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Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards and Tons of Gravel
Enter the dimensions of the area you are covering to get the volume in cubic yards and cubic meters, an estimated tonnage, and a suggested order quantity including an allowance for compaction. Below the calculator you will find depth guidance for driveways, walkways and patio bases, worked examples for each, and an explanation of how gravel differs from crushed stone.
Volume required
4.94 yd³
3.78 m³ · 133.3 ft³
Estimated weight
6.91 tons
Suggested order
5.43 yd³ (7.6 tons)
Tonnage is an estimate. Aggregate density varies with stone type, particle size, moisture and the degree of compaction, and suppliers in different regions quote different conversion figures. Confirm with your supplier before ordering by weight.
Calculating gravel in cubic yards
Gravel is quoted by the cubic yard in most of North America and by the tonne or cubic metre elsewhere. Whichever unit your supplier uses, the starting point is the same volume calculation.
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, which is where the divisor comes from. If your project has more than one depth — a driveway with a thicker base layer under a thinner surface course, for example — calculate each layer separately and add the results.
Calculating in cubic meters
Metric measurements need no conversion step. Multiply length and width in meters by the depth in meters, which is the depth in centimeters divided by one hundred.
Estimated tons
To convert volume to weight, multiply the cubic yards by the bulk density of the material. Crushed stone is commonly taken as about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, though the figure varies by stone type and region.
This matters because many suppliers sell aggregate by weight rather than volume, and because trucks and trailers are limited by weight long before they run out of space. A single cubic yard of gravel is beyond the payload of most half-ton pickups.
Gravel depth guide
| Application | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 2 in | Over landscape fabric to limit weed growth |
| Garden pathway | 2–3 in | Edging keeps loose stone from spreading |
| Patio or paver base | 4–6 in | Compacted crushed stone beneath a sand setting bed |
| New residential driveway | 8–12 in total | Coarse base course plus a 3–4 in surface course |
| Resurfacing an existing driveway | 2–3 in | Over a base that is already sound |
| Drainage trench or French drain | Varies | Washed stone so fines do not clog the drainage path |
| Shed or workshop base | 4–6 in | Compacted in two layers for stability |
Depth is not the only consideration for a driveway. The subgrade has to be stable and drain properly; adding gravel over soft, saturated ground produces ruts within a season regardless of how much material you put down.
Worked examples
Driveway — 40 ft × 10 ft surface course at 4 inches
Round up to 5.5 or 6 cubic yards. Coming up short on a driveway means a second delivery charge for a fraction of a load.
Walkway — 30 ft × 3 ft at 3 inches
Below one cubic yard, check the supplier's minimum order — many will not deliver less than a yard, and some charge for a full yard regardless.
Patio base — 12 ft × 16 ft at 5 inches of crushed stone
A compacted base loses noticeable depth under a plate compactor, so the higher allowance is appropriate here. The sand setting bed above the base is calculated separately.
Gravel versus crushed stone
The two terms are used interchangeably in conversation, but they describe different materials with different behaviour.
Gravel in the strict sense is naturally occurring stone weathered into rounded shapes by water. Pea gravel and river rock are the familiar examples. Rounded stone drains freely and is comfortable underfoot, but the individual stones roll against each other rather than locking together, so it migrates under traffic and needs edging to stay put.
Crushed stone is quarried rock mechanically broken into angular pieces. Those angular faces interlock when compacted, which produces a stable surface that holds its shape. This is why crushed stone is the standard for driveways, patio bases and any surface that carries load.
A third category sits between them. Crusher run or dense graded aggregate mixes crushed stone with the stone dust produced during crushing. The fines fill the voids between larger pieces, so the material compacts into a nearly solid layer. It makes an excellent base but drains poorly, which is exactly why it should not be used in a French drain, where washed stone with the fines removed is required instead.
For calculation purposes the differences show up in density. Dense graded base with its fines packs tighter and weighs more per cubic yard than open, single-sized decorative stone.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Cubic yards per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | ~1.35 | ~0.74 |
| River rock | ~1.35 | ~0.74 |
| Crushed stone (¾ in) | ~1.40 | ~0.71 |
| Crusher run / road base | ~1.50 | ~0.67 |
| Decomposed granite | ~1.30 | ~0.77 |
One ton of typical crushed stone is roughly 0.71 cubic yards, which covers about 77 square feet at 3 inches deep or 58 square feet at 4 inches. These figures are working estimates rather than specifications; if a supplier quotes a different conversion for their material, use theirs.
Ordering allowance
Aggregate settles more than most landscape materials because compaction is usually the point. A layer spread loose at four inches will finish noticeably thinner once it has been rolled or driven over.
- 5% for decorative stone in a contained, level bed where no compaction is intended.
- 10% for general use — pathways, resurfacing, ground cover over a sound base.
- 15% for compacted base layers, rutted driveways, or anywhere the existing surface is uneven.
Two further points on ordering. Suppliers generally deliver in whole or half yards, or in whole tons where they sell by weight, so round up to the next increment they offer. And check where the truck can tip: a load of gravel needs a firm surface and reasonable overhead clearance, and moving it twice by barrow is a great deal of work.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length in feet by width in feet by the depth in inches divided by twelve, then divide by 27. For layered projects such as driveways, calculate each layer separately and add them.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Commonly between 1.3 and 1.5 tons depending on the material. Dense graded base is at the heavy end; lighter decorative stone at the lower end.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A new residential driveway is typically 8 to 12 inches total, built as a coarse base course with a 3 to 4 inch surface course on top. Resurfacing a driveway with a sound base usually needs only 2 to 3 inches.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton is roughly 0.71 cubic yards — around 77 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 58 square feet at 4 inches.
Should I use landscape fabric under gravel?
Under decorative stone it helps considerably with weed suppression and stops stone working down into the soil. Under a compacted driveway base, a woven geotextile serves a structural purpose by separating the aggregate from the subgrade, which is a different product from lightweight weed fabric.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
A common approach uses larger crushed stone for the base and ¾ inch or smaller angular stone for the surface. Rounded pea gravel is not well suited to driveways because it does not lock together and migrates under tyres.
Can I calculate gravel by the ton instead of the yard?
Yes. Calculate the volume in cubic yards first, then multiply by the tons-per-yard figure for your material. The calculator above shows both, along with the order quantity once an allowance is applied.