Gravel calculator
How much gravel you need for a driveway, path or base layer — in cubic yards and in tons, because suppliers quote both.
Calculator
Detailed breakdown
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How to use this calculator
Measure
Measure the area in feet and decide your depth in inches. Four inches works for most driveways.
Calculate
Once you hit calculate, results update as you type. Change any number to compare options instantly.
Order
Print the estimate and take it to your supplier. Quantities are rounded up so you don't come up short.
Gravel by the yard and by the ton
Gravel gets sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons), and which one your supplier quotes is largely regional habit. This calculator returns both so you can order without doing conversions at the counter.
Volume is straightforward: length times width times depth in feet, divided by 27. Weight needs a density assumption, and we use 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a reasonable average for crushed stone. A 20 by 10 foot driveway at 4 inches deep comes to about 2.47 cubic yards or 3.5 tons.
Depth matters more than people expect. Two inches is decorative and will rut under a car. Four inches is the working minimum for a driveway on stable subgrade; six to eight if the ground is soft or you park anything heavy. Paths and borders are fine at two to three inches.
A note on density: crushed stone, pea gravel and river rock all have different weights, and all of them get heavier when wet. The tonnage here is an estimate for planning. If you are ordering a full truck and the number is close to a price break, call the supplier with your cubic yards and let them convert with their actual material weight.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for typical crushed stone, though it ranges from roughly 1.2 to 1.7 depending on stone type and moisture content.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Four inches minimum over stable subgrade. Six to eight inches on soft ground or where heavy vehicles park. Deeper layers are usually placed in two lifts and compacted.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, roughly 115 square feet. At 4 inches, about 58 square feet. Use the calculator for your exact dimensions.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Use a crushed base such as 3/4-inch minus, which compacts well, then top it with a decorative or angular stone. Rounded pea gravel migrates under tires and makes a poor driving surface.
Does gravel need a base?
For driveways, yes — a compacted base and often a geotextile fabric to keep the stone from sinking into the soil over time.
Sources
Formulas and material assumptions on this page follow published industry guidance: