Gravel Calculator
Cubic yards and tons of gravel for a driveway, path, or pad.
2 to 3 in per layer for paths, 4 in or more total for driveways.
Crushed stone and pea gravel are about 1.4. Ask your supplier if unsure.
You need
1.85 cubic yards
Round up when ordering. Most suppliers sell in half-yard or half-ton increments.
- Approximate weight
- 2.59 tons
- Volume
- 50.0 cu ft
- Coverage area
- 200 sq ft
Estimates only. Verify quantities before ordering.
How this is calculated
Volume = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 12, converted to cubic yards by dividing by 27. Tons = cubic yards x density (tons per cubic yard).
Enter the length and width of the area in feet and the depth of gravel in inches. The calculator returns volume in cubic yards, which is how landscape yards sell in bulk, and converts it to tons, which is how quarries and dump-truck deliveries are usually priced.
The cubic-yard figure is pure geometry, but the ton figure depends on density. Most crushed stone and pea gravel weighs around 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Dry sand runs closer to 1.3, and heavier materials like decomposed granite can reach 1.6. If your supplier quotes a density, enter it for a more accurate ton count.
Gravel for common project sizes
Rows assume typical crushed stone at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Round up when ordering, since most suppliers sell in half-yard or half-ton steps.
| Area and depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 3 x 50 ft, 3 in (garden path) | 1.39 cubic yards | 1.94 tons |
| 10 x 10 ft, 2 in (pad top-up) | 0.62 cubic yards | 0.86 tons |
| 12 x 12 ft, 4 in (patio base) | 1.78 cubic yards | 2.49 tons |
| 10 x 20 ft, 4 in (parking spot) | 2.47 cubic yards | 3.46 tons |
| 12 x 40 ft, 4 in (driveway) | 5.93 cubic yards | 8.30 tons |
| 12 x 100 ft, 4 in (long driveway) | 14.81 cubic yards | 20.74 tons |
Common questions
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 2 inch depth, one ton of typical crushed stone covers roughly 100 square feet. At 3 inches it covers about 70 square feet, and at 4 inches about 50. Exact coverage depends on the material's density and how much it compacts.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A proper gravel driveway is built in layers: about 4 inches of large base stone, then 3 to 4 inches of medium stone, topped with 2 to 3 inches of a smaller surface gravel like crusher run or #57 stone. For a light-duty refresh of an existing driveway, a 2 inch top-up layer is common.
Should I buy gravel by the yard or by the ton?
It is the same material either way, so compare the delivered price per cubic yard. Landscape yards usually price by the yard, quarries by the ton. Use the density figure to convert: at 1.4 tons per yard, a $50 per ton quote equals about $70 per cubic yard.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
For paths and decorative beds, fabric helps keep gravel from sinking into the soil and slows weeds. Under driveways, a woven geotextile is worth it on soft or clay soils because it keeps the base layer from pumping into the subgrade. Skip fabric under a compacted paver base, where it can interfere with drainage.