How to calculate how much gravel you need
Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). To find either, work out the volume of the space you're filling, then convert.
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per cubic yard)
Example: a gravel driveway 40 ft long and 12 ft wide, 4 inches deep, using crushed stone.
- Volume: 40 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12) = 160 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 160 ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³
- Tons: 5.93 × 1.4 = 8.3 tons
- Add 10% for compaction: about 6.5 cubic yards or 9.1 tons
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Recommended depth | Common material |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path or walkway | 2–3 in | Pea gravel, decomposed granite |
| Decorative landscaping bed | 2–3 in | River rock, pea gravel |
| Patio or paver base | 4–6 in (compacted) | Crusher run / road base |
| Shed foundation pad | 4–6 in | Crushed stone #57 |
| New driveway | 8–12 in in 2–3 layers | Large base stone, then #57, then a finer top layer |
| Resurfacing an existing driveway | 2–3 in | Crushed stone or crusher run |
| French drain | Fill the trench | Washed #57 stone |
For a new driveway, calculate each layer separately (for example 4 inches of large base stone plus 4 inches of #57) and add them together.
Gravel types and weights
Weight per cubic yard depends on the rock, the size of the stones and how much empty space is between them. These are typical figures; ask your supplier for the exact density of their material.
| Material | Tons per yd³ | lb per ft³ | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.4 | 104 | Paths, play areas, patios |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.4 | 104 | Drainage, driveways, bases |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.5 | 111 | Compacted bases under pavers and driveways |
| River rock | 1.35 | 100 | Decorative beds, dry creek beds |
| Decomposed granite | 1.35 | 100 | Natural-looking paths and patios |
| Sand (dry) | 1.35 | 100 | Paver joints, leveling |
| Topsoil | 1.1 | 81 | Gardens and lawns |
Ordering tips
- Order a little extra. Crushed gravel compacts by 10%–15%, and ground is rarely perfectly level.
- Bulk vs. bags: a 0.5 cubic foot bag holds about 1/54 of a cubic yard. Beyond about one cubic yard, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
- Truck capacity: a standard dump truck carries roughly 10–15 tons (7–10 cubic yards); smaller trucks carry 3–5 tons. Delivery fees are often per load.
- Prepare the ground: remove sod and topsoil, grade for drainage, and lay landscape fabric to keep weeds down and stop gravel sinking into the soil.
Need the area first? Use the square footage calculator for irregular shapes, then choose "I know the sq ft" above.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 area?
At 3 inches deep: 10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet = 0.93 cubic yards, or about 1.3 tons of crushed stone. At 4 inches deep it's 1.23 cubic yards, about 1.7 tons.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
About 105–120 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70–80 sq ft at 3 inches, or 55–60 sq ft at 4 inches, depending on the material's density.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Typically 1.3 to 1.5 tons. Washed gravel and river rock are at the lower end; dense crusher run and road base are at the higher end.
How many bags of gravel equal a yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet, or 27 bags of 1 cubic foot.
How do I calculate gravel in tons?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material's density — about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for most gravel.