How much gravel do I need?
Area in sq ft × depth in feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards. A 20×10 path at 4" deep needs about 2.5 cubic yards of gravel.
Gravel Calculator
Gravel projects need more depth than mulch — paths use 2–3 inches, driveways 4–6 inches after compaction. Enter your area and depth for cubic yards and optional bag counts for pea gravel.
Garden beds
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Project settings
Default 3" for mulch beds
Default 10% for settling
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Depth by application
Walking paths and patios: 2–3 inches of compacted gravel. Residential driveways: 4–6 inches total, often in two lifts with a base layer. Drainage swales may need 6+ inches depending on slope.
Switch back to mulch calculator for decorative beds at 2–4 inch depth.
Bulk vs bagged pea gravel
Landscaping supply yards sell by the cubic yard. Bagged pea gravel (often 0.5 cu ft) makes sense for small accent areas — the calculator shows both yardage and bag totals.
Compaction and ordering
Add 10% for settling and uneven subgrade. Compact in lifts with a plate compactor on driveways — ordered volume is loose; compacted volume is what you walk or drive on.
Frequently asked questions
What depth for a gravel driveway?
Driveways typically need 4–6 inches of compacted gravel. Paths and patios often use 2–3 inches. Enter your depth in project settings.
Is gravel sold by the ton or cubic yard?
Bulk gravel is usually sold by the cubic yard. Bagged pea gravel is sold in 0.5 cu ft bags — use the bag count for smaller projects.
Related calculators
Mulch Calculators · https://mulch-calculators.com/gravel-calculator/