About the Gravel Calculator
This gravel calculator estimates how much stone to order for a driveway, walkway, patio base, drainage trench or landscape bed. Enter the length and width of the area in feet and the depth in inches, choose the type of stone, and it returns the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, the approximate weight in US tons, the number of 0.5 cu ft bags, and the cost at your price per ton.
Quarries and landscape yards sell gravel either by the ton or by the cubic yard, so both figures are shown. Weight depends on the rock and how it is graded; the densities here are typical values of about 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard, so check your supplier’s figure for the exact product.
Typical depths are 2–3 inches for a decorative path, 4 inches for a patio or paver base, and 4–6 inches or more in layers for a driveway. Add a few percent extra because loose stone compacts once it is spread and tamped.
With the default inputs, the gravel needed is 2.72 tons. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the gravel calculator
- 1Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- 2Decide the depth in inches for the job (2–3 in paths, 4–6 in driveways).
- 3Choose the gravel type to set its weight per cubic yard.
- 4Add 5–10% extra for compaction.
- 5Order by tons or cubic yards depending on how your supplier sells it.
Formula and method
Volume in cubic feet is length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches to feet, increased by the compaction allowance. Dividing by 27 converts cubic feet to cubic yards.
Weight is cubic yards × the material’s bulk density in US tons per cubic yard. Loose gravel and crushed stone typically weigh about 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard (1.3–1.5 tons) depending on rock type, size and moisture; the presets use typical values, so confirm with your supplier. Bag count assumes common 0.5 cubic foot retail bags.
- L, W
- Area length and width (ft)
- D
- Depth (in)
- density
- US tons per cubic yard
Worked examples
20 × 10 ft pea gravel patio, 3 in deep
The area is 200 sq ft; at 0.25 ft deep that is 50 cubic feet, or 52.5 with 5% extra. That is 1.94 cubic yards, which at 1.4 tons per yard is about 2.72 tons — around $122.50 at $45 a ton.
50 × 12 ft crushed stone driveway, 4 in deep
600 sq ft at 4 inches is 200 cubic feet, 210 with 5% extra, or 7.78 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per yard you need 10.5 tons of crushed stone.
30 × 3 ft garden path, 2 in deep, no extra
A 90 sq ft path 2 inches deep needs 15 cubic feet (0.56 yd³), about 0.78 tons of pea gravel — or 30 half-cubic-foot bags from a garden center.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?+
Most gravel and crushed stone weighs about 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard, roughly 1.3–1.5 US tons. Wet or densely graded material such as crusher run is at the heavy end.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?+
At 1.4 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards, which covers roughly 58 sq ft at 4 inches deep, 77 sq ft at 3 inches or 116 sq ft at 2 inches.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?+
Driveways are usually built in layers totaling about 8–12 inches: a base of larger crushed stone and a 2–4 inch top layer of smaller gravel. Soft or clay soils may need more depth or geotextile fabric.
What is the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?+
Pea gravel is small, smooth and rounded, which feels nice underfoot but shifts easily. Crushed stone is angular, so it locks together and compacts — better for driveways and paver bases.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?+
Both. Quarries usually sell by the ton, while many landscape yards sell by the cubic yard. This calculator shows both so you can compare quotes.