Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel or sand you need in cubic yards and tons for a driveway, path, patio base or drainage bed.
By CalcBuilt Editorial TeamUpdated September 11, 2026Formulas checked against manufacturer specs, see how we calculate.
Results
- Gravel / crushed stone needed
- 2.47 cu yd
- 66.7 cu ft
- Weight
- 3.46 tons
- 6,914 lb at 1.4 tons per cubic yard
- 0.5 cu ft (20 kg) bags
- 134 bags
- Typical 50 lb retail bag. Bags run 3 to 4 times the bulk price per ton; past about half a yard order bulk
- Area covered
- 200 sq ft
- At 4 in deep
Gravel formula
Cubic feet = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (in) / 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27
Tons = Cubic yards x density (1.4 for gravel or crushed stone, 1.35 pea gravel, 1.3 sand)Worked example
A 40 x 12 ft gravel driveway topped with 4 in of crushed stone: 40 x 12 x (4 / 12) = 160 cubic feet = 5.93 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard that is 8.3 tons. At $45 per ton, about $373 for material, plus a delivery fee of typically $75 to $150 per load.
Quick reference
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 16.7 | 0.62 | 0.86 |
| 3 in | 25.0 | 0.93 | 1.30 |
| 4 in | 33.3 | 1.23 | 1.73 |
| 6 in | 50.0 | 1.85 | 2.59 |
| 8 in | 66.7 | 2.47 | 3.46 |
How to calculate gravel
Multiply length by width in feet for the area, then multiply by depth in feet (inches divided by 12) to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 by 10 foot area at 4 inches deep needs 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards.
Suppliers sell bulk gravel by the ton, so the calculator converts at a typical density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone. Dense-graded base compacts 15 to 25 percent under a plate compactor, so 4 inches of crusher run ends up about 3-1/4 inches. Add 20 percent to any layer you will compact; loose decorative stone needs no allowance.
How deep should gravel be?
Paths and decorative beds need 2 to 3 inches. A driveway on well-drained soil takes 4 to 6 inches. Over clay in freeze-thaw country, 8 to 12 inches on geotextile fabric is common: 3 to 4 inches of #3 or #4 stone, then crusher run, then a crowned 3/4 inch minus top. Pavers need 4 inches of compacted base for foot traffic and 6 to 8 for cars, bedded on 1 inch of concrete sand, not mason sand.
Only dense-graded stone compacts. Crusher run, 3/4 minus, 21A, ABC, road base and Class 5 are regional names for that base material. #57, pea gravel and river rock are clean stone with no fines; they drain but never lock up, so they do not belong under pavers, a shed or a slab.
A single-axle dump truck carries 10 to 12 tons and a tri-axle 18 to 22. The delivery fee, typically $75 to $150 per load, is the same for 3 tons as for 12, so order the whole job at once. A loaded tri-axle weighs 70,000 lb or more and dumps in one pile; keep it off concrete aprons and septic fields and pick the drop spot before it arrives.
What this calculator leaves out
The result is loose volume for one layer. It does not include the compaction allowance, geotextile fabric, bedding sand and edge restraint for pavers, the delivery fee, or spreading and compacting. Run each layer of a driveway build-up as its own calculation.
Mistakes that cost money
- Round stone (pea gravel, river rock, #57) under pavers or a shed never locks up; the base shifts and the surface settles.
- No compaction allowance: 4 in of crusher run compacts to about 3-1/4 in, so the last load comes up short.
- Clean #57 as a driveway topcoat rolls under tires and migrates into the lawn; finish with 3/4 in minus instead.
- No geotextile over clay lets the stone pump into the mud; a clay driveway without fabric needs fresh gravel every couple of years.
- A loaded tri-axle weighs 70,000 lb or more; it cracks concrete aprons, crushes septic lines and dumps in one pile.
- Quoting cubic yards to a supplier who sells by the ton gets you a guess; convert at 1.4 tons per yard and order tons.
Key facts
- Crushed stone and gravel weigh about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard.
- One ton of gravel covers about 100 sq ft at 2 in deep or 50 sq ft at 4 in deep.
- A gravel driveway needs 4 to 6 in on well-drained soil, or 8 to 12 in over clay in freeze-thaw regions. A paver base needs 4 in of compacted crusher run, 6 to 8 in for vehicles.
- A half-ton pickup truck can safely carry about half a cubic yard of gravel.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for crushed stone or gravel. Pea gravel and river rock are around 1.35 tons, sand about 1.3 tons, and topsoil around 1.1 tons.
What kind of gravel goes under pavers, a shed or a driveway?
Dense-graded crusher run or 3/4 minus, sold regionally as 21A, ABC, road base or Class 5. It has fines that lock up under a plate compactor. Pea gravel, river rock and #57 are clean stone that never compacts, so they are for drainage beds and topcoats only.
How much does a yard of gravel cost?
Typically $30 to $60 per ton for crusher run in 2026 US retail. Add a delivery fee of typically $75 to $150 per load, the same for 3 tons as for 12. Decorative stone like river rock or pea gravel costs more per ton.
Sources and references
- Construction aggregates calculator (cubic yards to tons) (Vulcan Materials)
- Tech Spec 10: Application Guide for Interlocking Concrete Pavements (aggregate base thickness) (Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association)
- Chapter 5 Floors, Section R506.2.2 Base (gravel base under slabs), 2021 IRC (ICC)
Next steps for this project
The usual order for a landscaping & outdoor project. See all landscaping & outdoor calculators.
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Results are estimates based on standard formulas and typical product specifications. Confirm quantities with your supplier and local code before ordering.