tips

Before you start your order for gravel, ensure that you have done an accurate measurement of your project and the depth required. There is also room for a little variance due to any inconsistencies caused by an uneven surface and density difference between materials.

In case you are not sure what kind of gravel to go for, try thinking about the usage of the material. This could be very different for a decorative garden walkway than for a vehicle driveway and drainage application.