Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator
Gravel Cubic Yards Calculator
Plan your gravel project confidently with the Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator at CalculatorGravel.com. This free, easy-to-use tool delivers precise volume estimates in cubic yards for driveways, landscaping, construction, and erosion control.
Supporting multiple shapes rectangle, square, circle, triangle, annulus and both US feet/inches and metric meters/cm units, it’s ideal for homeowners, contractors, and landscapers in the USA, Canada, and UK. With real-time results and optional cost estimates, you’ll save time, money, and materials.
Why Is the Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator ?
The Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator focuses solely on calculating gravel volume in cubic yards, the standard unit for bulk materials in the USA and Canada, where 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). Unlike the broader Gravel Calculator, which cover weight, cost, or other materials, this tool is designed for precise volume calculations across specific shapes. This makes it a perfect companion for projects like:
- Driveways: Plan a durable base with the right depth.
- Landscaping: Create patios, paths, or garden beds.
- Construction: Estimate gravel for foundations or drainage.
- Erosion Control: Calculate riprap for slopes or shorelines.
By focusing on volume, it complements the Gravel Calculator without overlap, similar to how RockUtah offers shape-specific tools.
How to Use the Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator
Our cubic yard calculator is fast and simple. Follow these steps:
Example: A 12 ft × 8 ft patio with a 4-inch depth needs ~1.19 cubic yards. The calculator uses the fact that 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, per ISO 14688.
Features That Make Planning Easy for Cubic yard
Our Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator includes top features, inspired by Inch Calculator:
Common Gravel Types and Uses
Choosing the right gravel ensures project success. Below are types, densities, and uses, verified by Serbu.ca and ISO 14688:
| Gravel Type | Density (lbs/cu yd) | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 2,800–3,200 | Garden paths, decorative beds |
| Crushed Stone | 2,700–3,000 | Driveways, foundations, roads |
| River Rock | 2,600–2,900 | Landscaping, water features |
| Decomposed Granite | 2,600–2,800 | Patios, walkways |
| Quarry Process Gravel | 2,800–3,200 | Sub-bases, driveways |
| Limestone Screenings | 2,700–3,000 | Base layers, paver bedding |
Gravel ranges from 2–63 mm per the Udden-Wentworth scale. Pea gravel (2–6.3 mm) compacts significantly, needing a 10% overage, per Stoneco.
Volume Formulas Behind the Cubic yard Calculator
Our calculator uses these accurate formulas:
Convert depth to feet (inches ÷ 12) or meters (cm ÷ 100). Example: A circular patio (10 ft diameter, 3 inches deep) yields: π × (5²) × (3/12) ÷ 27 ≈ 0.73 cubic yards, per RockUtah. For metric, 1 cubic meter ≈ 1.30795 cubic yards.
Gravel Coverage and Depth Tips
Proper depth ensures durability, per Nimbus Landscape Materials:
- Walkways/Patios: 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) for pea gravel or decomposed granite.
- Driveways: 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) for crushed stone; 6–8 inches for heavy traffic.
- Erosion Control: 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) of riprap.
Coverage:
- 1 cubic yard covers ~162 sq ft at 2 inches.
- ~108 sq ft at 3 inches.
- ~81 sq ft at 4 inches.
Add 10–15% overage for compaction. Angular gravel e.g., crushed stone compacts by 20–30% due to its interlocking shape, while rounded gravel e.g., pea gravel may settle less but fluffs initially. A 10–15% overage accounts for this, ensuring you order enough material.
Plan Your Gravel Delivery
Delivery capacities, per industry standards:
- Pickup Truck: 0.5–1 cubic yard (e.g., Ford F-150).
- Small Dump Truck: 5–6 cubic yards.
- Large Dump Truck: 10–12 cubic yards.
For UK users, results in kilograms or bags (e.g., ~40 bags of 25 kg pea gravel per cubic yard) align with local sales.
Gravel Costs by Region
Average prices, per Stoneco:
Use the calculator’s cost feature for local estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I calculate cubic yards of gravel?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) and divide by 27. Example: 10 ft × 10 ft × 0.25 ft (3 inches) = 25 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.93 cubic yards. Our calculator does this instantly.
What is a cubic yard of gravel?
It’s 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft) or ~0.764 cubic meters, used for bulk orders, per Calculatorsoup.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
~162 sq ft at 2 inches; ~81 sq ft at 4 inches, per industry standards.
What depth is best for a driveway?
4–6 inches for the base (crushed stone) plus 2–3 inches for the top, per Stoneco.
Can I use metric units?
Yes, input meters/cm for UK/Canada, with results in cubic meters and cubic yards, per Stones4Gardens.
How many bags equal a cubic yard?
Varies by size; ~40 bags of 25 kg pea gravel per cubic yard for UK users, per Stones4Gardens.
Tips for Great Gravel Projects
- Measure Accurately: Use widest points, per Burien Sand & Gravel.
- Order Extra: Add 10–15% for compaction, per Gravelshop.
- Pick the Right Gravel: Crushed stone for driveways, pea gravel for paths
- Break Down Shapes: Split irregular areas into rectangles/circles
- Use Correct Units: Cubic yards for USA/Canada, cubic meters or bags for UK.
The Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator at CalculatorGravel.com is your top choice for precise volume estimates, perfect for landscaping, driveways, and construction in the USA, Canada, and UK. Its unique focus, accurate features, and user-friendly design make it a standout companion to our Gravel Calculator. Try it now and plan with confidence!