Gravel Drive 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.
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.
Volume
7.1111 yd3
Gravel, Soil and Mulch Calculator
Area covered
480.00 ft2
Area covered
53.333 yd2
Area covered
44.593 m2
Depth
4.000 in
Volume
192.000 ft3
Volume
5.4368 m3
Order this much (rounded up to the half yard)
7.50 yd3
Bulk density used
95.00 lb/ft3
Weight
18,240 lb
Weight
9.120 ton (US short)
Weight
8.274 t (metric)
Weight
8,273.5 kg
Order this much (rounded up to the half ton)
9.5 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.
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

5 steps
  1. Area = 40 ft x 12 ft = 480 sq ft
  2. Depth = 4 in = 0.33333 ft
  3. Volume = 480 x 0.33333 x 1.2 = 192 cu ft = 7.1111 cu yd
  4. Density = 95 lb/ft3 (EPA table: Gravel, loose - 1 cubic yard - 2,565 lb (Tellus); 2565/27 = 95.0)
  5. Weight = 192 x 95 = 18240 lb = 9.12 US short tons

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