Gravel Calculator: How much gravel do you need.

Gravel Calculator:

This gravel calculator finds how much gravel you need to cover a desired rectangular or circular area to a certain depth. Also, it takes cost per unit to calculate the total amount of gravel (aggregate) you require for your construction project.

How Much Gravel Do I Need?

There are two ways to determine the amount of gravel required to cover an area:

1. Using The Formulas:

To know the amount of gravel needed, it's necessary to determine both the volume of the space (area) and the weight of the material. This volume ensures you have enough material to cover the entire space. And, the weight of the gravel is helpful for other purposes, such as calculating transport costs, etc.

Volume:

The Volume of A Square or Rectangular Space:

$\text{Volume of Rectangular = Length x Width x Depth}$

Volume of a Circular Space:

$\ 3.14\ \times ( \frac{diameter}{2}) ^ {2} \ \times depth$

Gravel Weight:

$\text{Weight = Volume (cubic yards) x Density (cubic yards)}$

Note: Make sure to use the same units for all measurements.

Example:

Suppose you have to work on a rectangular driveway with a length of 20 feet, a width of 10 feet, and a desired depth of 5 inches. The gravel you want to use has a density of 104.88 lb/ft³. And, the cost of the gravel per ton is $100. Find out how much gravel (Volume & Weight) you need to complete the project and the estimated cost of gravel.

Solution:

Given that:

Length = 20 feet
Width = 10 feet
Depth = 5 inches = $\frac{5}{12}$ = 0.416667 feet
Gravel Density = 104.88 lb/ft³
Cost of the gravel per ton = $ 100

By Adding Values In The Volume Formula:

$\text {Volume = 20 ft x 10 ft x 0.416667 ft}$

$\text {Volume = 83.3334 ft³}$

Calculate Gravel Weight:

1 ton = 2000 lb

$\ Weight =\frac{Volume (cubic\ feet)\times\ \ Density(in\ lb/ft³)}{2000}$

$\ Weight =\frac{83.3334\ \times\ \ 104.88}{2000}$

$\ Weight =\ 4.370003496\ tons $

Calculate The Cost:

$\text{ Cost = Weight (tons) x Price per ton}$

$\text{Cost = 4.370003496 tons x 100 = $ 437.0003496 ≈ $ 437}$

Cost ≈ $ 437

Here, you can also try a gravel cost calculator that takes the price per unit of gravel and calculates the total cost.

2. The Gravel Calculator:

Access the calculator from calculator-online.net
Choose the area that you need to fill up with gravel
Add the gravel material details
Click the “Calculate” button
Get the estimated volume and weight of the gravel
The total cost of the gravel (optional)

Remember that:

It is suggested to buy slightly more gravel than your estimated amount to account for the waste, spillage, or underestimation. You should consider buying around 5-10% extra
Our gravel estimator is good for basic gravel estimations. If you are going to work on a complex project or uneven surfaces then, it's better to consult with a professional

Why Is It Important To Use The Right Amount of Gravel?

1. Cost Effectiveness:

Too Little Gravel: If you underestimate the amount of gravel needed, later you will have to purchase more quantity at a different price or will have to pay additional delivery costs
Too Much Gravel: If you will buy a huge amount of gravel then the excess amount will go to waste and will cost you extra money

2. Functionality:

Too Little Gravel: If you are working on a driveway project, using too little gravel will not let you create a strong sub-base for the driveway
- Uneven Surfaces: Having a weak sub-base will form uneven surfaces
- Instability: It will be difficult to walk or drive on or allow weeds to grow through
- Poor Drainage: The uneven surface will let the water stay on the surface. It can cause drainage issues, leading to puddles or erosion

Too Much Gravel: A deep layer of gravel will make it difficult to walk or drive on. It will be a waste of resource

3. Aesthetics:

Using too much gravel for a driveway project will give a bulky and overwhelming look. On the other hand, if you use less amount, then it will look unfinished and sparse.

4. Safety:

The proper depth of gravel is necessary to form a stable surface. Using too little amount of gravel can create unevenness and can be a reason for potential safety hazards That is why it is necessary to use the right amount of gravel for your project. The use of a gravel calculator is very helpful in purchasing the optimal amount of gravel for your needs, reducing the risk of overspending or running out of materials.

FAQ’s:

How Much Does A Yard of Gravel Weigh?

A cubic yard of gravel weighs between 2200 to 2900 pounds. There are a couple of reasons behind the variation including:

The Type of Gravel: Denser gravels, like basaltic rock, will weigh more than lighter rock gravels
Moisture Content: Wet gravel will have more weight as compared to dry gravel
Particle Size: The size of the rocks also impacts the weight of the gravel. Larger, denser rocks have a higher weight per cubic yard compared to smaller rocks

How Much Will 1 Ton of Gravel Cover?

The area covered by a ton of gravel depends on the depth of the gravel. As a general estimate, one ton of gravel can cover:

Approximately 100 square feet at a 2-inch depth
Approximately 80 square feet at a 3-inch depth

It's important to consider that the actual coverage can be slightly affected by the size of the gravel.

How Many Inches of Gravel Should You Have?

The ideal depth of the gravel depends upon its application. However, a minimum depth range of 2 - 4 inches is good to serve as a baseline. While some applications may require more or less depth of the gravel.

Crushed Rock Coverage Per Ton:

Material	Suggested Depth	Coverage Area per 1 ton
3”-8” rock	3”-8”	60 square feet
1”-3” rock	1”-3”	80 square feet
3/4”-1” screened gravel	2”	100 square feet
5/8”-1/2” screened gravel	2”	120 square feet
1/4-3/8” screened gravel	2”	140 square feet

References:

From the source of Wikipedia: Gravel, Types, Geological Formation, Modern Production, and much more!

From the site of basalconstruction: How much gravel you need for your driveway?