Gravel Calculator
Get cubic yards and tons for a driveway, pad, or path — with real densities for crushed stone, pea gravel, river rock, and sand — before the truck shows up.
A single-car driveway is typically 10–12 ft wide.
Split L-shaped areas into rectangles and add them up.
New driveways are built in 2–3 layers — calculate each layer separately.
Dry weights — your supplier's conversion governs the final order.
You need
Enter dimensions
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Volume | — |
| Area covered | — |
| 0.5 cu ft bags | — |
Common crushed stone runs $25–$60 per ton at the yard; delivery extra.
How to Calculate Gravel
Gravel is quoted two ways — by the cubic yard at the landscape yard, and by the ton at the quarry and for delivery. You need both numbers:
- Find the volume. Area in square feet × depth in feet, ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
- Convert to tons. Multiply yards by the material's density — about 1.4 tons per yard for typical crushed stone.
- Round up per layer. Driveways are built in layers of different stone sizes; run the calculation once per layer.
Gravel formulas
Volume (yd³) = length × width × depth (all in feet) ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = volume in yards × density (1.3–1.5 t/yd³)
Worked example — 40 × 10 ft driveway layer at 4″: 400 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 133 cu ft ÷ 27 = 4.9 cubic yards × 1.4 = 6.9 tons.
Gravel Coverage Per Ton
| Depth | 1 ton covers (approx.) | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2″ | 100–110 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3″ | 65–75 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4″ | 50–55 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6″ | 33–37 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
Building a Gravel Driveway in Layers
- Base layer: 3–4″ of large clean stone (#3, fist-sized) for drainage and load spread.
- Middle layer: 3–4″ of 2–3″ stone to lock the base.
- Surface layer: 3–4″ of ¾″ crushed stone with fines (#57 or crusher run) — the fines compact into a tight, drivable surface.
- Fabric first: woven geotextile under the base keeps stone from sinking into soil — cheap insurance over clay.
Tips Before You Order
- Order by the supplier's conversion. Densities vary by quarry and moisture — give them your yards and let them convert to tons.
- A full-size pickup handles about 1 ton (roughly ⅔ yard) of stone safely. More than 2–3 tons? Get it delivered.
- Crushed vs. round: angular crushed stone locks in place; round pea gravel and river rock stay loose — fine for paths and beds, poor for slopes and driveways.
- Compact in lifts. Anything deeper than 4″ should go down in layers, each compacted before the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4–1.5 tons for crushed stone, 1.3 for river rock, 1.35 for sand — dry. Your supplier's conversion governs.
How much gravel for a single-car driveway?
10 × 40 ft at 4″ is about 5 cubic yards (~7 tons) per layer. A full new build is 2–3 layers.
How deep should gravel be?
2–3″ decorative, 3–4″ per driveway layer, 4–6″ compacted base under sheds and pavers.
How much does a ton cover?
Roughly 100–110 sq ft at 2″ deep, half that at 4″.
Best gravel size for a driveway?
¾″ crushed stone with fines (#57/crusher run) on top; larger clean stone below. Round pea gravel rolls — use it for paths.
Do I need fabric under gravel?
Under driveways and anything on soft soil, yes — geotextile stops stone from disappearing into the ground.
References
- National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association — aggregates basics: nssga.org
- US DOT Federal Highway Administration — gravel road construction & maintenance guide: fhwa.dot.gov
- Minnesota LTAP — gravel driveway and road surfacing guidance: mnltap.umn.edu