Gravel Driveway Calculator — Volume & Weight
Find out exactly how much gravel to order for a driveway, path or garden bed. Enter the length, width and depth, choose the bulk density for your gravel type, and the calculator returns the volume in cubic metres and yards, the weight in tonnes and kg, and an optional cost estimate if you supply a price per tonne.
Unit system
m
m
cm
kg/m³
Metric tonnes required for the specified area and depth
- 1
Volume (m³)
10 × 3 × 0.1 = 3 m³ - 2
Weight (kg)
3 × 1,500 = 4,500 kg - 3
Weight (tonnes)
4,500 ÷ 1000 = 4.50
How does this calculator work?
Volume = Length × Width × Depth; Weight (tonnes) = Volume × density ÷ 1000. A 10 m × 3 m driveway with 10 cm of standard gravel (1,500 kg/m³) needs 3 m³ and 4.5 tonnes. Add 5–10 % for waste and settling.
Formula
How this is calculated
Gravel is sold and delivered by weight (metric tonnes or short tons), but the area you want to cover is easiest to measure in length × width × depth. The calculator converts those three measurements to a volume in cubic metres, then multiplies by the bulk density to get the total weight.
Bulk density varies by gravel type: rounded pea gravel and river gravel sit at roughly 1,400–1,500 kg/m³; angular crushed granite or limestone can reach 1,600–1,700 kg/m³. The default of 1,500 kg/m³ is a good midpoint for most decorative and driveway gravels. Adjust the field if your supplier quotes a different figure on their product data sheet.
For depth, a residential driveway typically needs 10–15 cm (4–6 in) of compacted gravel for stability and drainage; a garden path can manage with 5–8 cm on a prepared weed-fabric-covered base. Always order 5–10 % more than the raw calculation suggests to allow for uneven subgrade, settlement and edge waste. If you enter a price per tonne, the cost estimate simply multiplies the calculated weight in tonnes by that price.
Frequently asked questions
A standard residential driveway needs at least 10 cm (4 in) of compacted gravel — 15 cm (6 in) is better for heavier vehicles or soft ground. A decorative garden path can get by with 5–8 cm on a prepared, weed-fabric-covered base. Enter the planned depth and the calculator shows the exact tonnage.
Bulk density is the mass of loose gravel per cubic metre of space, including air between particles. Use ≈ 1,400 kg/m³ for light rounded pea gravel, ≈ 1,500 kg/m³ as a general default, or 1,600–1,700 kg/m³ for dense angular crushed stone or granite. Your supplier or their product data sheet should list the exact figure.
The stat grid shows cubic yards directly. For US short tons, divide the metric tonne result by 0.907 (1 short ton ≈ 0.907 metric tonnes). Most North American suppliers quote by the short ton; UK and European suppliers typically use metric tonnes.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Gravel Driveway Calculator — Volume & Weight [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/gravel-driveway-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Gravel Driveway Calculator — Volume & Weight." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/gravel-driveway-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Gravel Driveway Calculator — Volume & Weight," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/gravel-driveway-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_gravel_driveway_calculator, title = {Gravel Driveway Calculator — Volume & Weight}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/gravel-driveway-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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