Gravel Calculator for a Shed Base
Estimate crushed stone for a shed foundation pad.
Use this free gravel calculator to estimate the gravel you need by area and depth. It calculates volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, then converts the result to tons using approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Use it for driveways, patio bases, French drains, walkways, and shed bases.
Cubic yards
1.85
50 ft³
Tons
2.59
~1.4 tons per yd³
Area
200
square feet
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Recommended tools & materials
Handy picks for this project on Amazon.
Landscape Fabric
Stops weeds under gravel and mulch
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Steel Garden Rake
Spread gravel, soil and mulch evenly
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Heavy-Duty Wheelbarrow
Move bulk material fast
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Hand Tamper
Compact base layers before paving
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How does the gravel calculator work?
Gravel is estimated by volume, then converted to tons. Multiply the area by the depth (converted to feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by ~1.4 for tons.
Formula: tons = (L × W × D/12 ÷ 27) × 1.4
What else do people ask about this calculator?
How deep should a gravel shed base be?
4 inches of compacted ¾ in crushed stone (crusher run) is enough for a shed up to 10×12 ft. Larger sheds (12×16 ft and up) or wet soil sites should have a 6 in base.
How much gravel for a 10x12 shed base?
A 12×14 ft pad (1 ft overhang each side) at 4 in deep needs about 2.1 cubic yards or 3 tons of crushed stone.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A typical residential driveway uses 4–6 in of gravel. For a 20×10 ft driveway at 4 in, you need about 2.5 yd³ (3.5 tons).
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for average crushed stone. Denser stone (river rock) can be 1.5+ tons/yd³.
How deep should gravel be for drainage?
3–4 in for a top layer; 6+ in for a base beneath pavers or concrete.
Which related calculators should I use next?
Where can I learn more about these materials?
Weights, coverage, types and buying tips for the materials this calculator estimates.
Gravel guide
How much gravel you need, what a cubic yard weighs, and which type fits your project.
Asphalt guide
Weight
Crushed Stone guide
Crushed stone sizes suit different applications: #57 stone is commonly used for drainage, concrete, and paver bases; #8 stone works for fine paver bedding, chip seal, and decorative applications; and ¾″ minus, also called crusher run, compacts into a hard driveway base.
Pea Gravel guide
Pea gravel is smooth, rounded ⅜″ stone commonly used for patios, paths, play areas, dog runs, and drainage. One cubic yard weighs about 2,700–2,800 lb and covers approximately 100 sq ft at a 3″ depth. For walkable surfaces, use a 2–3″ layer and edging to keep the gravel contained.
Limestone guide
Crushed limestone for base, drainage, and agricultural use.
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