Gravel Calculator
Estimate cubic yards, tons, and cost for gravel, pea gravel, sand, or topsoil
Frequently Asked Questions
Most gravel driveways use a 4-inch depth of base gravel. Multiply the driveway's length by width to get square footage, then use this calculator with a 4-inch depth to get the cubic yards and tons needed.
Standard gravel/crushed stone weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel is a bit lighter at around 1.3 tons per cubic yard, and sand is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard — these are typical supplier figures, but always check with your specific supplier since density varies by material and moisture.
A 2-inch depth is common for a thin decorative gravel walkway, while a compacted base layer under pavers or a patio typically calls for 4-6 inches — check your specific project's requirements.
Yes — loose gravel compacts by roughly 10-20% once compacted and settled, so many suppliers recommend ordering a bit extra beyond the raw calculated volume, similar in principle to a waste factor.
How much gravel do you need?
Gravel is ordered by the cubic yard or by the ton. The calculator finds the volume of the area and converts it to weight using the material's density:
- Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic feet × density (lb per cubic foot) ÷ 2,000
Example
A 20 × 10 foot patio base 4 inches deep needs 20 × 10 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards. Crushed stone weighs about 105 pounds per cubic foot, so that is about 3.5 tons. Ordering 10% extra covers compaction and uneven ground.
Recommended depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway or garden path | 2 to 3 in |
| Patio or paver base | 4 to 6 in |
| Residential driveway | 8 to 12 in in layers |
| Drainage around a French drain | to fill the trench |
Material weights
| Material | Approx. tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone or gravel | 1.4 |
| Sand | 1.35 |
| Pea gravel | 1.3 |
| Topsoil | 1.0 |
| Mulch | 0.4 |
Tips
- Build driveways in layers. A typical driveway uses a base of larger stone (such as #3), a middle layer of #57 stone and a top layer of crushed stone with fines that packs tightly.
- Compact every 2 to 3 inches with a plate compactor; loose gravel settles and leaves ruts.
- Lay landscape fabric under paths to keep gravel from sinking into soil and to slow weeds.
- Delivery: bulk delivery usually has a minimum load and a fee; bagged gravel (about 0.5 cubic feet per bag) only makes sense for small jobs.
For beds and gardens, use the mulch calculator or the soil calculator, and for a trench drain the French drain calculator.