Gravel Driveway Tonnage Calculator

About this calculator

Gravel tonnage is found by first calculating the volume needed — driveway area × depth — then multiplying by the bulk density of the gravel type chosen, which typically runs around 1.5–1.7 tonnes per cubic meter for compacted crushed stone. Dividing that total tonnage by the capacity of a bulk bag, commonly around 800–1,000 kg, gives the number of bags to order.

Homeowners and landscaping contractors run this calculation before ordering because gravel is usually sold and delivered by weight, not volume, and getting the tonnage wrong means either an expensive second delivery or costly leftover material — both worth avoiding on a job where delivery charges alone can be significant. Getting the depth right matters as much as the area: a driveway sub-base typically needs a deeper layer than a decorative top-dressing layer, and mixing up the two is a common source of underestimating.

This calculator takes your driveway area, chosen depth and gravel density, and returns the tonnes needed and the number of bulk bags to order.