By weight
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By the yard
Gravel calculator
Estimate gravel, aggregate or crushed stone for driveways, drainage, paths and base — in cubic yards and tons, with the density built in and editable.
Area & depth
FIG. 01required
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Default density 1.5 tons/yd³ for gravel, aggregate or crushed stone. Bulk material varies with moisture and compaction — override the density if your supplier quotes a specific figure.
You need
—cu yd
Order to nearest ½ yd → —
Coverage area
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How this is calculated
Multiply area by depth, convert to cubic yards, and to tons using gravel's density (about 1.5 tons per cubic yard). A 4-inch base is standard for paths and patios; driveways use 4–6 inches. This calculator shows both yards and tons since gravel is sold both ways.
cubic yards = (length × width × depth in ft) ÷ 27 · tons = cubic yards × 1.5
Densities vary by moisture and source; see the methodology for figures and sources. Other materials are on the materials hub.
Worked example
For a 100 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches of gravel: convert depth to feet (0.333 ft), multiply the volume (100 × 10 × 0.333 = 333 ft³), and divide by 27 to get 13.58 cubic yards. Crushed stone runs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so:
13.58 yd × 1.5 = about 20.4 tons of gravel. Order a little extra — gravel compacts when rolled, so add roughly 10–20% for a driving surface.
Gravel by area (4 in deep, 1.5 tons/yd)
| Area | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 1.36 | 2.0 |
| 20 × 10 ft | 2.72 | 4.1 |
| 50 × 10 ft | 6.79 | 10.2 |
| 100 × 10 ft | 13.58 | 20.4 |
| 100 × 12 ft | 16.30 | 24.4 |
| 100 × 20 ft | 27.16 | 40.7 |
Depth scales the tonnage directly. That 100 × 10 ft drive needs about 10.2 tons at 2 in, 20.4 tons at 4 in, or 30.6 tons at 6 in. Go with at least 4 inches for a driveway, and 6 or more over soft ground — usually built in layers, a coarse base under a finer driving surface.
FAQ
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply area by depth, convert to cubic yards, and to tons using gravel's density (about 1.5 tons per cubic yard). A 4-inch base is standard for paths and patios; driveways use 4–6 inches. This calculator shows both yards and tons since gravel is sold both ways.
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
About 1.4–1.7 tons for most gravel, depending on stone size and moisture. We use 1.5 as a planning figure; enter a custom density if your supplier quotes a specific value.