Gravel suppliers quote by the ton, but your project is measured in feet and inches. This calculator converts the size of a driveway, path or base layer into cubic yards and then into tons, using a weight per cubic yard you can adjust to match your supplier's stone.
How to use the gravel calculator
- Measure the area — length and width of the driveway, path or pad.
- Choose the depth. Walkways need 2–3 inches; driveways usually 4–6 inches in layers.
- Check the weight per cubic yard. 1.4 tons is a common estimate for crushed stone. Ask your supplier for their figure — it varies with stone size and moisture.
- Keep an allowance for compaction and uneven ground; 10% is typical.
- Add a price per ton to estimate the cost before delivery fees.
Gravel formula
Cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard × (1 + extra% ÷ 100)
Depth must be converted to feet first: 4 inches = 0.333 ft. The calculator does this automatically.
Worked example: a 50 × 10 ft driveway
- Volume: 50 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 166.7 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 166.7 ÷ 27 = 6.17 cu yd
- Weight: 6.17 × 1.4 = 8.64 tons
- With 10% extra: 8.64 × 1.10 = 9.51 tons
- At $40 per ton: about $380 before delivery
Gravel needed by area and depth
Using 1.4 tons per cubic yard, no extra allowance.
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 2 in | 0.62 | 0.86 |
| 100 sq ft | 4 in | 1.23 | 1.73 |
| 200 sq ft | 3 in | 1.85 | 2.59 |
| 200 sq ft | 4 in | 2.47 | 3.46 |
| 500 sq ft | 3 in | 4.63 | 6.48 |
| 500 sq ft | 4 in | 6.17 | 8.64 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 in | 9.26 | 12.96 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 4 in | 12.35 | 17.28 |
Choosing gravel
- Crushed stone with fines (sold under regional names such as crusher run or dense grade) packs tightly and makes a firm driveway surface or base.
- Clean crushed stone has no fines, drains well and suits drainage trenches and the bottom layer of a driveway.
- Pea gravel is round and comfortable underfoot for paths and play areas, but shifts under car tires.
- Use landscape fabric under paths to keep stone from sinking into soil.
Ordering by the yard instead? The Cubic Yard Calculator converts any volume. For beds, see the Mulch Calculator; for the slab on top of a gravel base, the Concrete Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the weight per yard. A 50 × 10 ft driveway 4 inches deep is 6.17 cubic yards — about 8.6 tons at 1.4 tons per yard.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
It depends on the stone and how much air is between the pieces. Many suppliers estimate about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard for crushed stone; washed and larger stone may be lighter, fines and damp material heavier. Your supplier can tell you the figure for their product.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A common approach is 4–6 inches in total, built in layers: larger crushed stone at the bottom and smaller stone or crushed stone with fines on top. Soft ground or heavy vehicles call for a deeper base.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 19.3 cu ft. Spread 2 inches deep that covers about 116 sq ft; at 3 inches about 77 sq ft; at 4 inches about 58 sq ft.
Why add extra gravel?
Gravel compacts when rolled or driven on, and the base is rarely perfectly level, so the loose volume you order is more than the finished volume. 10% extra is a common allowance.