RightQty

Aggregates & landscaping

Driveway gravel calculator

Plan separate base and surface layers, then account for volume lost during compaction and ordinary ordering overage.

Driveway measurements

Calculate both gravel layers

Measurement system
Use zero if you are only resurfacing.
Two-layer driveway measurement diagramA rectangular driveway labeled length and width, with separate surface and base layer depths.LengthWidthSurfaceBase
Enter finished compacted depth for each layer. Use zero for a layer you do not need.
A compactable blend of stone and fines commonly used in base layers.
A general planning profile for graded surface gravel.
15% loss means loose material is ordered to reach the entered compacted depths.
Overage

Covers spillage, uneven depth, settling, and minor measurement differences.

Optional material costUSD prices per cubic yard

Material only; delivery, site preparation, equipment, and labor are not included.

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Your driveway estimate

Order each driveway layer separately

Base and surface are different products. Each volume below includes 15% compaction loss and 5% overage, then rounds upward to the purchase increment.

Base layer

Crusher run / dense grade

7.4 cubic yards

Approx. adjusted weight before supplier rounding: 11.41 US tons
Surface layer

Driveway gravel

3.7 cubic yards

Approx. adjusted weight before supplier rounding: 5.4 US tons
Driveway area
480 sq ft
Approx. adjusted combined weight before supplier rounding
16.81 US tons

Example estimate: default sample values are shown. Update the measurements and select Calculate before using or copying this list.

Take this to your supplier

Shopping list

  • Base layer: Crusher run / dense gradeIncludes 15% compaction loss and 5% overage.7.4 cubic yards
  • Surface layer: Driveway gravelIncludes 15% compaction loss and 5% overage.3.7 cubic yards
Calculation assumptions
  • Loose order volume assumes 15% volume loss during compaction.
  • An additional 5% overage is applied after compaction allowance.
  • Layer depths are finished compacted depths and are applied uniformly across the driveway.
  • Material density, subgrade, drainage, and required layer depth must be confirmed locally.

Planning guidance

Measure and choose assumptions before calculating

Layer-by-layer math

How driveway gravel is calculated

1

Compacted layer volume

length × width × finished layer depth for each layer.

2

Loose order volume

compacted volume ÷ (1 − compaction loss).

3

Overage

Add the selected overage, then round each material up to 0.1 yd³ or m³.

A 15% compaction loss means one loose unit becomes about 0.85 compacted units. This is different from simply adding 15%; the calculator divides by 0.85 before applying waste.

Before ordering

Measure layers, not just total depth

Enter the finished compacted depth of the base and surface separately. Use zero for the base when estimating a surface-only refresh. If width or depth changes along the driveway, split it into sections and add the shopping quantities.

Quantity planning—not pavement design

Required depth depends on subgrade, drainage, climate, vehicle loads, aggregate grading, and local practice. Confirm the section design with a qualified local supplier or professional before construction.