Gravel Calculator
Gravel is quoted by the ton but laid by the inch. Enter the area and depth to see both the volume and the weight you will be paying for.
How the gravel calculator works
- Volume = length × width × depth, in cubic feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × density. Crushed stone is about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft parking pad at 4 inches deep:
- 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- 200 × 0.333 = 66.7 cubic feet
- 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards
- 2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 US tons
Order 3.5 tons and you will have enough for the edges without paying for a second delivery charge, which is often the most expensive part of a small order.
Density by material
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (¾ in) | 1.35–1.45 | Driveways, base layers |
| Pea gravel | 1.30–1.40 | Paths, play areas, borders |
| River rock | 1.30–1.50 | Decorative beds, dry creeks |
| Stone dust / crusher run | 1.50–1.60 | Compacted base under pavers |
| Sand | 1.30–1.40 | Paver setting bed, sandboxes |
Depth by application
| Application | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative path | 2 in | Over landscape fabric |
| Driveway surface | 4 in | Over a compacted 4 in base |
| Drainage trench | 6–12 in | Washed stone, no fines |
| Shed or hot tub base | 4–6 in | Compacted in 2 in lifts |
Gravel compacts by roughly 20%, so a 4 inch loose layer settles to about 3 inches under traffic. If your finish depth matters, calculate at the compacted depth and add the compaction allowance when you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 US tons — roughly 2,800 lb. Crushed stone is the standard, pea gravel sits slightly lighter, and crusher run with its stone dust is heavier at about 1.5–1.6 tons per yard.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep is 4.9 cubic yards or 6.9 tons of crushed stone. Build the base in two compacted 2 inch lifts rather than one 4 inch layer — it locks together far better.
How deep should gravel be?
2 inches for a decorative path, 4 inches for a driveway surface over compacted base, and 6 inches or more for drainage or a structural base. Anywhere you will drive or park, depth and compaction matter more than the stone size.
Is a ton of gravel the same as a yard?
No — a ton is weight, a yard is volume. One cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, so a quote in tons is roughly 1.4× the yardage. Always convert both quotes to the same unit before comparing.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
Yes for paths and beds — it stops soil working up into the stone. Skip it under a driveway base, where you want the stone to bind with the sub-base instead.