Gravel Calculator

How gravel quantities are calculated

Gravel is ordered by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards) depending on the supplier, so this calculator gives you both:

Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × density (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical gravel)

About density: a cubic yard of typical driveway gravel or crushed stone weighs roughly 2,800 lb — 1.4 tons. Real values run about 1.3 tons/yd³ for rounded pea gravel up to about 1.5 tons/yd³ for dense crushed stone, and wet material weighs more than dry. If your supplier quotes an exact weight per yard for the stone you picked, enter it above for a tighter estimate. Because of this variation, a ton and a cubic yard are not interchangeable — confirm which unit the price is based on before ordering.

How deep should gravel be? Driveways generally need 4–6 inches total over a compacted base (often built in two layers: larger base stone, then a finer top layer). Garden paths and patios do well at 2–3 inches. French drains and drainage fill may be 12 inches or more deep. Remember loose gravel compacts and settles — ordering 5–10% extra is standard practice so the finished surface stays at grade.

Round numbers: one cubic yard at 4 inches deep covers about 81 sq ft; at 3 inches, about 108 sq ft. One ton at 1.4 tons/yd³ covers roughly 58 sq ft at 4 inches.