How to calculate how much gravel you need
Gravel is a volume material, so square footage alone won't tell you how much to buy — you also need a depth. Start by measuring the length and width of the area in feet and multiplying them for the square footage. A driveway that runs 30 feet by 12 feet, for example, is 360 square feet. That number is your coverage area, and it stays the same whether you spread the gravel thin for a path or deep for a driveway.
To turn area into an order quantity, multiply the square footage by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet into cubic yards. A quick rule of thumb: one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. The calculator above does this conversion for you and also estimates tonnage, so you can order whichever way your supplier prices gravel.
Choosing the right depth for driveways and paths
Depth is the single biggest factor in how much gravel you'll need. Light-traffic garden paths and walkways only need 2 to 3 inches, while a driveway that carries vehicle weight should be laid 4 inches deep. Many driveways are built in two layers: a coarse base course of larger stone for structure, topped with a finer gravel that packs down into a smooth driving surface.
Remember that loose gravel compacts when it's rolled or driven on, losing roughly 15 to 20 percent of its loose volume. It's smart to order a little extra so you can top up low spots after the first few weeks. If you're deciding between gravel and a poured surface, compare the numbers against a concrete estimate before you buy.
Cubic yards versus tons when ordering
Suppliers sell gravel by the cubic yard (a volume) or by the ton (a weight), and switching between them trips a lot of people up. Because gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, you can multiply your cubic-yard figure by 1.4 to estimate tons. Denser crushed stone weighs a bit more, so ask your supplier for the exact conversion for the product you're buying.
Once you know the quantity, plug your price per cubic yard or per ton into the square footage cost calculator to turn the measurement into a delivered budget, including any spread or haulage fees.