How much gravel do I need?
Volume (cu ft) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per cubic yard)
Quarries and landscape yards sell gravel by the ton or by the cubic yard. To go from volume to weight you need the density of the material, which depends on the stone type, size and moisture. Typical figures for loose material are roughly 1.3 to 1.5 short tons per cubic yard (about 2,600–3,000 lb), and the calculator uses 1.4 by default. Your supplier can tell you the exact figure for their product.
Worked example: a 50 × 10 ft driveway, 4 in deep
- Volume: 50 × 10 × 4 ÷ 12 = 166.7 cu ft = 6.17 cu yd (4.72 m³).
- Weight at 1.4 tons per cu yd: 6.17 × 1.4 = 8.64 tons.
- With 10% extra for compaction: 6.79 cu yd, or 9.5 tons.
Typical depths
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative top layer, pea gravel paths | 2–3 in |
| Walkways | 3–4 in |
| Patio or paver base | 4–6 in compacted |
| Gravel driveway (new) | 8–12 in in several layers: coarse base, then finer top stone |
| Topping up a driveway | 2–4 in |
Driveways are usually built in layers, with large crushed stone at the bottom and smaller stone on top. Calculate each layer separately with its own depth and density.
Densities of common materials
| Material | Approx. tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.3–1.4 |
| Crushed stone (3/4 in) | 1.3–1.5 |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.5–1.7 (compacts well) |
| Dry sand | 1.3–1.4 |
| River rock | 1.2–1.4 |
These are approximate ranges for planning. Wet material weighs more, and density figures differ between quarries.
Compaction
Road base and crusher run are compacted with a plate compactor, which reduces their volume. Many suppliers suggest ordering 10–20% more for compacted base layers. Decorative gravel and pea gravel are not compacted, so they need little or no extra.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged gravel is commonly 0.5 cu ft per bag, so a cubic yard is 54 bags. Bags make sense for a small path or a few planters; for anything over about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually much cheaper. Check the delivery fee and whether the truck can reach your site.
Step by step: ordering gravel
- Measure the length and width of the area, splitting curves into rectangles.
- Choose the depth for each layer: base stone and top stone separately.
- Ask the supplier for the density of their product and whether they price by ton or by yard.
- Add extra for compaction on base layers.
- Check access: a delivery truck needs firm ground and space to tip.
Metric example
A path 15 m long and 1 m wide with 10 cm of gravel needs 15 × 1 × 0.10 = 1.5 m³. At 1.66 tonnes per m³ (the same as 1.4 short tons per cubic yard) that is 2.5 tonnes.
Choosing the right stone
- Crusher run, road base or "dense grade": a mix of crushed stone and fines that packs hard. Used for the bottom layer of driveways and under pavers.
- Clean crushed stone (e.g. 3/4 in): angular stone without fines that drains well. Used for drainage, French drains and driveway top layers.
- Pea gravel: small, rounded stone that is comfortable underfoot but moves around. Used for paths, play areas and between stepping stones, with edging to keep it in place.
- River rock: larger rounded stone for decorative beds and dry creek beds.
Common mistakes
- Ordering tons when the price is per yard, or the other way round. Confirm the unit with your supplier.
- Using one density for everything. A ton of large river rock covers less than a ton of pea gravel.
- Skipping landscape fabric under gravel paths, which lets the stone sink into the soil and needs topping up sooner.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width in feet by depth in inches, divide by 12 and by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4. A 50 × 10 ft driveway 4 in deep is 6.17 cu yd, about 8.6 tons.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Typically about 1.3–1.5 short tons (2,600–3,000 lb), depending on the stone size, type and moisture.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton is 0.71 cu yd. That covers about 58 sq ft at 4 in deep or 116 sq ft at 2 in.
How many bags of gravel are in a yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cu ft, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
How many tonnes of gravel per cubic metre?
Typically about 1.5–1.8 tonnes per cubic metre for gravel and crushed stone. 1.4 short tons per cubic yard equals about 1.66 tonnes per cubic metre.
Sources
- Quarry and aggregate supplier product data (typical loose bulk densities of 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard for gravel and crushed stone).
- NIST Handbook 44 Appendix C: 1 short ton = 2,000 lb = 0.907185 tonnes; 1 cubic yard = 0.764555 m³.
Last reviewed 20 October 2026. Results are estimates; see our disclaimer.