Gravel Calculator
- Updated Jul 2026
This free gravel calculator works out how much gravel, crushed stone or rock your project needs in cubic yards, tons and bags. One ton of gravel covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep. Enter your area, depth and stone type below for exact quantities and cost.
Table of Contents
Gravel Calculator
Enter Your Details
Fill in the fields, then press Calculate.
Fill in your information on the left to see your result.
Results are estimates for planning purposes. Verify quantities for structural or safety-critical work.
How to use this gravel calculator
Gravel differs from mulch or soil in one important way: suppliers sell it by weight, not volume. That means every order involves two conversions, and the gravel calculator handles both:
- Enter your area, Length and width in feet, or a total square footage if you already have it.
- Set the depth in inches. Two to four inches suits most surface layers.
- Pick your stone type. Density varies from 1,391 to 3,374 lb per cubic yard, and that choice changes your tonnage significantly.
- Add compaction and waste allowances, plus a price per ton for a full cost estimate.
Results return in cubic yards, cubic feet, pounds, US tons and metric tonnes at once, so you can match whatever unit your quarry quotes.
Gravel Calculation formula: volume then weight
Two steps, always in this order. The gravel calculator runs them back to back:
Step 1 — Cubic yards = Area (sq ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324Step 2 — Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per yd³)
Most gravel sits between 1.2 and 1.7 tons per cubic yard, with 1.4 a safe working average for standard crushed stone. That figure is the one every supplier quote hinges on, and it is why two people ordering “3 yards” can end up with very different weights on the invoice.
The number to remember: 1 cubic yard of gravel ≈ 1.4 US tons. A ton covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep.
How to calculate gravel step by step
If you would rather check the maths by hand, the gravel calculator follows these six steps:
- Measure length and width in feet and multiply for the area in square feet.
- Choose your depth in inches.
- Multiply area × depth ÷ 324 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards × density for tons.
- Add compaction if the layer will be tamped or driven on.
- Add 5–10% waste and round up, quarries rarely split loads finely.
Worked example: a gravel driveway
A driveway 40 ft long by 12 ft wide, finished at 4 inches of #57 crushed stone:
- Area: 40 × 12 = 480 sq ft
- Cubic yards: 480 × 4 ÷ 324 = 5.93 yd³
- Tons at 1.22 tons/yd³ for #57: 5.93 × 1.22 = 7.23 tons
- Plus 10% compaction and waste: ≈ 8 tons
Enter those same figures into the gravel calculator and it returns the tonnage, the cubic yards and the delivered cost together.
Gravel coverage chart
Use this to sanity-check any result the gravel calculator gives you. One cubic yard of gravel spread at different depths:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers | Yards per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | ~232 sq ft | 3.1 yd³ |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ~116 sq ft | 6.2 yd³ |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ~77 sq ft | 9.3 yd³ |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ~58 sq ft | 12.3 yd³ |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ~39 sq ft | 18.5 yd³ |
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
| Tonnage | Cubic yards | Covers at 2″ | Covers at 4″ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | 0.71 yd³ | 116 sq ft | 58 sq ft |
| 3 tons | 2.14 yd³ | 347 sq ft | 173 sq ft |
| 6 tons | 4.29 yd³ | 694 sq ft | 347 sq ft |
| 10 tons | 7.14 yd³ | 1,157 sq ft | 579 sq ft |
| 20 tons | 14.3 yd³ | 2,314 sq ft | 1,157 sq ft |
These figures assume standard density; the gravel calculator applies your chosen stone type’s actual density instead, which matters most at the extremes, lava rock covers roughly double the area per ton.
Tons and yards are not interchangeable. Ordering “6 yards” when you calculated 6 tons delivers roughly 40% more material than you need. Always confirm which unit your supplier is quoting.
If you need the underlying volume figure on its own, our cubic yard calculator handles any shape and depth, and our square footage calculator covers the area step for irregular spaces.
Types of gravel and their densities
Stone type matters more here than in any other material calculation, because density directly changes your tonnage. Every type below is preloaded in the gravel calculator, so selecting the right one is the single most important input you’ll make.
| Gravel type | Size | Density (lb/yd³) | Tons/yd³ | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | ⅛–⅜″ | 2,565 | 1.28 | Walkways, playgrounds, decorative |
| Crushed stone #57 | ½–¾″ | 2,431 | 1.22 | Driveways, drainage, concrete mix |
| Crushed stone #411 | 0–¾″ | 2,835 | 1.42 | Compactable driveway base |
| Dense graded (DGA/QP) | 0–¾″ | 3,374 | 1.69 | Road base, high-traffic areas |
| River rock | 1–2″ | 2,835 | 1.42 | Landscaping, dry creek beds |
| Bank run gravel | 0–3″ | 3,240 | 1.62 | Bulk fill, sub-base |
| Decomposed granite | 0–¼″ | 2,781 | 1.39 | Paths, patios, natural finish |
| Marble chips | ⅜–¾″ | 2,565 | 1.28 | Decorative beds, white accents |
| Lava rock | ½–3″ | 1,391 | 0.70 | Lightweight decorative mulch |
| Riprap | 6–24″ | 2,700 | 1.35 | Erosion control, shorelines |
Select the closest match in the gravel calculator, or enter a custom density if your supplier provides an exact figure for their product.
Gravel by size classification
| Class | Size | Density (lb/yd³) | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 2–8 mm | 2,565 | Between pavers, fine paths |
| Medium | 8–16 mm | 2,700 | General landscaping |
| Coarse | 16–32 mm | 2,835 | Drainage, French drains |
| Extra coarse | 32–64 mm | 2,970 | Large drainage, erosion control |
Class 5, 3/4 minus, crusher run: same stone, different names
This causes more ordering confusion than anything else in the yard. Compactable base gravel goes by a different name in almost every region, and quarries rarely explain that they are describing the same product. Pick whichever name your supplier uses in the gravel calculator, they all share the same density range.
| Regional name | Where used | Actually is |
|---|---|---|
| Class 5 | Minnesota, Upper Midwest | Dense graded aggregate — crushed stone from dust up to about ¾″, with fines that lock together under compaction. Density roughly 2,800–3,400 lb/yd³. |
| 3/4 minus | Western US, Pacific NW | |
| Crusher run | Southeast, Mid-Atlantic | |
| DGA / dense grade | Northeast, spec sheets | |
| QP (quarry process) | New York, New Jersey | |
| Road base / #411 | National, Ohio Valley |
Fines vs clean stone
The presence or absence of fines, the dust and small particles between the larger stones determines whether gravel compacts or drains. Getting this wrong is why driveways rut and French drains clog.
Recommended gravel depth
Enter whichever depth matches your application into the gravel calculator:
| Application | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative beds | 2–3″ | Lay fabric underneath to stop weeds |
| Garden paths | 2–3″ | Edging keeps stone from migrating |
| Patio base under pavers | 4–6″ | Compact in 2″ lifts |
| Light-use driveway | 4–6″ total | Two layers minimum |
| Heavy-use driveway | 8–12″ total | Three layers, compacted |
| French drain | Fill trench | Clean stone only, no fines |
| Shed or gravel pad | 4–6″ | Compacted base, level finish |
Gravel driveway layers
A driveway is not one depth of one material. Run the gravel calculator once per layer and add the tonnages together:
Light-use driveways can drop the sub-base and run two layers at 4–6 inches total. Heavy vehicles need the full three-layer build. Whatever the spec, the gravel calculator gives you the tonnage per layer once you enter each depth in turn.
Compaction: how much extra to order
Gravel with fines loses significant volume when tamped, and forgetting this is the most common reason a driveway ends up short. Add the relevant percentage in the gravel calculator’s compaction field before ordering:
| Material | Compaction allowance | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel, #57 (clean stone) | 0–5% | Barely compacts; stones just settle |
| River rock, marble chips | 0–5% | Decorative, laid loose |
| Decomposed granite | 15–20% | Fines pack down tightly |
| Crusher run / #411 | 20–25% | Designed to lock together |
| Class 5 / DGA base | 25–30% | Heavy mechanical compaction |
Add waste on top of compaction, not instead of it, 5–10% covers spillage, uneven subgrade and rake loss. Our percentage calculator handles the combined uplift in one step.
How many bags of gravel do I need?
Bagged stone suits small jobs and awkward access, but the counts climb fast. Bags are sold by weight (usually 50 lb) or volume (0.5 cu ft), and the gravel calculator shows bag counts alongside tons so you can compare both routes.
| Bag type | Bags per cubic yard | Bags per ton | Covers at 2″ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 lb bag | ~56 bags | 40 bags | ~3 sq ft each |
| 0.5 cu ft bag | 54 bags | ~38 bags | ~3 sq ft each |
| 0.75 cu ft bag | 36 bags | ~25 bags | ~4.5 sq ft each |
| 1.0 cu ft bag | 27 bags | ~19 bags | ~6 sq ft each |
A 100 sq ft path at 2 inches needs about 0.6 cubic yards — roughly 34 bags at 50 lb each. Past about one cubic yard, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper and far less work.
How much does gravel cost?
| Type | Typical price per ton | Per cubic yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank run / fill gravel | $15–$30 | $25–$50 | Cheapest bulk option |
| Crusher run / Class 5 | $20–$35 | $30–$55 | Standard base material |
| Crushed stone #57 | $25–$45 | $35–$65 | Most common driveway stone |
| Pea gravel | $30–$60 | $45–$85 | Decorative premium |
| River rock | $45–$100 | $65–$140 | Varies by color and size |
| Marble chips / lava rock | $100–$200+ | Varies | Specialty decorative |
Prices are indicative and swing heavily by region and haul distance — quarry-adjacent areas pay far less. Enter your local rate into the gravel calculator for an accurate total, and if your supplier is running a seasonal deal, our discount calculator shows what the reduced rate saves across the full load.
Delivery and truck capacity
Once the gravel calculator gives your tonnage, check it against what your vehicle or supplier can actually carry:
| Vehicle | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half-ton pickup | ~1 ton | Well under a full yard by volume |
| Three-quarter-ton pickup | ~1.5 tons | Check the payload plate |
| Small dump truck | 5–7 tons | Good for single-driveway jobs |
| Tandem dump truck | 13–15 tons | Standard bulk delivery |
| Tri-axle | 18–22 tons | Large driveways and lots |
Prices are indicative and swing heavily by region and haul distance — quarry-adjacent areas pay far less. Enter your local rate into the gravel calculator for an accurate total, and if your supplier is running a seasonal deal, our discount calculator shows what the reduced rate saves across the full load.
Weight is the limit, not volume. A pickup bed will physically hold two yards of gravel — that is nearly three tons, well beyond what most half-ton trucks can legally or safely carry.
Common gravel ordering mistakes
- Confusing tons with yards. They differ by roughly 40% for standard stone.
- Ignoring compaction on base layers, leaving the driveway short by a quarter.
- Using clean stone as a base. #57 and pea gravel never lock together and will rut under traffic.
- Skipping geotextile fabric, which lets stone sink into the subsoil within a season.
- Applying one thick layer instead of compacted lifts.
- Assuming all gravel weighs the same, lava rock is half the density of dense graded base.
Selecting the correct stone type in the gravel calculator prevents most of these, since each option carries its own density and compaction default.
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Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply your area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 324 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 for tons. A 480 sq ft driveway at 4 inches needs roughly 7 tons.
How many tons is a yard of gravel?
About 1.4 US tons for standard crushed stone. It ranges from 0.7 tons for lava rock to 1.69 tons for dense graded base.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
Roughly 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 58 sq ft at 4 inches, assuming standard density.
What is #57 stone used for?
#57 is a clean crushed stone of ½–¾ inch with no fines. It is the most common driveway surface stone and works well for drainage, French drains and concrete mixes, but it does not compact into a firm base.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Yes. Class 5, 3/4 minus, crusher run, DGA, QP and road base all describe dense graded aggregate with fines. The name changes by region, not the product.
Is Class 5 the same as 3/4 minus?
Yes. Class 5, 3/4 minus, crusher run, DGA, QP and road base all describe dense graded aggregate with fines. The name changes by region, not the product.
How many bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 56 bags at 50 lb each, or 54 bags at 0.5 cubic feet each. The gravel calculator converts your total automatically once you pick a bag size.
How deep should gravel be?
Two to three inches for decorative beds and paths, four to six inches for patio bases and light driveways, and eight to twelve inches in compacted layers for heavy traffic.
Sources and further reading: Stone sizing on this page follows the ASTM D448 aggregate sizing standard, and density figures align with guidance from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Confirm exact densities with your supplier, as moisture content affects delivered weight.