Gravel Calculator
Enter the size of your area and how deep you want the gravel layer. You'll get the amount in cubic yards, tons and bags — plus a cost estimate if you know your supplier's price.
Results
How the gravel calculator works
The math is simple: multiply the length and width of the area to get square footage, then multiply by the depth of the layer to get volume. Suppliers sell by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet), so the calculator divides by 27, and uses the material's density to convert volume into weight.
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = cubic yards, then cubic feet × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 = US tons.
| Material | lb/ft³ | lb/yd³ | tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed gravel (¾") | 105 | 2,835 | ≈ 1.42 |
| Pea gravel | 96 | 2,592 | ≈ 1.30 |
| Crushed limestone | 100 | 2,700 | ≈ 1.35 |
| River rock | 94 | 2,538 | ≈ 1.27 |
| Crusher run / road base | 110 | 2,970 | ≈ 1.49 |
Tips before you order
- For driveways, use at least a 4" total depth — ideally two layers: larger base stone with ¾" crushed gravel on top.
- Walkways and garden paths are fine with 2–3" of gravel over landscape fabric.
- Gravel settles and works into the ground over time — the calculator's 10% extra covers this.
- One cubic yard is roughly one full-size pickup truck load (a standard bed holds about 1 yd³ of gravel by weight limit).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Most gravel weighs between 2,500 and 3,000 lb per cubic yard (1.25–1.5 US tons), depending on the type. Crushed ¾" gravel is about 2,800 lb, pea gravel about 2,600 lb.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 3-inch depth, one ton of gravel covers roughly 75–85 square feet. At 2 inches it covers about 110–125 sq ft, and at 4 inches about 55–65 sq ft.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A gravel driveway needs a total of at least 4–8 inches: a 4" base layer of larger stone (e.g. #3) topped with 2–4" of ¾" crushed gravel. A single 3" layer of gravel on bare soil will rut quickly.
Should I order gravel by the yard or by the ton?
Bulk suppliers use both. They're equivalent once you know the density — this calculator shows both figures, so you can compare quotes either way.