3/4 Gravel Calculator, Tons, Yards, Weight and Cost
Estimate how much 3/4 inch gravel you need for a driveway, paver base, drainage trench, patio subbase, or general aggregate fill. This calculator converts project dimensions into cubic feet, cubic yards, pounds, tons, bag counts, and material cost using standard volume formulas and adjustable density assumptions.
Calculate 3/4 Gravel Needed
Enter your project dimensions, target depth, and material settings to estimate gravel quantity, weight, and cost.
How This 3/4 Gravel Calculator Works
The calculator first converts your dimensions into square feet or linear trench area, then multiplies by depth in feet to get cubic feet. It then divides by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, which is the standard supplier ordering unit for aggregate volume.
Weight is estimated from selected density. Cost is then calculated from tons multiplied by price per ton, plus any delivery fee. You can also add waste or compaction allowance so the order quantity better matches field conditions.
3/4 Gravel Quick Reference
Volume Conversion
1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, the standard conversion used by gravel calculators and suppliers.
Typical Density
A practical field range for 3/4 inch gravel is about 1.2 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, depending on source and moisture.
Supplier Example
Gravelshop lists #57 drainage gravel, about 3/4 inch, at 2,410 pounds per cubic yard.
Typical Depth
Calculator.net notes that 2 to 4 inches is a workable baseline for many gravel applications.
Reference Data for Ordering
| Reference Item | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 ft³ | Required for converting measured project volume to supplier ordering units. |
| 3/4 gravel practical density range | 1.20 - 1.40 tons/yd³ | Useful starting range when your quarry ticket is not available yet. |
| Gravelshop #57 example density | 2,410 lb/yd³, about 1.21 tons/yd³ | Verified supplier reference for a common 3/4 inch style product. |
| Typical extra material allowance | 5% - 15% | Helps cover compaction, grading variation, and unavoidable loss. |
| #57 settlement reference | About 8% | AASHTO #57 style stone is often estimated with settlement after orientation and vibration. |
What 3/4 Gravel Is Used For
3/4 inch gravel is common for driveways, drainage blankets, paver subbase layers, trench backfill, and general aggregate cover. In many markets it is sold as #57 stone or a closely related gradation, though local naming can vary by quarry and region.
This size drains well, locks reasonably under traffic, and is often selected where you need a coarse aggregate layer rather than sand or stone dust. If you are pricing alternate base materials, you can also compare the numbers with a gravel calculator, crushed stone calculator, or 57 stone calculator.
Sample Calculation
Example, a 20 ft by 12 ft driveway section at 4 inches deep has an area of 240 square feet. Convert depth to feet, 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft, then multiply 240 × 0.333 = about 80 cubic feet.
Convert that to cubic yards, 80 ÷ 27 = 2.96 cubic yards. Using 1.30 tons per cubic yard, the estimated weight is 2.96 × 1.30 = 3.85 tons. With 10% extra, the order quantity becomes about 4.24 tons, which most suppliers would round up based on truck loading and sales increments.
Planning Note
If you are building a paver base or slab support layer, you may also want to compare excavation depth and adjacent materials using the excavation calculator, subbase calculator, and base material calculator.
Common Ordering Mistakes
Using square feet alone without multiplying by depth. Gravel is sold by volume or weight, so area is only the first step.
Mixing inches and feet without conversion. Depth in inches must be converted to feet before volume can be calculated correctly.
Ordering by cubic yards when the supplier sells by ton, then assuming every gravel type weighs the same. Density changes by stone source, moisture, and gradation.
Ignoring compaction or settlement. Supplier calculators commonly include additional material for compression, and open graded stone can settle after placement.
Using the same depth for every project. A decorative path, a driveway wearing layer, and a drainage trench often need different thicknesses.
Project Context and Code Notes
For slab and base assemblies, ACI 302.1R states that a graded, granular, compactible material is normally used for fine grading and thickness control below slabs. That does not mean one universal gravel depth fits every project, because final section thickness depends on soil conditions, load, frost exposure, drainage, and the surface system above.
On projects involving compacted fill and structural support, code requirements can trigger geotechnical review and special inspection. A 2024 City of Phoenix code interpretation summarizing 2024 IBC and IRC requirements notes special inspection for fill placement and confirms that compacted fill may need verification against ASTM D1557 density criteria in applicable cases.
For adjacent project budgeting, you may also compare surface options with the gravel driveway cost calculator, then compare hardscape alternatives such as a paver calculator or concrete driveway calculator.
3/4 Gravel Calculator FAQ
A common estimating range is about 1.2 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Gravelshop lists one #57 drainage gravel product at 2,410 lb per cubic yard, which converts to about 1.21 tons per cubic yard.
Multiply area by depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For rectangles, that is length × width × depth in feet, then ÷ 27.
Many estimators use 5% to 15% extra for compaction, uneven grade, and waste. CalculatorSoup explicitly recommends that range, and supplier tools often show an added compression amount in the final ordering result.
Yes, it is commonly used where water movement matters because coarse aggregate leaves void space for drainage. That is one reason 3/4 inch and #57 style stone are frequently used around drains and under certain hardscape layers.
Yes. Use the trench option if your project is long and narrow. For more drainage-specific planning, compare your result with the French drain gravel calculator, drainage rock calculator, or drain rock calculator.
Most quarries and yards invoice aggregate by weight because the scale ticket is easier to verify than loose volume in a truck body. This calculator shows both cubic yards and tons so you can order in the format your supplier uses.
Sources and Methodology
- Calculator.net Gravel Calculator, volume method, area × depth, cubic yard conversion, and 2 to 4 inch baseline guidance.
- CalculatorSoup Gravel Calculator, formulas for cubic feet, cubic yards, density conversion, and the 5% to 15% extra material recommendation.
- Gravelshop #57 Drainage Gravel, supplier density reference of 2,410 lb per cubic yard, 1.21 tons per cubic yard, and compression-based ordering output.
- ACI 302.1R-15, guidance that a graded, granular, compactible material is normally used beneath slabs for grading and thickness control.
- City of Phoenix 2024 IBC / IRC interpretation document, fill placement and special inspection context, including compacted fill verification references tied to ASTM D1557 and IBC 1705.6.
- AASHTO #57 Stone Specs, open-graded #57 stone description and typical 8% vertical settlement reference after vibration and orientation.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. For permitted structural work, foundations, multi-story construction, retaining walls over 4 feet, and commercial projects, calculations must be verified by a licensed structural engineer per IBC 2024 §1604. ConcreteCalculate.com is not liable for structural decisions made from these estimates.
Privacy Note
This tool is designed for estimation only. Inputs are used to calculate results in your browser workflow and are not intended for account creation, lead capture, or stored project records.
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