Gravel is ordered two ways — by the cubic yard (volume) or by the ton (weight) — and quarries often quote one while your plan uses the other. This gravel calculator gives you both. Enter the size and depth of your driveway, path or base layer and it returns the cubic yards to order, the approximate weight in tons and the cost at your supplier's price.
Crushed stone is the single largest category of non-fuel mineral produced in the United States, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, so prices and products vary a lot by region. That is why the density field is editable: the default of 1.4 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lb) is a typical mid-range value for dry crushed stone and gravel, but your supplier can tell you the exact figure for their product. For depth-only conversions use the cubic yard calculator; if you are pouring a slab over the gravel base, size the concrete with the concrete slab calculator.
How to use the gravel calculator
- Pick the shape and enter the length and width (or diameter) of the area.
- Enter the finished depth of gravel. Walkways often use 2–3 inches; driveways are commonly built in layers totalling 4–8 inches or more.
- Leave 10% or more in the waste field to cover compaction and uneven ground.
- Check the density with your supplier and adjust it if needed (see the table below).
- Enter a price per ton or per cubic yard to estimate cost. If you fill in both, the per-yard price is used.
Formula
Depth in inches is converted by dividing by 12. Pounds are tons × 2,000 (U.S. short tons).
Worked example
A single-car gravel driveway is 50 ft long and 10 ft wide, with 4 inches of gravel.
- Volume: 50 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 166.7 ft³.
- Cubic yards: 166.7 ÷ 27 = 6.17 yd³.
- Add 10% for compaction: 6.17 × 1.10 = 6.79 yd³.
- Weight at 1.4 tons/yd³: 6.79 × 1.4 = 9.51 tons (about 19,000 lb).
- At $45 per ton, the stone costs about 9.51 × 45 = $428 before delivery and tax.
That is roughly one large tandem dump-truck load, so ask whether your supplier charges per trip.
Typical gravel densities
| Material | Approx. tons per yd³ |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel (dry) | 1.3 – 1.5 |
| Crushed stone, ¾″–1½″ | 1.3 – 1.5 |
| Crusher run / road base (compacts tightly) | 1.4 – 1.6 |
| River rock | 1.3 – 1.4 |
Ranges are typical industry figures for dry, loose material; wet or tightly graded material is heavier. Always use your supplier's published weight when ordering by the ton.
Recommended gravel depth by project
- Garden paths: 2–3 in of pea gravel or decomposed granite over landscape fabric.
- Patio or paver base: 4–6 in of compacted crushed stone, plus about 1 in of bedding sand.
- Driveways: typically a 4–6 in base of larger crushed stone, then 2–4 in of a smaller top stone. Soft or clay soils may need more.
- Drainage trenches: fill depth of the trench, usually with clean ¾″ stone.
Caveats and assumptions
- Density is the biggest source of error when converting yards to tons. Moisture alone can change weight by 10% or more.
- Compaction: road base and crusher run can lose 15–25% of their loose volume when compacted with a plate compactor. Increase the waste figure if you will compact heavily.
- Delivery is usually priced separately and many quarries have a minimum load.
- This calculator sizes material only. Driveways carrying heavy vehicles may need geotextile fabric, drainage and a design suited to your soil.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Most dry gravel and crushed stone weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons (2,600–3,000 lb) per cubic yard. This calculator uses 1.4 tons by default; change it to your supplier's figure.
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4. A 50 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches needs roughly 8.6 tons before compaction allowance and about 9.5 tons with 10% extra.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.71 yd³ (19.3 ft³). At 2 inches deep that covers about 116 ft²; at 4 inches about 58 ft².
Should I order gravel by the ton or the yard?
Order in whichever unit your supplier prices in, and use this calculator to convert. Weight-based pricing is common at quarries because loads are weighed on a scale.
How deep should pea gravel be?
For paths and patios, 2 to 3 inches is common. Deeper than about 3 inches tends to feel loose underfoot.
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey — Crushed Stone Statistics and Information — U.S. production and uses of crushed stone
- NIST — Unit Conversion — foot, yard, ton definitions
This calculator gives estimates for planning and education. Check measurements, local codes, supplier specs and your school's official policy before relying on a result. See our disclaimer and how we build and check calculators.