Driveway top layer
A 40 ft x 10 ft driveway at 3 in deep uses 400 sq ft x 0.25 ft = 100 ft3, or
3.70 yd3. At 1.4 tons/yd3 and 15% base overage: 5.96 tons. Recommended order:
about 6 tons.
Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Project inputs
Use this mode to convert cubic yards to tons, tons to yards, or an existing bulk quantity into coverage and cost.
Typical gravel range: 1.25-1.60 tons per cubic yard.
Overage / compaction allowance
Currency is not stored; enter the unit price from your local supplier and read the estimate in the same currency.
Material estimate
Order volume-
Order weight-
Recommended order-
Estimated costAdd price
Area: -
Depth converted: -
Base volume: -
Extra allowance: -
Density used: -
Results update as you type. Confirm exact density and delivery rounding with your supplier.
Advertisement
Calculation assumptions
Last reviewed
June 24, 2026 by the Starlight Tools editorial team.
Density source
Ranges are compiled from common landscape-supplier and construction estimating references for loose bulk material. Local moisture, gradation, and compaction change the real weight.
Ordering note
The calculator estimates loose order quantity. For engineered bases, drainage work, or vehicle loads, confirm material specification, compacted depth, and density with the supplier or project professional.
Material density presets
The calculator uses the midpoint density for each preset. Replace it with your supplier's value when the quote lists tons per cubic yard.
| Material | Typical density range | Best use |
|---|
Quick coverage table
Approximate square-foot coverage using average gravel density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard, before overage. Angular crushed stone, moisture, and supplier gradation can shift these numbers.
| Material amount | 2 inch depth | 3 inch depth | 4 inch depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | 193 sq ft | 129 sq ft | 96 sq ft |
| 1.5 tons | 289 sq ft | 193 sq ft | 145 sq ft |
| 2 tons | 386 sq ft | 257 sq ft | 193 sq ft |
| 3 tons | 579 sq ft | 386 sq ft | 289 sq ft |
| 4 tons | 771 sq ft | 514 sq ft | 386 sq ft |
| 5 tons | 964 sq ft | 643 sq ft | 482 sq ft |
How to calculate gravel
- Find area. Use length x width, enter known square footage, or choose the circle or triangle mode.
- Convert depth to feet. For example, 3 inches is 0.25 feet.
- Multiply area by depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by tons per cubic yard to estimate weight.
- Add overage for compaction, spreading loss, uneven subgrade, and order rounding.
Project depth and material guidance
Recommended depths
- Walkways: 2-3 inches for light foot traffic.
- Patios and fire pits: 2-4 inches over a prepared base.
- Driveways: 3-4 inches for a top layer; 4-6 inches or more for a new base.
- Drainage trenches: enough clean stone to surround pipe and maintain slope.
- Paver bases: often 4-6 inches of compacted base plus bedding sand.
- Decorative beds: 2-3 inches for weed suppression and visual coverage.
Angular vs. rounded
Use angular crushed stone, crusher run, or decomposed granite when you need interlock and compaction. Use rounded pea gravel or river rock for drainage, decorative beds, dog runs, and areas where a loose surface is acceptable.
When not to compact
Do not compact clean drainage stone around perforated pipe, decorative river rock, or rounded pea gravel where the goal is water movement or a loose walking surface. Compact angular base materials in lifts for driveways, slabs, and paver support.
Worked gravel examples
Garden path
A 60 ft x 3 ft path at 2 in deep uses 180 sq ft x 0.167 ft = 30 ft3, or
1.11 yd3. Pea gravel at 1.3 tons/yd3 plus 10% overage is 1.59 tons. Recommended
order: about 1.75 tons or 1.25 yd3.
Circular fire pit area
A 14 ft diameter circle has pi x 7 x 7 = 154 sq ft. At 3 in deep, volume is
38.5 ft3, or 1.43 yd3. River rock at 1.5 tons/yd3 plus 10% overage is
2.36 tons. Recommended order: about 2.5 tons.
Irregular yard split into rectangles
Break an L-shaped area into 18 ft x 12 ft and 10 ft x 8 ft rectangles:
216 + 80 = 296 sq ft. At 2.5 in deep, volume is 61.7 ft3, or 2.29 yd3.
Crushed stone at 1.4 tons/yd3 plus 10% overage is 3.52 tons. Recommended order: about 3.75 tons.
Gravel calculator FAQ
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
A ton of typical gravel is about 0.65 to 0.75 cubic yards. The exact conversion depends on density, moisture, and stone size, so use your supplier's tons-per-cubic-yard value when available.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Common gravel and crushed stone often weigh about 1.25 to 1.6 short tons per cubic yard, or roughly 2,500 to 3,200 pounds per cubic yard.
What area will 1 ton cover at 2 or 3 inches?
Using 1.4 tons per cubic yard, 1 ton covers about 193 square feet at 2 inches deep or 129 square feet at 3 inches deep before adding overage.
Should gravel be ordered by yard or ton?
Measure the project by volume, then order in the unit your supplier sells. Landscape yards may quote cubic yards, while quarries and bulk delivery companies commonly quote tons.
How much extra gravel should I order?
Use 5 percent for light waste, 10 percent for typical spreading and minor unevenness, 15 percent for driveway/base work, and up to 30 percent when heavy compaction or a rough subgrade is expected.
What depth is best for a driveway?
A resurfacing layer may use 3 to 4 inches. A new driveway base often needs 4 to 6 inches or more, placed and compacted in lifts, depending on soil strength, drainage, and traffic.
Does pea gravel compact?
Pea gravel settles but does not lock together like angular crushed stone. It is better for decorative areas, patios, and drainage than for structural driveway bases.
Is any calculator data uploaded?
No. The calculations run locally in your browser and do not upload or store your inputs.