How to use the gravel calculator
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet. Use Circle for round areas, or enter square feet directly.
- Enter the depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Pick the material. Weight varies by type, so this matters when your supplier sells by the ton.
Gravel formula
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard ÷ 2000
Typical gravel weighs about 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) per cubic yard. Crushed stone and sand are similar; pea gravel and river rock are slightly lighter. Wet material weighs more.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Recommended depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway or garden path | 2–3 in (over landscape fabric) |
| Patio or shed base | 4 in compacted crushed stone |
| New driveway | 8–12 in in layers: large base stone, then smaller top stone |
| Refreshing a driveway | 2–3 in of top stone |
| Paver base | 4–6 in base + 1 in sand |
Gravel needed for common projects
| Project | Size | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 30 × 3 ft, 3 in | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Shed base | 10 × 12 ft, 4 in | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| Patio base | 12 × 16 ft, 4 in | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| Driveway refresh | 50 × 10 ft, 2 in | 3.1 | 4.3 |
| Single driveway | 50 × 10 ft, 4 in | 6.2 | 8.6 |
| Double driveway | 50 × 20 ft, 4 in | 12.3 | 17.3 |
Gravel compacts, so add about 10% when building a compacted base.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 2,400 to 2,900 lb, or about 1.2 to 1.45 tons, depending on the stone type and moisture. 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a common estimate.
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
A 50 × 10 ft driveway with 4 inches of gravel needs about 6.2 cubic yards, roughly 8.6 tons. Double it for a two-car width.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 100–115 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 50–60 sq ft at 4 inches deep, depending on the stone.