Gravel Calculator
This gravel calculator works out how many cubic yards and tons of gravel or crushed stone you need for a path, patio base or driveway, plus the number of bags for smaller jobs.
Result
1.23 cubic yards of gravel
| Weight | 1.73 tons |
|---|---|
| Volume | 1.23 yd³ (33.3 ft³) |
| Bags (0.5 cu ft each) | 67 |
| Area covered | 100 ft² |
Results update as you type.
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Gravel is sold two ways. Landscape yards sell it by the cubic yard, and quarries and many bulk suppliers sell it by the ton. Bags at the home center are labeled in cubic feet. The calculator gives you all three, so you can compare quotes however your supplier prices it.
How to Calculate Gravel by Hand
1. Volume
Volume (ft³) = length (ft) × width (ft) × (depth (in) ÷ 12)
For a circle, use 3.1416 × (diameter ÷ 2)² for the area instead of length × width.
2. Cubic yards
Cubic yards = volume (ft³) ÷ 27
3. Tons
Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per yd³)
We default to 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Use 1.5 for crusher run or road base with fines. Better still, use the figure your supplier gives you.
Worked example: a garden path
You’re laying a path 30 feet long and 3 feet wide, with 4 inches of crushed stone:
- Volume: 30 × 3 × (4 ÷ 12) = 30 ft³
- Cubic yards: 30 ÷ 27 = 1.11 yd³
- Weight: 1.11 × 1.4 = 1.56 tons
- Bags: 30 ÷ 0.5 = 60 bags of 50 lb gravel
That’s 3,000 lb of bagged stone, so a bulk delivery is worth pricing even for a modest path.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Match the stone to the job
- Pea gravel: smooth, rounded and comfortable underfoot. It shifts around, so it needs firm edging.
- Crushed stone (such as #57): angular pieces that lock together. Good for drainage, under pavers and for driveway top layers.
- Crusher run / road base: crushed stone mixed with fines that compacts almost like concrete. Use it for driveway and patio bases.
Each weighs a little differently, which is why the density field is editable.
Excavate before you measure depth
Gravel laid on top of grass or soil sinks and spreads. Dig out the area to the full depth first. Lay landscape fabric if you want to slow down weeds, then fill and compact in layers of about 2 inches.
Compaction changes the numbers
Loose stone settles when you tamp or drive on it, especially base material with fines. Your measured depth is the finished, compacted depth, so a bit of extra stone is normal. Round up to your supplier’s next increment rather than ordering exactly.
Use gravel under concrete and in post holes
A few inches of gravel under a slab or in the bottom of a post hole helps drainage. Work out the stone here and the concrete with our concrete calculator. Our fence calculator covers posts, rails and post concrete in one go.
Plan the drop zone
A dump truck needs a firm, clear spot with enough overhead room to raise its bed. Put a tarp down if the pile lands on grass. Spreading a few tons by wheelbarrow is a full day of work, so get help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Most crushed stone and gravel weighs about 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. The exact figure depends on the type of rock, the stone size and how wet it is. Washed stone sits near the low end, and mixes with fines, such as crusher run or road base, are heavier. Ask your supplier what they use to convert yards to tons.
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length by width by depth to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the stone's weight per yard. A 50 by 10 foot driveway at 4 inches deep is 6.17 cubic yards, which is about 8.6 tons at 1.4 tons per yard.
How deep should gravel be?
Decorative gravel and walkways are commonly laid 2 to 4 inches deep. Driveways usually need 4 inches or more of compacted stone, often built up in layers with a coarser base underneath. Soft or wet soil needs a thicker base.
How many bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
A common 50 lb bag of gravel holds about 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard takes 54 bags. Past about half a yard, bulk gravel from a landscape supplier or quarry is usually far cheaper and a lot less lifting.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 19.3 cubic feet. That covers about 116 square feet at 2 inches deep, 77 square feet at 3 inches, or 58 square feet at 4 inches.
Should I order extra gravel?
Gravel that is tamped or driven on packs down, especially base materials with fines. Rounding up to your supplier's next delivery increment usually covers this. For a compacted driveway base, ask the supplier how much extra they recommend for that material.
Related Calculators
- Mulch CalculatorBags or cubic yards of mulch, topsoil and compost for any bed.
- Concrete CalculatorBags and cubic yards for slabs, footings and post holes.
- Fence CalculatorPosts, rails, pickets and post concrete for a wood fence.
- Deck CalculatorDeck boards, linear feet and joists for a rectangular deck.
Sources & Assumptions
- Default density 1.4 short tons per cubic yard, the low end of the 1.4–1.7 tons/yd³ range published for crushed stone and gravel by aggregate suppliers and estimating references. Confirm with your quarry; the field is editable.
- Bag size 0.5 cu ft matches common 50 lb retail bags of all-purpose gravel. Check the bag you buy.
- Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb). Metric results use tonnes (1,000 kg).
- Volumes and weights are rounded only for display. Bag counts always round up.
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