Calculator
Gravel Pad Calculator for Sheds
A shed gravel pad is the shed footprint plus 1 ft on every side, 4 to 6 in deep. For a 10x12 shed that is a 12x14 pad: 2.3 cubic yards at 4 in (about 3.2 tons of crushed stone with compaction) or 3.4 yards at 6 in.
Gravel pad calculatorUpdates as you type
3.2 tons of stone
- Pad size
- 12 x 14 ft (168 sq ft)
- Volume incl. 10% compaction
- 2.28 yd³
- Weight
- 3.2 tons
- Stone cost
- $144
- Weed fabric
- 185 sq ft incl. overlap
- Frame timber (4x6)
- 52 linear ft x 1 course
Most quarries sell by the ton and deliver a minimum of 3 to 5 tons, so round up and keep the extra for the drip edge.
Pad prep gear
Matched to this result, spread from budget to premium.
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
How to size a shed gravel pad
Start from the shed's nominal footprint and add a border, 1 ft on every side unless the kit manual asks for more. Depth is 4 in on firm, well-drained soil and 6 in on clay or wet ground. Multiply length x width x depth, convert to cubic yards, add 10 percent for compaction, then convert to tons at your stone's density.
Use angular crushed stone (3/4 in clean or a crusher-run blend). Angular pieces lock together when compacted. Pea gravel is round, rolls underfoot and never really firms up, so keep it for paths, not structural pads.
Gravel quantities for common sizes
| Shed | Pad (1 ft border) | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6x8 | 8 x 10 ft | 1.5 t | 2.3 t |
| 8x10 | 10 x 12 ft | 2.3 t | 3.4 t |
| 10x12 | 12 x 14 ft | 3.2 t | 4.8 t |
| 12x16 | 14 x 18 ft | 4.8 t | 7.2 t |
Every size is on the gravel chart.
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- Shed cost calculator
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Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel for a 10x12 shed?
With a 1 ft border the pad is 12 x 14 ft. At 4 in deep that is 2.28 cubic yards including compaction, about 3.2 tons of crushed stone at 1.4 tons per yard. At 6 in it is about 4.8 tons. Most quarries deliver in whole tons with a minimum load, so order 4 or 5 and use the spare for a drip edge.
Do I need weed fabric under a gravel shed pad?
It is cheap insurance. Landscape fabric under the stone stops the gravel sinking into the soil and keeps weeds from growing up through the pad. Overlap seams by about 6 in; the calculator adds 10 percent to the pad area for that.
Do I need a timber frame around the gravel?
It is strongly recommended. A frame of treated 4x6 or 6x6 timber holds the stone in place at the edges, which is exactly where a shed wall bears. Without it, the edges spread over time and the shed settles out of level.
This page is researched guidance, not professional engineering, legal or building-code advice. Sizes, loads and permit rules vary by product and by town: check your local code and the kit manufacturer's instructions before you build.