Cubic Yards of Gravel Calculator
Find out how many cubic yards of gravel you need. Enter the area in square feet (or use length × width) and the depth in inches — the calculator returns the gravel in cubic yards, plus tonnes, cubic metres and an optional cost.
Cubic Yards of Gravel Calculator Tool
How to calculate cubic yards of gravel
Gravel is usually sold and delivered by the cubic yard (yd³) in North America. To work out yardage by hand:
- Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them to get square feet.
- Convert the depth from inches to feet (inches ÷ 12).
- Multiply area × depth to get cubic feet.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27
Depth ft = Depth inches ÷ 12
Example
A 500 ft² area at 3 inches deep: 500 × (3 ÷ 12) = 125 ft³. Then 125 ÷ 27 ≈ 4.6 cubic yards of gravel.
Cubic yards of gravel per area (at common depths)
| Area | 2" deep | 3" deep | 4" deep | 6" deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 0.6 yd³ | 0.9 yd³ | 1.2 yd³ | 1.9 yd³ |
| 250 ft² | 1.5 yd³ | 2.3 yd³ | 3.1 yd³ | 4.6 yd³ |
| 500 ft² | 3.1 yd³ | 4.6 yd³ | 6.2 yd³ | 9.3 yd³ |
| 1000 ft² | 6.2 yd³ | 9.3 yd³ | 12.3 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ |
1 cubic yard of typical gravel weighs roughly 1.1–1.4 tonnes (1.2–1.5 US tons).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate yards of gravel?
Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For depth in inches, divide inches by 12 first. The calculator above does this automatically.
How many square feet does a yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 ft² at 2 inches deep, 108 ft² at 3 inches, or 81 ft² at 4 inches deep.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of typical gravel weighs about 1.1–1.4 tonnes (roughly 2,400–3,000 lb), depending on the gravel type and moisture.
How many yards of gravel in a tonne?
Roughly 0.7–0.9 cubic yards per tonne for typical gravel. Wet or dense stone gives fewer yards per tonne.
More gravel calculators
Disclaimer: Results are estimates based on the values you enter and typical material densities. Actual quantities vary with gravel type, particle size, moisture and compaction. Cost estimates cover material only and exclude labour, delivery and taxes. Confirm quantities with your supplier.