Home Improvement
Gravel Calculator
Enter length, width and depth to estimate volume, bags and optional cost.
Gravel
Decorative gravel and driveway stone are sold by volume: the same footprint at 5 cm versus 10 cm roughly doubles the order. Paths often sit around 4–5 cm; vehicle areas usually need a deeper, well-compacted build-up that this tool will only size if you enter that full fill depth. Add waste for uneven ground, edges and settlement, then convert litres to the bag or bulk size you are buying. Self-binding and angular gravels compact differently, so the calculator is a quantity aid rather than a civil-engineering base design. For the sand bed underneath many paths use the sand calculator, and for hard paving overlays see the patio slab tool.
Worked example
A 5 × 3 m path at 5 cm is 0.75 m³ before waste. With 10% extra ≈ 0.825 m³ (825 L). At 20 L per bag → 42 bags.
Limits and assumptions
Ignores sub-base design, geotextile choice and drainage falls. Density (tonnes per m³) varies by stone — merchants may quote weight instead of volume.
Frequently asked questions
Do I order weed membrane here?
No — membrane is bought by area. Calculate the plan area separately from gravel depth.
Path depth versus drive depth?
Drives usually need a thicker, compacted build. Enter the depth your driveway guide specifies, not a decorative path skim.
Tonne or cubic metre?
Ask the supplier for density if they sell by tonne. This page works in volume (m³ / litres).
Are edgings included in the area?
Measure only the surface you will fill. Edging products are a separate line item.