Gravel Calculator — Tons and Cubic Yards
Gravel is ordered by the ton but measured by volume. Enter your area and depth and get both, so the number you phone through is the number you need.
About the Gravel Calculator
The awkward thing about gravel is that you measure a volume and then buy a weight. Suppliers quote by the ton, so every gravel job needs one conversion that most calculators skip. Dry crushed stone runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and that is the figure used here.
How to use it
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Enter the depth — 4 inches for a walkway, 6 to 8 for a driveway that takes vehicles.
- Read the tonnage. That is the number to give the supplier.
- For a driveway, order the base layer and the top layer separately; they are different stone.
The formula
Cubic yards = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4
The 1.4 figure is dry crushed stone. Wet stone is heavier, and pea gravel slightly lighter at about 1.3. Suppliers vary a little, so confirm when ordering if the job is large.
Worked examples
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 ft × 10 ft | 4" | 4.94 | 6.91 | Walkway / parking pad |
| 100 ft × 12 ft | 6" | 22.22 | 31.11 | Driveway, full depth |
| 20 ft × 20 ft | 3" | 3.70 | 5.19 | Shed base |
| 8 ft × 3 ft | 2" | 0.15 | 0.21 | Garden path |
A standard dump truck carries 10 to 14 tons, so the second row is three loads. Ask about a split delivery rather than one heavy truck if your access is tight.
Common mistakes
- Ordering by volume when the supplier sells by weight. Asking for "5 yards" when they quote tons leads to a conversion done by someone who cannot see your job.
- Skipping the base layer. A driveway needs coarse stone underneath and finer stone on top. One uniform layer of pretty gravel will rut within a year.
- Not compacting. Gravel dumped and raked settles unevenly. A plate compactor between layers is what stops the potholes.
- Forgetting edging. Without a border, gravel migrates into the lawn. You then buy it twice.
Terms explained
- #57 stone
- Roughly ¾-inch crushed stone. The usual driveway top layer — drains well and locks together.
- Crusher run
- Crushed stone with the fines left in. Compacts to a near-solid base, which is why it goes underneath.
- Pea gravel
- Small, smooth, rounded. Comfortable underfoot, but it never locks together, so it needs edging.
- Ton vs cubic yard
- Weight versus volume. Gravel is roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard; never assume they are interchangeable.
Common questions
- How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
- A 100 ft × 12 ft driveway at 6 inches deep takes about 31 tons. Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to convert.
- How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
- Around 2,800 lb — 1.4 tons — for dry crushed stone. Wet material can be 10 to 15% heavier.
- How deep should driveway gravel be?
- Six to eight inches total for cars, in two layers: coarse base and finer top. Four inches is enough for foot traffic only.
- How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
- About 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 50 square feet at 4 inches.
- What size gravel is best for a driveway?
- Crusher run for the base, #57 stone on top. The base compacts and carries the load; the top drains and stays put.
- Can I put gravel straight on dirt?
- It will sink. Landscape fabric over graded soil first keeps the stone and the mud separate, which roughly doubles how long it lasts.
- How much does gravel cost?
- Typically $15 to $75 a ton depending on stone type and how far it travels. Delivery is often a bigger factor than the stone itself.