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Gravel Calculator

Ready to calculate
7 Gravel Types.
Tons + Yards.
Pea + Aquarium Mode.
100% Free.
Privacy Secure.

How it Works

01Pick Gravel Type

Pea gravel, river rock, quarry process, bank run, marble chips, lava rock, or aquarium gravel.

02Area or Tank

Rectangle, circle, triangle — or flip to aquarium mode for fish tanks.

03Depth

2 in path, 3 in garden bed, 4 in driveway top, or 1 lb/gallon for aquariums.

04Tons vs Yards

Instant tons, cubic yards, weight, and cost priced both ways.

What is a Gravel Calculator?

A gravel calculator (also searched as a pea gravel calculator, gravel calculator tons, or gravel calculator yards) tells you exactly how much gravel to buy for a driveway, path, landscape bed, or aquarium. Enter your area and depth and get instant tons, cubic yards, weight, and total delivered cost — priced both by the ton and by the yard.

This tool supports seven gravel products: pea gravel (3/8"), river rock (1–2"), quarry process, bank run, white marble chips, red lava rock, and aquarium gravel. Flip to fish tank mode for the 1-lb-per-gallon aquarium rule — perfect for 10-gallon, 20-gallon, or 55-gallon tanks.

How the Gravel Calculator Works

Step 1 — Pick gravel type: Pea gravel for paths/playgrounds, quarry process for driveways, river rock for decorative beds.
Step 2 — Pick shape: Rectangle (most driveways), circle (tree rings), triangle (corners), or aquarium (fish tanks).
Step 3 — Enter dimensions & depth: 2 in path, 3 in garden bed, 4 in driveway top. Aquarium mode just needs gallons.
Step 4 — Tons and yards instantly: We show both units, weight in lb, plus delivered cost both ways.
Step 5 — Cheaper option highlighted: Green badge tells you whether the ton or the yard is cheaper for this specific job.

Gravel Volume & Weight Formula

Volume (ft³) = Area (ft²) × Depth (ft)

  • Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27
  • Weight (lb) = ft³ × density — pea gravel 96 lb/ft³, river rock 100 lb/ft³, quarry process 110 lb/ft³
  • Tons = weight ÷ 2000

For aquariums: gravel weight (lb) = tank size (gallons) × 1. A 20-gallon tank needs roughly 20 lb of aquarium gravel for a 1-inch substrate layer.

Real-World Example

Example: 20 ft × 10 ft Pea Gravel Path, 3 inches Deep

Area = 20 × 10 = 200 ft². Depth = 3 in = 0.25 ft. Volume = 200 × 0.25 = 50 ft³.

With 10% waste: 55 ft³ = 2.04 cubic yards. Weight = 5,280 lb = 2.64 tons of pea gravel.

At $55/ton the project costs ~$145 by the ton or ~$147 by the yard. For most medium-sized jobs the ton is slightly cheaper because quarries price by the ton directly.

Fish Tank Gravel Calculator — By Tank Size

If you''re using our fish tank gravel calculator, here are the common tank sizes and their substrate needs:

  • 5 gallon: ~5 lb for 1" depth, ~10 lb for 2" (planted tank)
  • 10 gallon: ~10 lb for 1" depth, ~20 lb for 2"
  • 20 gallon: ~20 lb for 1" depth, ~40 lb for 2"
  • 29 gallon: ~29 lb for 1" depth, ~55 lb for 2"
  • 55 gallon: ~55 lb for 1" depth, ~100 lb for 2"
  • 75 gallon: ~75 lb for 1" depth, ~150 lb for 2"

Rule of thumb: 1 lb of aquarium gravel per gallon = ~1 inch of substrate. For heavily planted tanks or deeper aesthetic substrates, use 2 lb/gallon.

Pea Gravel Price Per Ton & Per Yard (2025 US)

Pea gravel is one of the cheaper decorative aggregates. US 2025 averages:

  • Bulk delivered by the ton: $45–$65/ton
  • Bulk delivered by the yard: $55–$85/yd³
  • Bagged (0.5 cu ft): $5–$8 per bag at big-box stores — convenient but 4–5× more expensive than bulk
  • Decorative polished pea gravel: $90–$150/ton

For jobs over 1 ton, always order bulk from a quarry. Bagged is only cost-effective for tiny jobs under a few bags.

How Much Gravel Is a Yard? Quick Conversions

Common "how much gravel" conversions:

  • 1 cubic yard of pea gravel = ~2,600 lb = 1.3 tons
  • 1 cubic yard of river rock = ~2,700 lb = 1.35 tons
  • 1 cubic yard of quarry process = ~2,970 lb = 1.49 tons
  • 1 ton of pea gravel = ~0.77 yd³ = 20 ft² at 4" depth
  • 1 ton of river rock = ~0.74 yd³ = 19 ft² at 4" depth

Who uses a gravel calculator?

1
DIY homeowners installing pea gravel paths, garden borders, playground surfaces, and fire pit pads.
2
Landscape contractors pricing river rock beds, dry creeks, and drainage swales.
3
Aquarium owners figuring substrate weight for 10-gallon, 20-gallon, 55-gallon, and larger tanks.
4
Driveway contractors estimating quarry process (dense-grade) and bank run for budget driveways.
5
Property managers and farmers ordering gravel for barn lanes, RV pads, and cattle paths.

Gravel Type Reference — Density, Price & Best Use

TypeBest UseDensityUS Avg $/ton
Pea gravel (3/8")Paths, playgrounds, planters96 lb/ft³$55
River rock (1–2")Dry creeks, xeriscaping100 lb/ft³$65
Quarry processDriveways, compactable base110 lb/ft³$32
Bank runBudget fill, rough base105 lb/ft³$22
White marble chipsDecorative landscaping105 lb/ft³$95
Lava rock (red)Mulch replacement, fire pits40 lb/ft³$180
Aquarium gravelFish tanks (1 lb / gallon)100 lb/ft³$420

Key Takeaways

This free gravel calculator answers all the common searches in one shot — tons, yards, fish-tank gravel, and delivered cost. Enter your area or tank size now and order the right amount the first time.

Gravel Calculator FAQs

How much pea gravel do I need for my project?
Multiply length × width (feet) by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then multiply by 96 lb/ft³ for pea gravel weight and divide by 2000 to get tons. Plan on 2" depth for paths, 3" for garden beds, 4" for driveways. For a 100 ft² path at 2" depth you need about 0.80 tons of pea gravel — this calculator does it for you.
How many tons of gravel do I need per cubic yard?
One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 2,600 lb ≈ 1.29 tons. River rock is slightly heavier at 1.35 tons/yd³. Quarry process is heaviest at 1.49 tons/yd³. As a rough rule, plan on 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard of bulk gravel.
How much gravel do I need for a 10 gallon fish tank?
Use the 1-lb-per-gallon rule: a 10-gallon aquarium needs about 10 lb of aquarium gravel for a 1-inch substrate. For 2" depth use 20 lb. Sand and heavier substrates may need slightly more. This calculator has a dedicated aquarium mode — just enter tank size in gallons.
How much gravel do I need for a 20 gallon tank?
A 20-gallon fish tank needs about 20 lb of aquarium gravel for a standard 1-inch substrate, or 30–40 lb for a planted tank with 2–3 inches of depth. Always buy slightly more than needed — aquarium gravel is sold in 5-lb and 10-lb bags at most pet stores.
How much does a yard of gravel cost in 2025?
A cubic yard of pea gravel runs $55–$85 delivered in most US markets in 2025. Quarry process (cheaper) is about $35–$50/yd³. River rock (premium) is $70–$110/yd³. White marble chips are $120–$150/yd³. Always get three quotes — prices vary wildly between quarries and big-box landscape yards.
Is pea gravel sold by the ton or the yard?
Quarries almost always sell pea gravel and all other gravel types by the ton — you will get a weigh ticket at the scale. Landscape yards and big-box retailers often sell by the cubic yard, which can be a markup over the quarry price. For projects over 2 yards, call the quarry direct and buy by the ton.
How deep should pea gravel be?
Pea gravel depth depends on use: 2 inches for garden paths and walkways, 3 inches for garden beds and planters, 4 inches for playgrounds (ASTM safety standard), 6 inches for driveways, and at least 12 inches for drainage beds. Deeper layers shift less and stay level longer.
Can I use pea gravel for a driveway?
Pea gravel alone is a poor driveway surface — the smooth round stones do not lock together and will shift under tires. For driveways, use quarry process or #411 crusher run as a 4-inch compacted base, then 2 inches of angular 3/4" crushed stone on top. Save pea gravel for paths and playgrounds.
How much does a dump truck of gravel weigh?
A standard tri-axle dump truck carries 16–22 tons of gravel — about 12–16 cubic yards of pea gravel or 14–20 cubic yards of quarry process. At $55/ton for pea gravel, a full truck is roughly $880–$1,210 plus $75–$200 delivery fee depending on distance.
What is the difference between pea gravel and river rock?
Pea gravel is smaller (3/8"), smooth, and usually tan/brown — good for paths, playgrounds, and small-scale use. River rock is larger (1–2"), smooth, multi-colored, and decorative — used in dry creek beds, xeriscaping, and around plants. River rock is harder to walk on but looks more natural for landscaping accents.

Author Spotlight

The ToolsACE Team - ToolsACE.io Team

The ToolsACE Team

Our team at ToolsACE combines aggregate-industry reference data (USGS, NSSGA, supplier averages) with high-performance web tooling used by contractors, landscapers, and DIY homeowners.

USGS & NSSGA ReferencesAggregate Estimating SpecialistsSoftware Engineering Team

Disclaimer

Estimates based on typical US pricing and industry-standard gravel densities. Actual pricing varies by region, quarry, delivery distance, and bulk order thresholds. Always confirm with local suppliers before ordering.