Use this gravel calculator to find how many cubic yards and tons of gravel you need. Pick your project and it sets the right stone and depth automatically — including the three separate layers a new driveway needs. It also adds the compaction allowance most calculators leave out, and tells you how many truckloads to order.
Area to cover
Area: 0 sq ft
Layers
Compaction, waste & delivery — adjust defaults
Compacted gravel loses about 20% of its loose volume under a plate compactor. Skip it (set 0) for loose decorative stone.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How to calculate gravel by hand
Gravel is priced by the cubic yard or, more often, by the ton. Two steps: volume first, then weight.
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × density (tons per cubic yard)Worked example: a 24 ft × 12 ft parking pad at 4 inches deep. Depth is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft. Volume: 24 × 12 × 0.333 = 96 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 3.56 cubic yards. With 3/4" crushed stone at 1.45 tons/yd³, that is 3.56 × 1.45 ≈ 5.2 tons.
Gravel weight and coverage by type
| Gravel type | Density (tons/yd³) | Coverage per ton at 2" | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | ~115 sq ft | Paths, playgrounds, drainage |
| 3/4" crushed stone (#57) | 1.45 | ~110 sq ft | Driveway surface, French drains |
| Crushed limestone | 1.50 | ~108 sq ft | Driveways, walkways |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.70 | ~95 sq ft | Compacted base layers |
| River gravel 1"–2" | 1.50 | ~108 sq ft | Decorative beds, drainage |
| Decomposed granite | 1.40 | ~115 sq ft | Paths, xeriscaping |
Densities are averages for dry material; moisture and compaction can push real-world weight up by 10% or more. When your supplier lists a tons-per-yard figure for the exact product, use theirs.
A driveway is three layers, not one
This is where most gravel estimates go wrong. A new gravel driveway is not one deep layer of a single stone — it is three different products stacked and compacted separately:
| Layer | Stone | Depth | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | #3 or #4 large crushed stone | 4″ | Carries the load, bridges soft soil |
| Middle | Crusher run / road base | 3–4″ | Fines lock the base together |
| Surface | #57 or #8 stone | 2–3″ | Drivable wearing course |
Each layer is a separate delivery at a different price per ton, and each gets compacted before the next goes down. A calculator that asks for one depth and one stone type will under-order the job — for a 40 × 12 ft driveway the gap is close to 5 cubic yards. Select “New gravel driveway” in the calculator above and it prices all three layers separately.
Why compaction changes what you order
Gravel arrives loose and loses roughly 20% of its volume once it is rolled or plate-compacted. If you want 4 inches of finished, compacted surface, you have to order closer to 5 inches of loose stone. Miss this and you finish the job visibly short of the depth you planned. The calculator adds a 20% compaction allowance by default for driveway and base work, and drops it to zero for loose decorative stone where nothing gets compacted.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New driveway | 8–12" in 3 layers | Base stone + crusher run + surface |
| Driveway resurfacing | 2–3" | Surface stone only |
| Walkway / path | 2–3" | Over compacted soil or fabric |
| Patio / shed base | 4–6" | Compact in 2" layers |
| Drainage / French drain | varies | Surround pipe with 3"+ of #57 |
| Decorative ground cover | 2" | Over landscape fabric |
For driveways and bases, always build in compacted layers of about 2 inches at a time — a thick loose layer never firms up properly and ruts quickly under vehicle weight.
FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
About 2,800–3,400 lbs (1.4–1.7 tons) depending on type. Pea gravel ~1.4, crushed stone ~1.45, crusher run up to 1.7 tons/yd³.
How do I convert yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by density. 3 yards of 3/4" crushed stone ≈ 3 × 1.45 = 4.35 tons.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
New builds need 8–12" in three compacted layers; resurfacing takes 2–3" of new surface stone.
How much does a ton cover?
Roughly 100–110 sq ft at 2", 70 sq ft at 3", or 50 sq ft at 4" driveway depth.
Gravel vs crushed stone?
Gravel is rounded (stays loose, good for paths and drainage); crushed stone is angular (locks when compacted, good for driveways and bases).