Gravel calculator
How much gravel you need in cubic yards, tons and bags, with cost if you know the price per ton.
You need about
2.04 cubic yards
- Weight
- 2.85 tons
- Volume
- 55.0 cu ft
- Bags (0.5 cu ft)
- 110
- Estimated cost
For 200 sq ft at 1.40 tons per cubic yard, including the extra you set.
How the gravel calculation works
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. The calculator finds the volume of your area, converts it to cubic yards, then uses the weight of your gravel type to get tons.
- Area = length × width (or 3.1416 × radius² for a circle), in square feet
- Cubic feet = area × depth in inches ÷ 12, plus your extra percentage
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard for your gravel
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft path, 3 inches deep, in pea gravel: 200 sq ft × 3 ÷ 12 = 50.0 cu ft. 50.0 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. At 1.40 tons per yard, that is 2.59 tons, before any extra.
How much gravel weighs
Typical weights as delivered (loose). Actual weight varies by quarry and moisture by about 10%, so ask your supplier for their figure and enter it with "Other".
| Gravel type | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | 104 | Paths, patios, play areas |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.40 | 104 | Drainage, driveway top layer |
| Crusher run / base gravel | 1.50 | 111 | Driveway and patio base |
| River rock | 1.35 | 100 | Landscape beds, dry creek beds |
| Decomposed granite | 1.40 | 104 | Paths, xeriscape |
Gravel questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 50 × 10 ft driveway with 4 inches of base gravel needs about 6.2 cubic yards, or 9.3 tons of crusher run, before extra for compaction. Use the Driveway button above to start from those numbers.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most gravel weighs about 1.35 to 1.50 tons per cubic yard as delivered. Wet or densely graded material weighs more, which is why suppliers quote their own figure.
How deep should gravel be?
Paths and patios typically use 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel or similar. Driveways typically use a compacted base of about 4 to 6 inches, often with 2 to 3 inches of top stone. Soft or clay soil may need more base; a local contractor or supplier can advise.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.40 tons per cubic yard, one ton covers about 116 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 77 square feet at 3 inches.
Should I order extra gravel?
Yes. Adding 5 to 10% covers uneven ground and spreading loss. Base gravel that will be compacted settles more, so ask your supplier how much to add for your job.