Build CalculatorsGravel Calculator
Find how much gravel, crushed stone or road base you need for a driveway, path or base layer — in cubic yards and in tons, the two ways stone yards sell it. Pick the material to use its real weight.
Area
Order
- Total area
- 120 sq ft
- Weight
- 2.28 tons · 4,563 lb · 2,070 kg
- Bags of 0.5 cu ft
- 88
- Estimated cost
- $102.67
At 4 in deep, one cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft. This much is usually cheaper as a bulk delivery than 88 bags.
How the gravel calculator works
- It adds up the area of every shape you enter, in square feet.
- Area × depth gives the volume; your compaction allowance is added on top, and the total is divided by 27 for cubic yards.
- Cubic yards × the material's density (pounds per cubic yard ÷ 2,000) gives tons.
In one line: tons = sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 324 × tons per cubic yard. The 324 is 12 inches × 27 cubic feet. For general gravel at 1.4 t/yd³, that shortcut becomes sq ft × inches ÷ 231.
Yards or tons — which should I order?
Order in whatever unit your supplier prices in, but compare quotes in one unit. A quote of $45 a ton and another of $60 a cubic yard are about the same price for 1.4 t/yd³ gravel ($63 vs $60 per yard). Delivery trucks are limited by weight — roughly 5–7 tons for a single-axle dump truck and 10–15 tons for a tandem — so large orders may need two loads.
Worked examples
600 sq ft × 4 ÷ 324 = 7.41 cubic yards, × 1.4 = 10.4 tons. With 10% for compaction: 8.15 yd³, about 11.4 tons — one tandem dump-truck load. At 6 inches deep the same driveway takes 12.2 yd³ (17.1 tons) with the allowance.
Treat the trench as a 50 × 1 ft area, 12 inches deep, with Crushed stone (#57) selected: 50 sq ft × 12 ÷ 324 = 1.85 yd³, 2.5 tons. With 10% extra: 2.04 yd³, about 2.75 tons. A 4-inch perforated pipe displaces only about 0.16 yd³ over 50 ft, so most people ignore it.
Gravel by area and depth (yards · tons)
Calculated for general gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, without a compaction allowance.
| Area | 2" deep | 3" deep | 4" deep | 6" deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ · 0.4 t | 0.46 yd³ · 0.6 t | 0.62 yd³ · 0.9 t | 0.93 yd³ · 1.3 t |
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ · 0.9 t | 0.93 yd³ · 1.3 t | 1.23 yd³ · 1.7 t | 1.85 yd³ · 2.6 t |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ · 1.7 t | 1.85 yd³ · 2.6 t | 2.47 yd³ · 3.5 t | 3.7 yd³ · 5.2 t |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ · 2.6 t | 2.78 yd³ · 3.9 t | 3.7 yd³ · 5.2 t | 5.56 yd³ · 7.8 t |
| 400 sq ft | 2.47 yd³ · 3.5 t | 3.7 yd³ · 5.2 t | 4.94 yd³ · 6.9 t | 7.41 yd³ · 10.4 t |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ · 4.3 t | 4.63 yd³ · 6.5 t | 6.17 yd³ · 8.6 t | 9.26 yd³ · 13 t |
| 600 sq ft | 3.7 yd³ · 5.2 t | 5.56 yd³ · 7.8 t | 7.41 yd³ · 10.4 t | 11.11 yd³ · 15.6 t |
| 800 sq ft | 4.94 yd³ · 6.9 t | 7.41 yd³ · 10.4 t | 9.88 yd³ · 13.8 t | 14.81 yd³ · 20.7 t |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ · 8.6 t | 9.26 yd³ · 13 t | 12.35 yd³ · 17.3 t | 18.52 yd³ · 25.9 t |
| 1,500 sq ft | 9.26 yd³ · 13 t | 13.89 yd³ · 19.4 t | 18.52 yd³ · 25.9 t | 27.78 yd³ · 38.9 t |
Gravel and stone density
Typical loose weights as delivered. Densities change with moisture and stone size, so treat these as planning figures and use your supplier's number when you have it.
| Material | lb / cu ft | lb / cu yd | tons / cu yd | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (general, 3/4") | 104 | 2,800 | 1.4 | Driveways, drainage, sub-base |
| Pea gravel | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | Paths, play areas, between pavers |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | Drainage, concrete sub-base |
| Crusher run / road base | 111 | 3,000 | 1.5 | Compactable base for driveways and pavers |
| River rock | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | Decorative beds, dry creek beds |
| Decomposed granite | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | Paths and patios, compacts firm |
| Sand (dry) | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | Paver bedding, leveling, play sand |
| Topsoil | 81 | 2,200 | 1.1 | Lawns, raised beds, grading |
| Fill dirt | 74 | 2,000 | 1 | Filling holes and low spots |
| Compost | 37 | 1,000 | 0.5 | Soil amendment, top dressing |
| Mulch (shredded hardwood) | 22 | 600 | 0.3 | Flower beds, around trees |
| Wood chips / playground chips | 19 | 500 | 0.25 | Paths, playgrounds |
| Concrete (wet, normal weight) | 150 | 4,050 | 2.03 | 150 lb per cubic foot |
| Asphalt (hot mix, compacted) | 145 | 3,915 | 1.96 | 145 lb per cubic foot |
How deep to lay gravel
| Project | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New driveway (total) | 10–12 in | Three layers: base stone, #57, top stone or crusher run. |
| Driveway refresh | 2–3 in | Rake out ruts first; add 10% for compaction. |
| Walkway | 2–3 in | Pea gravel or decomposed granite over landscape fabric. |
| Patio or paver base | 4–6 in | Crusher run compacted in 2-in lifts, then 1 in sand. |
| Shed base | 4–6 in | Extend 1 ft past the shed on every side. |
| Under a concrete slab | 4–6 in | See the concrete slab calculator for the slab itself. |
| French drain | 12 in+ | Trench typically 6–12 in wide, 12–24 in deep. |
| Decorative beds | 2–3 in | River rock or pea gravel over fabric. |
Putting a slab on that base? The concrete slab calculator estimates the slab, rebar and base stone together.
Related calculators
- Concrete CalculatorCubic yards and 40, 60 or 80 lb bags for slabs, footings, columns and steps.
- Concrete Slab CalculatorSlab concrete, bag count, rebar grid and gravel base for patios and driveways.
- Mulch CalculatorHow many bags or yards of mulch for beds, rings around trees and playgrounds.
- Square Footage CalculatorArea of rooms, lots and odd shapes in sq ft, sq yd, m² and acres, with cost.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the density in tons per cubic yard. Most gravel and crushed stone weighs 1.35–1.5 tons per cubic yard; this calculator uses 1.4 for general 3/4-inch gravel. So 5 cubic yards is about 7 tons. Ask your supplier for their figure: wet or finely graded material can weigh more.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
A ton of 1.4 t/yd³ gravel is about 19.3 cubic feet. That covers roughly 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 77 sq ft at 3 inches, 58 sq ft at 4 inches and 39 sq ft at 6 inches.
How much gravel do I need for a 10 × 10 area?
A 10 × 10 ft area is 100 sq ft. At 3 inches deep that is 0.93 cubic yards, about 1.3 tons; at 4 inches it is 1.23 cubic yards, about 1.7 tons. Add 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A new gravel driveway is usually built in three layers totaling 10–12 inches: 4–6 inches of large base stone, 4 inches of mid-size crushed stone such as #57, and 2–3 inches of finer top stone or crusher run. Refreshing an existing driveway only needs 2–3 inches of top stone.
How many bags of gravel make a yard?
Bagged gravel and stone is usually sold in 0.5 cu ft bags of about 50 lb, so a cubic yard is 54 bags. Bags only make sense for small jobs — a few square feet of path or the base under a single post. Beyond half a yard, bulk delivery is cheaper and far less work.
Should I add extra gravel for compaction?
Yes. Crushed stone and road base compact by about 10–15% when run over with a plate compactor or by traffic, so the calculator adds 10% by default. Use 15% for crusher run or road base laid as a compacted base, and 5% for loose decorative rock that will not be compacted.