Gravel calculator
Enter the area and depth to see how much gravel to order in cubic yards and tons. Choose the type, from pea gravel to crushed stone, since each weighs differently, and see what it costs by the ton or the yard.
Usually 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard loose; this uses 1.4.
Gravel packs down when it is tamped or driven on, and some is lost at the edges.
Weight of pea gravel
- US tons (2,000 lb)
- 3.8
- Pounds
- 7,605
- Metric tonnes (1,000 kg)
- 3.45
Uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard (about 1,660 kg/m³), a typical figure for loose, dry to damp material. Wet loads weigh more: ask your supplier for theirs.
Amounts
- Exact volume (no extra)
- 2.47 cu yd
- Cubic yards
- 2.72
- Cubic feet
- 73.3
- Cubic meters
- 2.08
- Bulk order, to the next ½ yard
- 3 cu yd
- Area covered
- 200 sq ft
Many landscape yards load bulk material by the half or whole yard.
- Nothing is uploaded
- Free, no sign-up
- Works on phone and desktop
How to work out how much gravel you need
- 1
Pick the type of stone. Pea gravel, crushed stone and sand weigh differently, so the tons change with it.
- 2
Enter each area as a rectangle, circle or triangle. Sizes can be typed like a tape measure: 12' 6", 12 ft 6 in or 3.8 m.
- 3
Choose a depth: 2 to 3 inches for paths, 4 to 6 inches or more for driveways. Keep about 10% extra for compaction.
- 4
Read the cubic yards and tons to order. Add a price per ton or per yard to see what the stone costs.
Features
Seven kinds of stone
Pea gravel, #57, crushed limestone, crusher run, river rock, decomposed granite and sand, each with its typical weight. Or enter your supplier’s figure.
Any shape, several areas
Rectangles, circles and triangles, as many as you need, for L-shaped drives, round patios and paths that bend.
Yards and tons
Cubic yards for landscape yards, US tons for quarries, plus cubic feet, cubic meters and metric tonnes.
Cost by the ton or yard
Enter the price the way your supplier quotes it and see the total before delivery.
From size to cubic yards to tons
Gravel is measured by volume and often sold by weight, so the sum has two steps. First the volume: length × width × depth, all in feet, gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 gives cubic yards. Then the weight: multiply the cubic yards by what a yard of your stone weighs. The calculator does both, for every area you add.
- A driveway, 12 × 50 ft at 4 inches of #57 stone: 200 cubic feet, or 7.41 cubic yards. With 10% extra for compaction that's 8.15 cubic yards, or about 11.4 tons at 1.4 tons a yard.
- A garden path, 3 × 40 ft at 2 inches of pea gravel: 20 cubic feet, or 0.74 cubic yards. With 10% extra, order about 0.81 cubic yards, which is roughly 1.1 tons.
- A bend or an odd shape: split it into rectangles, circles and triangles, add each as its own area, and the calculator adds them up.
How much does gravel weigh?
Weight depends on the rock and on how much air sits between the stones. Rounded stones of one size leave gaps; crushed stone with fines packs tighter and weighs more. Moisture adds weight too. These are typical loose, dry-to-damp figures quoted by US quarries and landscape suppliers, and the value the calculator uses for each:
| Stone | Tons per cubic yard | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.3–1.5 (uses 1.4) | Paths, patios, play areas, drainage |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.35–1.5 (uses 1.4) | Driveway top layer, drainage, base under slabs |
| Crushed limestone | 1.4–1.5 (uses 1.45) | Driveways, walkways, base layers |
| Crusher run or road base | 1.4–1.7 (uses 1.5) | Driveway and patio base (packs hard) |
| River rock | 1.25–1.6 (uses 1.4) | Borders, dry creek beds, drainage |
| Decomposed granite | 1.2–1.5 (uses 1.35) | Paths and patios with a natural look |
| Sand | 1.1–1.4 (uses 1.3) | Leveling under pavers, play sand |
If your supplier gives a different figure, choose Other under Type of stone and enter it. Their number is better than any average, because it comes from their own stone weighed on their own scale.
How deep to lay it
The right depth depends on what the gravel has to carry. Here is what a 10 × 10 ft area (100 sq ft) takes at common depths:
| Project | Usual depth | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative cover or garden path | 2 in | 0.62 cu yd · 0.9 tons |
| Walkway | 2 to 3 in | 0.93 cu yd · 1.3 tons |
| Patio, paver or shed base | 4 in, compacted | 1.23 cu yd · 1.7 tons |
| Driveway top-up or resurface | 1 to 2 in | 0.62 cu yd · 0.9 tons |
| Driveway (top layers) | 4 to 6 in | 1.85 cu yd · 2.6 tons |
Amounts are at the deeper end of each range, before the extra for compaction, at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
For a new driveway, think in layers rather than one thick pour of the same stone. A common build is a few inches of larger base stone or crusher run, compacted, then 2 to 4 inches of #57 or a similar crushed stone on top. Work out one layer at a time: set its depth and its stone, copy the result, then do the next layer.
Ordering tips
- Compaction: loose gravel settles as it's tamped and driven on. 10% extra is a sensible start; bases that are rolled hard can take more.
- Hauling: a cubic yard of stone weighs around 2,800 lb, more than many pickups are rated to carry. Check your payload before loading.
- Delivery: dump trucks usually have a minimum load and a delivery fee. Ask for the price delivered, and where the driver can tip.
- Edging and fabric: edging keeps paths tidy, and landscape fabric under the stone slows weeds and stops gravel sinking into soft soil.
Pouring a slab on top? Work out the concrete with the concrete calculator. Measure an odd-shaped yard first with the square footage calculator, or convert any volume in the cubic yard calculator. For beds next to the path, the mulch calculator counts bags.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the stone's weight per yard for tons. A 10 × 20 ft area 4 inches deep is 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards. At a typical 1.4 tons per yard, that's about 3.5 tons before any extra.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most gravel and crushed stone weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard (2,600 to 3,000 lb) loose and dry. Crusher run with its fine dust can reach 1.7, while decomposed granite and sand are often a little lighter. Wet stone weighs more, so ask your supplier for their figure.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton is about 19.3 cubic feet. That covers roughly 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 77 sq ft at 3 inches and 58 sq ft at 4 inches.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A new gravel driveway is usually built in layers over compacted ground: a base of larger stone or crusher run, then a few inches of #57 or similar, for a total that is often 8 to 12 inches. Topping up an existing drive usually takes an inch or two of fresh stone. Soft or clay soil needs a deeper base.
What is the best gravel for a driveway?
Angular crushed stone, such as #57 or crusher run, locks together under tires. Crusher run also contains stone dust that packs down hard, which makes it a common base. Rounded pea gravel and river rock roll underfoot and shift under wheels, so they suit paths and borders better than drives.
Should I buy gravel by the ton or by the yard?
Either works if you convert correctly. Quarries usually weigh each truck and sell by the ton, while landscape yards often sell by the scoop or cubic yard. Use the weight per yard of your stone to compare quotes: 10 tons of 1.4-ton gravel is about 7.1 cubic yards.
More free tools
- Concrete CalculatorCubic yards and bags for slabs, footings and steps.
- Mulch CalculatorCubic yards or bags for your garden beds.
- Cubic Yard CalculatorVolume in cubic yards from any measurements.
- Square Footage CalculatorArea of rooms, floors and lots in square feet.
- Drywall CalculatorSheets, screws, mud and tape for a room.
- BTU CalculatorBTUs for an air conditioner or heater.
- Gas Cost CalculatorWhat a trip costs in gas.
- MPG CalculatorYour car's real fuel economy.
- Tire Size CalculatorTire dimensions and size comparison.