How do I calculate how much gravel I need?

Multiply the length by the width in feet to get the area, then by the depth in inches divided by 12 to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards and multiply by about 1.4 for tons. A 40 by 10 foot driveway 4 inches deep is 133 cubic feet, or 4.94 cubic yards, and about 7.6 tons with 10% extra.

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb). Crushed stone is a little lighter at about 1.35 tons, and pea gravel and crusher run are a little heavier. The exact figure changes with moisture and the supplier, so ask for the weight of your product.

How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?

Multiply the cubic yards by 1.4. For example, 5 cubic yards of gravel is about 7 tons. To go the other way, multiply the tons by 0.71: 10 tons is about 7.1 cubic yards.

How much area does one ton of gravel cover?

One ton of gravel covers about 116 square feet at 2 inches deep, 77 at 3 inches, 58 at 4 inches and 39 at 6 inches. The figure is roughly 231 divided by the depth in inches, before adding extra for compaction.

How deep should gravel be?

A garden path or decorative area usually needs 2 to 3 inches. A patio or walkway base is typically 4 inches of compacted stone, and a driveway 4 to 6 inches, thicker where heavy vehicles drive. Drainage trenches are often 6 to 12 inches deep.

How much extra gravel should I order?

Order about 10% more than the calculated volume, and up to 15% for a driveway or an uneven surface. Gravel compacts when it is spread and tamped, so the finished layer is thinner than the loose pile you pour.

Is gravel sold by the ton or by the cubic yard?

Both are common. Quarries and many suppliers sell by the ton, while landscape yards often sell by the cubic yard. This calculator gives both numbers so you can compare quotes. Delivery fees and minimum loads usually apply.

🏠 Home & Garden

Gravel Calculator · Tons, Cubic Yards and Weight

Gravel is sold by the ton or by the cubic yard, but you measure a job in feet and inches. This calculator turns the size of your driveway, path, patio base or trench into tons, cubic yards and pounds, so you can place the order in the unit your supplier uses.

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Choose the type of stone, enter the length and width in feet (or the area in square feet) and the depth in inches. The calculator adds 10% by default for compaction and uneven ground, because gravel packs down once it is spread and tamped. If you know the delivered price per ton, it also returns the cost.

The weight of gravel depends on the stone, its size and its moisture, so the figures here are typical planning values. Ask your supplier for the weight of the exact product, especially before loading a trailer or a pickup. For a round or irregular area, find the square footage first and use the area option.

Detailed Breakdown

8 metrics

PRIMARY RESULT

7.60 tons

Gravel Needed (With Extra)

Cubic Yards (With Extra)

5.43 cubic yards

Weight

15,210 lb

Area Covered

400 square feet at 4 inches deep

Volume Without Extra

4.94 cubic yards (133.33 cubic feet)

Tons per Cubic Yard

1.40 tons

One Ton Covers

53 square feet at that depth

Cost by the Ton

$266.17

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exploreReal-World Scenarios

When to Use This Calculator

Everyday financial situations where this tool gives you fast, accurate clarity:

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Gravel Driveway

Get the tons for a 4 to 6 inch layer before you call the supplier.

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Garden Path or Walkway

Find the pea gravel or crushed stone for a 2 to 3 inch path.

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Patio, Shed or Slab Base

Size a compacted base of crushed stone or crusher run.

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Drainage Trench

Calculate the stone for a French drain or a dry well.

Calculation Formula

Standard Method

Volume (cubic feet) = Area (sq ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
With extra = Volume × (1 + Extra %)
Weight (lb) = Cubic yards with extra × Weight per cubic yard
Tons = Weight (lb) ÷ 2,000
One cubic yard covers 324 ÷ Depth (in) square feet
Cost = Tons × Price per ton

Typical weights used per cubic yard: gravel 2,800 lb, crushed stone (3/4 in) 2,700 lb, pea gravel 2,900 lb, crusher run 3,000 lb, river rock 2,600 lb and decomposed granite 2,700 lb. As a rule of thumb, 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, so tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4 and cubic yards ≈ tons × 0.71.

Benchmark Example:

A gravel driveway 40 ft long, 10 ft wide and 4 inches deep, with 10% extra:

• Area: 40 × 10 = 400 square feet
• Volume: 400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 133.33 cubic feet = 4.94 cubic yards
• With 10% extra: 146.67 cubic feet = 5.43 cubic yards
• Weight: 5.43 × 2,800 = about 15,210 lb = 7.60 tons
• At $35 a ton delivered: 7.60 × $35 = about $266

A 12 ft by 12 ft patio base of 3/4 inch crushed stone, 4 inches deep, needs 52.8 cubic feet with 10% extra: 1.96 cubic yards, or about 2.64 tons. A 30 ft by 3 ft garden path of pea gravel 3 inches deep needs about 0.92 cubic yards, roughly 1.33 tons.

Frequently Asked Questions

7 answers

Applicable Laws & Regulatory Standards

ASTM International & National Institute of Standards and Technology

Official Legal Reference

ASTM D448 — Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction

The numbering system for stone sizes, such as No. 57 stone, that suppliers use when you order gravel for a driveway or a base.

ASTM C33/C33M — Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates

Sets the grading and quality of the sand and gravel used in construction, which is why two products sold as gravel can differ in weight per cubic yard.

NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General Tables of Units of Measurement

Defines the cubic yard as 27 cubic feet and the short ton as 2,000 pounds, the units this calculator uses to convert volume to tons.

Legal citations and statutes are provided for consumer transparency, analytical validation, and educational reference under U.S. consumer financial regulations. This tool is not a substitute for formal legal, accounting, or tax counsel.

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