Gravel calculator
How much gravel do you need?
Enter the length, width and depth of your path or bed to get the volume in cubic yards, a bagged alternative, and an estimated cost either way.
Enter your area
National average is $50–$80 per cubic yard, bulk delivered — edit it to match your local supplier.
Results
- Volume needed
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- Recommended order
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- Estimated cost
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Bagged alternative
- 0.5 cu ft bags—
Bag count includes your waste % and rounds up to whole bags.
Estimates only — confirm final quantities with your landscape or building supplier before ordering.
How it's calculated
Area × depth, converted to yards.
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard in bulk, by the ton, or bagged in small fixed volumes. We use volume (area × depth) the same way as mulch and topsoil, since that's what determines coverage regardless of how your supplier prices it — ask them to convert to tons if that's how they sell.
FAQ
Common questions
How deep should a gravel path or bed be?
2 inches is typical for a decorative bed or walking path. A gravel driveway or base course under pavers or a slab usually needs 4 inches or more — see our base-course guidance on the patio and driveway calculators.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
Yes, for most beds and paths — a fabric or weed barrier keeps gravel from sinking into the soil and slows weed growth coming up through it.
What's the difference between this and the concrete base-course gravel?
This calculator is for decorative or path gravel at a shallow depth. If you're estimating the compacted base beneath a concrete slab, patio or driveway, use the gravel base estimate built into those calculators instead — it uses a standard 4-inch base depth.
Should I buy gravel in bulk or bags?
Bagged gravel (about 0.5 cu ft per bag) works fine for small beds or top-ups. Bulk delivery is cheaper per cubic yard for anything covering more than a couple hundred square feet.
Building something else?