Gravel Cost Calculator
A gravel cost calculator prices a job as cubic yards times your rate plus $1 per sq ft labor: a 20 × 10 ft area at 4 in deep comes to $298.77.
Gravel cost calculator: how the price is built
A gravel cost calculator turns an area and a depth into cubic yards, multiplies by your price per yard, and adds a labor allowance for spreading. This one uses three steps: volume, material cost, labor cost. The default price is $40 per cubic yard, and labor is built in at $1.00 per square foot.
Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Material = cubic yards × price per yard. Labor = length × width × $1.00. Total = material + labor.
What the calculator does not add
There is no waste allowance and no delivery fee. You get the net volume for the exact area you typed. If you want a cushion for settling, raise the dimensions a little or add the percentage to your price after the fact. For tonnage, use the gravel calculator first, which converts yards to tons and adds 10%.
Worked examples
Example 1, the default job. 20 ft × 10 ft, 4 in deep, $40 per cubic yard.
- Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume: 200 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Material: 2.469 × $40 = $98.77
- Labor: 200 × $1.00 = $200.00
- Total: $298.77
Example 2, a supplier quotes by the ton. 30 ft × 12 ft, 6 in deep, $50 per ton for standard gravel.
- Price per yard: $50 × 1.4 = $70 per yd³
- Volume: 360 sq ft × 0.5 ft ÷ 27 = 6.67 yd³
- Material: 6.667 × $70 = $466.67
- Labor: 360 × $1.00 = $360.00
- Total: $826.67
Notice that labor is the bigger line in example 1. On small jobs the labor allowance matters more than the stone.
Converting a per-ton quote to per-yard
| Price per ton | Standard gravel (1.4 t/yd³) | Crusher run (1.5 t/yd³) |
|---|---|---|
| $30 | $42.00 per yd³ | $45.00 per yd³ |
| $40 | $56.00 per yd³ | $60.00 per yd³ |
| $50 | $70.00 per yd³ | $75.00 per yd³ |
| $60 | $84.00 per yd³ | $90.00 per yd³ |
These are conversions, not market prices. Local gravel prices swing with quarry distance, so always use a current quote.
Cost by area and depth
Material only, at $40 per cubic yard and no labor.
| Area | 2 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | $24.69 | $49.38 | $74.07 |
| 200 sq ft | $49.38 | $98.77 | $148.15 |
| 500 sq ft | $123.46 | $246.91 | $370.37 |
Each row doubles from 2 to 4 inches and triples by 6 inches, because the volume scales with depth.
How to measure
Measure length and width in feet with a tape. For an odd shape, break it into rectangles, run each through the calculator, and add the totals. Measure the depth you want after compaction, in inches. For a sloped or curved area, take three widths and use the average.
Common mistakes
- Entering a price per ton in the price box. The field wants a price per cubic yard, so convert first.
- Forgetting delivery. Some yards charge a flat fee that can rival the stone cost on a small order.
- Ignoring the base. A driveway needs layers of different stone sizes, each with its own price.
- Measuring depth before the gravel is compacted. Loose gravel settles, so a little extra helps.
Trimming the budget
The labor line is where most of the savings sit. If you rent a wheelbarrow and spread the stone yourself, the $200 in example 1 drops away and you pay $98.77 plus delivery. Splitting a big order into two small ones rarely helps, because each delivery may carry its own fee. Ask the yard whether pickup in your own trailer is cheaper per yard than delivery, and whether the price changes for a full truckload.
Related tools
The gravel driveway cost calculator prices full driveway builds. The cubic yards to tons calculator handles the unit switch on its own, and the gravel calculator gives tons with the waste allowance included.
Frequently asked questions
My supplier quoted a price per ton. How do I convert that to price per cubic yard?
Multiply the per-ton price by the tons in a cubic yard. This site uses 1.4 tons per yd³ for standard gravel, so $50 per ton becomes $70 per cubic yard. Crusher run is heavier at about 1.5 tons per yd³, so $50 per ton works out to $75 per yd³. Ask your supplier for the actual weight they use.
What does the labor rate cover here?
The calculator adds $1.00 for every square foot of the area, a flat allowance for spreading and leveling. On a 200 sq ft area that is $200. If you spread the gravel yourself, subtract it and look at the material figure alone, which is $98.77 for the default job.
What depth of gravel should I budget for?
Walkways and decorative beds usually take 2 to 3 inches. Patio and shed bases run 4 to 6 inches. A driveway built from scratch is often 8 inches or more in compacted layers. Deeper means more cubic yards, and cost rises in a straight line with depth.
Does this include delivery fees?
No. Many yards charge a separate delivery or minimum-load fee, and small orders can cost more per yard. Add the supplier's delivery quote to the total, or enter a slightly higher price per cubic yard to cover it.
Is this the same math as the Gravel Calculator?
The volume math is the same, but this one prices in cubic yards and does not add the 10% waste allowance or convert to tons. If you want to order by weight, use the gravel calculator first and come back here to budget the labor.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.