How much gravel do I need? A step-by-step guide for Toronto homeowners

Ordering too little gravel means your project stalls halfway through. Ordering too much leaves you with a pile you have to move, return, or pay to store. It is one of the most common questions homeowners ask us before placing an order, and the good news is that the calculation is simpler than it looks.

This guide walks you through the formula step by step, gives you a practical depth reference by project type, and covers how gravel type and compaction affect your final order.

The basic formula for calculating your gravel needs

All gravel calculations start with the same three measurements: the length, width, and depth of the area you want to cover. Once you have those numbers, the math is straightforward.

The formula:
Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft)

Then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, since that is how gravel is sold by suppliers in the GTA. Try our gravel calculator to estimate how much material you’ll need.

Quick example:
An area 15 feet long, 10 feet wide, with a 4-inch depth (0.33 feet):
15 x 10 x 0.33 = 49.5 cubic feet
49.5 divided by 27 = 1.83 cubic yards

Always round up to the nearest half yard when ordering. It is better to have a small surplus than to run short on delivery day.

Recommended gravel depth by project type

This is the section most online guides leave out, and it is the most important part of getting your calculation right. The depth you choose changes the total material needed significantly, even across an identical surface area.

Here is a practical depth reference based on the most common projects we supply across Toronto & the GTA:

Project Type	Recommended Depth
Driveway surface layer	4 to 6 inches
Driveway sub-base	6 to 8 inches
Patio or interlock base	4 to 6 inches
Garden pathway or walkway	2 to 3 inches
Shed base	4 to 6 inches
Drainage layer (clear stone)	6 to 12 inches
Dog run	3 to 4 inches
Decorative garden bed	2 to 3 inches
Backfill around foundation or pipes	6 to 12 inches

A garden pathway at 2 inches uses less than half the material of a driveway base at 5 inches, even if both areas are identical in size. Using the correct depth for your specific project is what keeps your order accurate and your budget on track.

For guidance on which gravel product is right for each use case, our post on choosing the right type of gravel for your landscaping project walks through the main options and their applications.

How does gravel type affect the weight of your order?

Some suppliers and contractors quote in tons rather than cubic yards. The weight per cubic yard varies by material, so knowing your product matters when converting between the two units.

Here is a weight reference for the materials we most commonly deliver:

Material	Approximate Weight Per Cubic Yard
Pea gravel	1.35 to 1.4 tons
¾ clear limestone	1.3 to 1.5 tons
Granular A / Crusher Run	1.5 to 2.0 tons
Limestone screenings	1.5 to 1.7 tons
River rock	1.35 to 1.5 tons
Concrete sand or brick sand	1.4 to 1.7 tons

To convert: multiply your cubic yard number by the approximate weight for your material. Always confirm the exact weight with your supplier before placing a large order, as densities can vary by source.

How many yards of gravel do I need for a driveway?

A standard two-car driveway in Toronto is typically 20 feet wide and 40 feet long. At a 4-inch depth:

20 x 40 x 0.33 = 264 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 9.78 cubic yards.

Add 10 to 15 percent for compaction, and you are looking at roughly 11 to 11.5 cubic yards for the surface layer. If you are also laying a compacted sub-base underneath, that is a separate calculation using a different depth.

How many cubic yards do I need for a 10×10 area?

At 3 inches deep: 10 x 10 x 0.25 = 25 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.

At 4 inches deep: 10 x 10 x 0.33 = 33 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 1.22 cubic yards.

A 10×10 area is a common size for a shed pad, small patio, or garden section. If your project is that small, it is worth checking the minimum delivery quantity before ordering or combining it with another area on the same project.

Always add 10 to 15% for compaction and waste

Gravel compresses under vehicle and foot traffic over time. It also spreads unevenly during installation, especially on sloped ground or through narrow gates.

As a general rule, add 10 percent for standard residential projects like garden paths and patio bases, and 15 percent for high-traffic surfaces like driveways and parking pads.

For irregular or non-rectangular areas, break the space into smaller rectangles, calculate each section separately, and add the totals together. This handles L-shaped driveways, curved garden beds, and any area that does not have four clean sides.

Use the free Gravel Calculator before you order

Rather than working through all of this manually, we have a free Gravel Calculator on our website that does the math for you. Enter your length, width, and depth, and it returns an estimated cubic yard quantity instantly.

If your project has multiple sections, unusual shapes, or you are calculating a drainage layer separately from a surface layer, our team is happy to work through the numbers with you directly. A quick call before you order often saves the cost of a second delivery.

We deliver wherever you are across Toronto and the GTA

We Deliver Gravel serves homeowners and contractors across Toronto, Vaughan, and the entire Greater Toronto Area. Whether your project is in Scarborough, Etobicoke, High Park, Willowdale, Don Mills, Leslieville, or anywhere else across the city, we get your materials to the right place at the right time. In Vaughan, we cover Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg, Thornhill, Concord, Vellore Village, and Sonoma Heights, and we deliver well beyond those boundaries too.

We know GTA soil conditions and we know what Ontario freeze-thaw cycles do to a base that was not calculated or built correctly. That local knowledge comes standard with every delivery.

We carry everything your project needs in one place. Whether you are building a driveway base with Granular A, bedding interlock with HPB or Limestone Screenings, or finishing with Pea Gravel or River Rock, you can order everything online and schedule delivery at a time that suits your project.

Get your materials ordered today with fast Gravel Delivery in Toronto

Once your cubic yard number is confirmed, ordering is straightforward. You can order gravel online and schedule delivery or  to confirm your quantities and talk through your project before you place your order.

Call us at 647-868-2447 and our team will help you verify your calculation, recommend the right product for your specific project, and lock in a delivery time that works for you. As trusted Gravel Suppliers in Toronto, We Deliver Gravel is here to make the process simple from your first measurement to your last delivery.