Skip to content

Sand, Cement & Gravel Calculator

Estimate the gravel (coarse aggregate) you need for a concrete mix. Enter your slab's length, width and thickness to get the volume to order.

Sand, Cement & Gravel Calculator

0
concrete (yd³)
0
gravel (yd³)
0
sand (yd³)
0
cement (80 lb bags)
Sand, Cement & Gravel Calculator, live preview
Gravel Sand Cement
Enter values to see your estimate.

How to Calculate Gravel for Concrete

Change the calculator above and watch every figure and the diagram below update live.

Top-down view (area × depth)

W L depth 4"

Step 1 · Area

20 ft × 10 ft = 200 ft²

Step 2 · Volume (× depth, ÷ 27)

200 ft² × 0.33 ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³

3.46
tons (× 1.4)
134
bags (÷ 0.5 ft³)

These figures update automatically as you change the calculator above.

Concrete aggregate coverage

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.

Approximate coverage of one cubic yard of gravel at common depths.
DepthCoverage per yd³Relative coverage
1" 324 sq ft
100%
2" 162 sq ft
50%
3" 108 sq ft
33%
4" 81 sq ft
25%
6" 54 sq ft
17%
3 in
3"

At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard of gravel covers 108 sq ft.

Concrete Mix FAQs

How much gravel do I need for concrete?
In a standard 1:2:3 concrete mix, gravel is the '3' part. Calculate your slab volume here, then gravel is roughly half of the total mix volume.
What is the ratio of sand, cement and gravel?
A common general-purpose ratio is 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 3 parts gravel by volume (1:2:3).
How much gravel is in a cubic yard of concrete?
About 0.5 cubic yards of gravel per cubic yard of concrete in a typical 1:2:3 mix.
What size gravel is used in concrete?
Coarse aggregate around 3/4 inch is common for slabs; smaller stone is used for thin sections.

Related gravel calculators

Each calculator is tailored to its job, pick the one that matches your project.