Gravel Calculator
Work out how many cubic yards or tons of gravel a driveway, path or drainage bed needs.
Quick estimating rule of thumb
For gravel: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. A cubic yard weighs about 1.4 tons. Driveways want 4 to 6 inches; paths 2 to 3. Order 10–15% extra because gravel compacts under traffic.
This gravel calculator turns the length, width and depth of an area into the cubic yards and tons of gravel you need to order, and shows the scale drawing it is measuring so a wrong unit is easy to catch before you call the yard.
It covers loose driveway gravel, crushed stone and pea gravel. Enter a price per yard or per ton to see the material cost, and the tool adds a 10% allowance because gravel compacts under traffic and settles into the sub-base.
How deep should gravel be?
For a residential driveway, plan on 4 to 6 inches of gravel total, usually built in two or three layers: a coarse 2–3 inch base stone, a middle layer, then a 1–2 inch surface course of smaller angular stone that locks together. A single 3-inch layer over bare soil will rut the first wet season.
For a garden path or a patio sub-base, 2 to 3 inches of compacted gravel over landscape fabric is enough. For French drains and dry wells, fill the trench with washed stone to within a few inches of the surface.
Yards or tons, depending on how gravel is sold
Quarries and most landscape yards sell gravel by the ton. A cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, so a 5-yard order is roughly 7 tons. The calculator shows both figures so you can match whichever one the supplier quotes and check the other against it.
A standard tandem dump truck carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards, or 14 to 20 tons. If your estimate is close to a full load, ask whether a partial load carries a smaller haul fee than a second trip later.
Why add ten percent
Gravel is delivered loose and then compacts under a plate compactor, under vehicle traffic, and into the soil below. A bed spread 4 inches deep loose can settle to 3.25 inches. Edges lose material, and ground is never perfectly level. Ordering 10% extra, or rounding up to the next half yard on a small job, keeps you from stopping work to wait for a second delivery. For driveways some contractors go to 15%.
Common gravel-ordering mistakes
Measuring loose depth instead of finished depth. Gravel compacts about 20%, so order for the loose depth: 5 inches loose to finish at 4.
Buying one size for the whole driveway. A driveway needs a coarse base stone and a finer angular top stone; a single layer of round stone never locks up.
Ignoring the haul fee. On small orders the delivery charge can exceed the stone cost. Worth combining with a neighbour or renting a trailer.
Forgetting edging. Without a hard edge, loose gravel migrates into the lawn within a season.
| Material | lb / ft³ | tons / yd³ | Sold by | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel (3/8″, rounded) | 100–105 | 1.35 | ton or yd³ | Paths, patios, dog runs, drainage |
| #57 crushed stone (3/4″, washed) | 100–105 | 1.35 | ton | Drainage, slab sub-base, French drains |
| 3/4″ minus / dense-grade | 105–115 | 1.45 | ton | Driveway base, paver base, road pack |
| Crushed concrete (RCA) | 100–110 | 1.35 | ton | Driveway base, structural fill (cheaper) |
| River rock (1–3″) | 95–105 | 1.40 | ton or yd³ | Dry creek beds, borders, xeriscape |
| Decomposed granite | 110–120 | 1.50 | ton | Paths, patios, natural-look driveways |
| Road base / Class 5 | 110–120 | 1.50 | ton | Compacted base under pavers, slabs, drives |
Background reading: how much a yard of gravel weighs, cubic yards to tons chart, gravel cost per ton and per yard and how deep should gravel be.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply the area (length × width) by the depth in the same unit to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 inches deep that is 200 × 0.333 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.5 cubic yards. Add about 10% for compaction.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for dry loose gravel, a little less for pea gravel and a little more for wet or dense-graded stone. The calculator uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard and lets you see both numbers.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
For a 4-inch-deep driveway, budget roughly one cubic yard for every 80 square feet, or about 12 square feet of coverage per ton. A 40 ft × 12 ft driveway needs about 6 cubic yards, or 8 to 9 tons.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Four to six inches total, ideally in layers: a coarse base stone topped with a smaller angular surface stone that compacts and locks together.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, about one ton covers 100 square feet. At 4 inches deep it covers about 50 square feet. Deeper coverage means less area per ton.
What is the difference between #57 stone and 3/4 minus?
#57 is washed and has the fines screened out, so it drains freely and is used for drainage and base. 3/4 minus keeps the crushed fines, so it compacts to a hard surface and is used for driveways and pack.
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. A 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 inches is about 2.5 cubic yards before the 10% compaction allowance.
How much does a yard of gravel cost?
Material runs roughly $15 to $60 per cubic yard depending on the stone and your region, plus a delivery fee. Enter your local price to get a cost estimate.
How many wheelbarrow loads are in a yard of gravel?
A typical contractor wheelbarrow holds about 3 cubic feet heaped, so a cubic yard is roughly 9 to 14 loads.
How many cubic yards of gravel does a dump truck hold?
A standard tandem-axle dump truck carries 10 to 14 cubic yards, roughly 14 to 20 tons of gravel. Smaller single-axle trucks carry about 5 cubic yards.
How much gravel do I need for a 2-car parking pad?
A 20 ft × 20 ft pad at 4 inches deep needs about 4.9 cubic yards, or 6.9 tons, before the 10% allowance.
Can I put new gravel over old gravel?
Yes. Grade and compact the existing surface, fill any potholes, then add 2 to 3 inches of fresh angular stone. You do not need to remove the old base.
How much does gravel settle after delivery?
Loose-tipped gravel compacts roughly 15 to 20% under traffic and a plate compactor, which is why the calculator adds a waste allowance and why driveways are ordered at the loose depth.
What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway?
Crushed concrete (recycled) and locally quarried 3/4-inch minus are usually the cheapest per ton. Washed decorative stone and imported river rock cost several times more.