Guide
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Gravel is sold by volume, so the answer always comes back to length × width × depth. Here's how to get to a reliable number.
Measure the area
Measure length and width in feet. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and add them together.
Choose a depth
- Driveway top-up: commonly 2–3 inches
- New driveway base: deeper, and often built in layers
- Shed or pad base: commonly 4 inches of compacted material
- Drainage trench: depth set by the trench itself
Convert to cubic yards
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27. The gravel calculator does this for you.
Allow for compaction
Compacted gravel loses volume. Adding roughly 10 percent avoids coming up short. Compaction differs between products, so confirm the figure with the supplier stocking your material.
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