πͺ¨ Gravel Calculator
Cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons for any gravel project.
Gravel Needed
Estimates for planning only. Density varies by quarry and moisture; confirm with your supplier before ordering.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the length and width of the area in feet, the depth in inches, and your gravel type. The calculator converts to cubic feet and cubic yards, then applies the typical density for that stone type to give you tons. Order by whichever unit your supplier quotes.
Measure the area in feet. For curved paths, break the path into straight sections and add them, or measure the average width along the center line.
Enter the finished depth in inches. Use 2 to 3 inches for landscape beds, 4 inches for walkways and light driveways, and 6 inches for heavy vehicle areas.
Pick the gravel type. Crushed stone compacts and locks together for driveways; pea gravel and river rock are for decorative beds and drainage.
Check the tons against your supplier\'s truck capacity. A typical tandem dump truck hauls 15 to 20 tons, and many suppliers have a 1 to 3 ton delivery minimum.
The Gravel Volume Formula
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. The density numbers are industry-typical for dry, loose stone and let you move between the volume the project needs and the weight the supplier sells. Real density varies with the quarry, the stone size, and moisture content: wet stone weighs more, and compacted stone packs more weight into the same yard.
Note that depth in the formula is finished, compacted depth. Loose gravel settles about 20 to 30 percent when compacted, so if you spread 4 inches loose and roll it, you end up near 3 inches. For driveways, spread about 25 percent extra depth and compact in lifts to hit your target finished depth.
Worked Example
A 20x10 foot driveway at 4 inches deep with crushed stone. Volume = 20 x 10 x 4 / 12 = 66.67 cubic feet. Cubic yards = 66.67 / 27 = 2.47. Tons = 2.47 x 1.5 = 3.70 tons. A supplier quoting $55 per ton delivered would charge about $204; one quoting $75 per yard would charge about $185. The per-yard quote wins here, which is why converting both ways matters.
Landscape example: a 30x4 foot bed at 3 inches of pea gravel. Volume = 30 x 4 x 3 / 12 = 30 cubic feet = 1.11 cubic yards. Tons = 1.11 x 1.4 = 1.56 tons. That is a small single-axle delivery or about 45 bags of 0.5 cu ft bagged stone from a home center (bagged stone costs far more per yard than bulk).
Tips for Ordering and Spreading
Always prepare the base first. Strip the sod, compact the soil, and lay woven landscape fabric before any stone goes down. On driveways, crown the center about 2 inches higher than the edges so water sheets off instead of pooling and carving ruts. Edging (steel, stone, or timber) keeps the gravel from migrating into the lawn.
When the truck arrives, have it tailgate-spread if the driver offers it: a skilled driver can lay a surprisingly even layer as the truck moves, saving you hours of raking. Otherwise, dump in piles and pull the stone with a landscape rake, working from the far end back toward the truck so you never walk on finished work. Top up driveways every year or two; gravel migrates, compacts, and sinks, and a fresh inch on top is cheap maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel over a prepared base. Use 4 inches for light residential use and 6 inches where trucks or heavy vehicles drive. The base matters as much as the depth: compact the soil, lay landscape fabric to stop the stone sinking into mud, and crown the driveway slightly so water drains off.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, depending on the stone type and how compacted it is. Pea gravel runs about 1.4 tons per yard; crushed stone and river rock run about 1.5. That means a "ton" of gravel is roughly two-thirds of a cubic yard, a conversion that trips up a lot of first-time buyers.
Should I buy gravel by the ton or by the yard?
Suppliers sell both ways, so convert before you compare. Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 or 1.5 to get tons, or divide tons by the same number to get yards. This calculator shows both, so you can compare a per-ton quote against a per-yard quote directly. Delivery fees often matter more than the per-unit price.
What is the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?
Pea gravel is small, smooth, rounded stone that looks great in landscaping but shifts underfoot and under tires. Crushed stone has angular faces that lock together when compacted, making it far better for driveways, paths, and bases. Use crushed stone where you walk or drive, and pea gravel where you look.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
Yes, in almost every case. Fabric stops the gravel from sinking into soft soil and stops weeds and mud from working up through the stone. Without it, you will lose an inch or more of gravel into the ground in the first year and be topping up sooner than you planned.