Gravel Calculator
Free gravel calculator. Enter length, width and depth to get cubic yards, tons, bags and estimated cost for a driveway, patio or path.
- Cubic yards
- 1.3
- Tons
- 1.81
- Cubic feet
- 35
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$73
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
70 bags · $350
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($15–$75 per ton), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
Gravel is sold by the ton or the cubic yard, but projects are measured in feet and inches. This calculator converts your measurements into the units your supplier uses, so you can order the right amount the first time.
Most crushed gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Heavier stone such as granite runs higher, and lighter decorative rock runs lower, so the density field is editable.
How to calculate how much gravel you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to get tons.
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.4.
Recommended gravel depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path or walkway | 2–3 in |
| Patio base | 4 in |
| Driveway (new, over soil) | 8–12 in (in layers) |
| Driveway top-up | 2 in |
How much gravel for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance, with tons in brackets (at 1.4 t/yd³).
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 yd³ (0.9 t) | 0.93 yd³ (1.3 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.6 t) |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.6 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.5 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5.2 t) |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.89 yd³ (1.2 t) | 1.33 yd³ (1.9 t) | 1.78 yd³ (2.5 t) | 2.67 yd³ (3.7 t) |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 yd³ (3.5 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5.2 t) | 4.94 yd³ (6.9 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10.4 t) |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 3.7 yd³ (5.2 t) | 5.56 yd³ (7.8 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10.4 t) | 11.11 yd³ (15.6 t) |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ (4.3 t) | 4.63 yd³ (6.5 t) | 6.17 yd³ (8.6 t) | 9.26 yd³ (13 t) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ (8.6 t) | 9.26 yd³ (13 t) | 12.35 yd³ (17.3 t) | 18.52 yd³ (25.9 t) |
Tips before you order
- Order 5–10% extra to allow for compaction and uneven ground.
- For driveways, lay a larger base stone (such as #3) first, then #57 and a finer top layer.
- One tandem dump truck carries roughly 10–14 tons, so big orders may need more than one load.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for typical crushed gravel. The range is roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons depending on stone type and moisture.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers about 115 square feet. At 4 inches deep it covers about 58 square feet.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A new driveway over soil usually needs 8 to 12 inches of gravel laid in compacted layers. Resurfacing an existing driveway needs about 2 inches.