GravelCoverage

Worked comparisons

Gravel Calculator examples

Compare common starting points in one place, inspect every assumption, then open the closest example in the calculator and replace it with your own figures.

How to use these examples

Examples are reference points, not recommendations for a particular product or situation. Use the comparison table to find a nearby case, check the stated inputs and limits, then run the gravel calculator with measurements you have confirmed.

Quick comparison

Every result is calculated from the inputs shown further down this page.

Example Result Volume
5 x 3 m driveway 66 bags 0.75 m3 (0.98 yd3)
10 x 1 m path 36 bags 0.4 m3 (0.52 yd3)
4 x 4 m area 71 bags 0.8 m3 (1.05 yd3)
6 x 0.5 m border 11 bags 0.12 m3 (0.16 yd3)
3 x 3 m shed base 64 bags 0.72 m3 (0.94 yd3)
20 m2 driveway 88 bags 1 m3 (1.31 yd3)
12 m2 garden path 53 bags 0.6 m3 (0.79 yd3)
25 m2 bulk bag order 3 bags 1.25 m3 (1.64 yd3)
8 m2 slate border 23 bags 0.32 m3 (0.42 yd3)
10 m2 Type 1 base 3 bags 1 m3 (1.31 yd3)

Assumptions shared by these comparisons

These points apply across most of the examples and are stated once here to keep the individual comparisons concise.

Inputs, results, and limits

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 5 x 3 m driveway?

A 5 x 3 m driveway at 5 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below, using a typical decorative gravel density and a 10% waste allowance. Driveways often need a proper sub-base and a deeper top layer, so confirm the build-up for load-bearing areas.

66 bags
Volume
0.75 m3 (0.98 yd3)
Weight
1.32 t (1.46 US tons)
Bag count
66 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 5
  • Width: 3
  • Depth: 5
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Driveways may need a sub-base and a deeper gravel layer than 5 cm.
Adjust this example Read driveway gravel depth Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 10 x 1 m path?

A 10 x 1 m garden path at 4 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. Paths usually use a shallower depth than driveways. Edge restraints help keep the gravel in place.

36 bags
Volume
0.4 m3 (0.52 yd3)
Weight
0.7 t (0.78 US tons)
Bag count
36 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 10
  • Width: 1
  • Depth: 4
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Add edging to reduce spread and loss along the path.
Adjust this example Read pea gravel coverage Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 4 x 4 m area?

A 4 x 4 m area at 5 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. For larger areas like this, compare small bags against a bulk bag or loose load for cost and handling.

71 bags
Volume
0.8 m3 (1.05 yd3)
Weight
1.41 t (1.55 US tons)
Bag count
71 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 4
  • Width: 4
  • Depth: 5
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Compare bag delivery with bulk-bag or loose-load pricing for larger areas.
Adjust this example Read bags vs bulk Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 6 x 0.5 m border?

A 6 x 0.5 m decorative border at 4 cm finished depth needs the volume and bag count shown below. Borders are small jobs where counting bags is usually simplest.

11 bags
Volume
0.12 m3 (0.16 yd3)
Weight
0.21 t (0.23 US tons)
Bag count
11 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 6
  • Width: 0.5
  • Depth: 4
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Measure irregular borders in sections and add them together.
Adjust this example Read irregular areas Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 3 x 3 m shed base?

A 3 x 3 m shed base at 8 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. Shed and load-bearing bases often use a compacted sub-base material rather than loose decorative gravel, so check the right aggregate for the job.

64 bags
Volume
0.72 m3 (0.94 yd3)
Weight
1.27 t (1.4 US tons)
Bag count
64 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 3
  • Width: 3
  • Depth: 8
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses a typical gravel density of 1.6 t/m3; sub-base materials are denser.
  • Load-bearing bases usually need a compacted sub-base, not loose gravel.
Adjust this example Read bags vs bulk Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 20 m2 driveway?

A 20 m2 driveway top layer at 5 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. This estimate covers the visible gravel layer only. It does not replace sub-base, drainage, or compaction guidance for a load-bearing driveway.

88 bags
Volume
1 m3 (1.31 yd3)
Weight
1.76 t (1.94 US tons)
Bag count
88 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 10
  • Width: 2
  • Depth: 5
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses 10 x 2 m as a simple 20 m2 rectangle.
  • Driveway construction may require separate sub-base material.
Adjust this example Read driveway gravel depth Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much gravel for a 12 m2 garden path?

A 12 m2 garden path at 5 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. For a curved path, measure the route in sections or use an average width before using this as a comparison.

53 bags
Volume
0.6 m3 (0.79 yd3)
Weight
1.06 t (1.16 US tons)
Bag count
53 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 12
  • Width: 1
  • Depth: 5
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses 12 x 1 m as a simple path shape.
  • Edging and membrane choices can affect the finished area.
Adjust this example Read pea gravel coverage Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How many bulk bags for 25 m2 of gravel?

A 25 m2 gravel area at 5 cm finished depth needs the bulk-bag count shown below when using 850 kg as the bag size. Supplier bulk bags vary, so replace 850 kg with the weight shown on your quote if it differs.

3 bags
Volume
1.25 m3 (1.64 yd3)
Weight
2.2 t (2.43 US tons)
Bag count
3 x 850 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 5
  • Width: 5
  • Depth: 5
  • Aggregate density: 1.6
  • Bag size: 850

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses 5 x 5 m as a simple 25 m2 square.
  • Uses 850 kg as the bulk bag weight.
Adjust this example Read bags vs bulk Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much slate chipping for an 8 m2 border?

An 8 m2 decorative slate border at 4 cm finished depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. Slate chippings can have a different density from pea gravel, so this example uses a lower density assumption and should be replaced with supplier data where available.

23 bags
Volume
0.32 m3 (0.42 yd3)
Weight
0.46 t (0.5 US tons)
Bag count
23 x 20 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 8
  • Width: 1
  • Depth: 4
  • Aggregate density: 1.3
  • Bag size: 20

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses 8 x 1 m as a simple 8 m2 border.
  • Uses 1.3 t/m3 as a planning density for slate chippings.
  • Stone size and appearance may require a different finished depth.
Adjust this example Read bags vs bulk Back to comparison

Gravel by project

How much MOT Type 1 for a 10 m2 base?

A 10 m2 MOT Type 1 base at 10 cm depth needs the volume, tonnes, and bag count shown below. This is a material quantity estimate only; compacted depth, ground preparation, and drainage need to be confirmed for the actual project.

3 bags
Volume
1 m3 (1.31 yd3)
Weight
2.2 t (2.43 US tons)
Bag count
3 x 850 kg bags

Inputs used

  • Length: 5
  • Width: 2
  • Depth: 10
  • Aggregate density: 2
  • Bag size: 850

Assumptions and limits

  • Uses 5 x 2 m as a simple 10 m2 base area.
  • Uses 2.0 t/m3 as a planning density for MOT Type 1.
  • Uses 850 kg as the bulk bag weight.
Adjust this example Read driveway gravel depth Back to comparison

This is an estimate. Site conditions, compaction, and aggregate type can change the final quantity.