Gravel Calculator

Loose bulk densities from the US EPA Standard Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors table.
Overrides the table density. A supplier ticket in tons per cubic yard divides by 27 and multiplies by 2000 to give lb/ft3.
Used when you are starting from a tonnage. The bulk density above converts it to a volume.
Typical spreads: 2-3 in of mulch, 3-4 in of decorative stone, 4-6 in of driveway gravel, 4-6 in of new topsoil.
Loose delivered gravel loses roughly 10-20% of its volume when compacted into a base.
Raised beds and garden beds are normally filled with a blend rather than one material. Set the share below.
By volume. 0 means a single material. A common raised-bed fill is roughly a third compost by volume.
Volume
2.4691 yd3
Gravel, Soil and Mulch Calculator
Area covered
200.00 ft2
Area covered
22.222 yd2
Area covered
18.581 m2
Depth
4.000 in
Volume
66.667 ft3
Volume
1.8878 m3
Order this much (rounded up to the half yard)
2.50 yd3
Bulk density used
100.00 lb/ft3
Weight
6,667 lb
Weight
3.333 ton (US short)
Weight
3.024 t (metric)
Weight
3,023.9 kg
Bags needed
134
Order this much (rounded up to the half ton)
3.5 ton (US short)
One cubic yard covers
81.00 ft2
Worked out from U.S. EPA, Standard Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (loose bulk densities for gravel, sand, stone, soil, wood chips and compost) and 3 other sources.
No compaction allowance was applied. Loose gravel and crushed stone lose roughly 10-20% of their volume once compacted into a base.
Moisture content moves bulk weight substantially. Wet sand and gravel can be 20-30% heavier than the dry figures above.

How this is worked out

6 steps
  1. Area = 20 ft x 10 ft = 200 sq ft
  2. Depth = 4 in = 0.33333 ft
  3. Volume = 200 x 0.33333 = 66.6667 cu ft = 2.4691 cu yd
  4. Density = 100 lb/ft3 (EPA table: Gravel, dry - 1 cubic foot - 100 lb (FEECO))
  5. Weight = 66.6667 x 100 = 6666.7 lb = 3.333 US short tons
  6. Bags = ceil(6666.7 lb / 50 lb) = 134

Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice.