How to calculate how much gravel you need
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Start with volume, then convert to weight if your supplier sells by the ton.
Tons = Cubic yards × weight per yard ÷ 2,000
Worked example
A path 20 ft long, 10 ft wide and 3 in deep, using crushed stone:
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
- Tons: 1.85 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 2.5 tons
How much does gravel weigh?
| Material | Typical weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,500–2,700 lb | ≈1.3 |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 2,600–2,800 lb | ≈1.35 |
| Crusher run / road base | 2,800–3,000 lb | ≈1.45 |
| River rock | 2,600–2,800 lb | ≈1.35 |
| Decomposed granite | 2,600–2,800 lb | ≈1.35 |
Wet gravel weighs more, and quarries vary, so ask your supplier for their figure if you are buying by the ton.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Recommended depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 2 in |
| Garden path or walkway | 2–3 in over landscape fabric |
| Pea gravel patio | 3–4 in over a compacted base |
| Gravel driveway | 8–12 in total, built in 3 layers of 4 in |
| Base under pavers or asphalt | 4–8 in compacted crusher run |
Building a gravel driveway in layers
A durable gravel driveway is built in layers, each compacted before the next goes on. A typical build uses large stone (#3) at the bottom, medium stone (#57) in the middle and crusher run or a fine crushed top layer that binds together. Work out each layer separately here and add the totals.
Compaction reduces volume. If the depth you entered is the finished compacted depth, increase the waste setting to 15–20% to allow for it.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 sq ft at 3 in and 81 sq ft at 4 in.
Is a ton of gravel the same as a yard?
No. A cubic yard is a volume and a ton is a weight. A cubic yard of most gravel weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons, so a ton of gravel is about 0.7 cubic yards.
How many bags of gravel equal a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet each. For anything more than about half a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
How much gravel do I need for a 100 ft driveway?
A 100 × 10 ft driveway with a 4 in top layer needs about 12.3 cubic yards, roughly 16.7 tons of crushed stone, before extra for waste.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.