Deciding How Much Gravel Is Needed for Your Project

Wondering how to measure how much gravel you need for your project? Not sure how much area a ton of gravel will cover? Or are you curious how much a load of gravel actually is?

These are just some of the questions you may be asking yourself when considering taking on a landscaping project with gravel.

When deciding on the amount of gravel that you’ll need, your estimate will depend greatly on the type of gravel that you choose, such as pea or crushed gravel. Keep in mind that different grades are found in particles from fine to course and can range from between 2-64mm.

Before you begin measuring, it’s important to first choose the type of gravel you’d like to use. Here we’ll take a look at how you can then go about figuring out exactly how much you’ll need.

How to Measure How Much Gravel You Need

Wondering how to work out exactly how much gravel you need? Consider first the location and total area of your project, taking as precise measurements as you can.

Once you have mapped out the scale of your project area, use the following guidelines and tools to help you calculate a more accurate measurement:

• When planning to fill in your desired space, remember that gravel should be 8-inches deep minimum.
• The following measurements are a general guide to the amount of gravel coverage per cubic yard 1 cubic yard = 3” depth for 100 square feet.
• If you’re still not sure or want to get the most accurate measurement possible, you can opt to use a gravel calculator. This will take away all of the guess work and allow you to simply input the measurements of your driveway, the amount of gravel you want depth wise, and get an exact calculation.

Using a Materials Calculator for Precise Measurement

Our materials calculator is very simple and easy to use. It contains a list of relevant materials such as gravel, mulches and topsoil, and tells you the right amount of depth to aim for per material (in inches). Some common examples include 3 inches for mulch, 1 inch for concrete bedding sand and 4-12 inches for gravel depending on your project.

If your project is your driveway, for example, first measure your driveway and then enter the calculations: length and width of the selected area (in feet), then desired depth that you want for the gravel. Hit calculate and you’ll have your answer. Say you have a 12ft by 20ft driveway and want to add a depth of gravel measuring 10 inches deep. The gravel required would be 7.41 cubic yards (approximately 8.5 tons).

Our calculator can be used for plenty of other projects as well. You may have a flower bed that you want top soil for or an island that needs filling. You can customize the options to cater them to whatever project you have in mind.

Try the calculator to measure how much gravel you need for your project and feel free to contact us if you have any questions! Also, don’t forget to subscribe today to start receiving our exclusive promotions.