Home › Landscaping
Gravel Calculator
Gravel is measured by volume in the pit but sold by weight at most yards, so this calculator gives you both: cubic yards from your area and depth, and tons using the material's density. The default density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard fits typical crushed stone and driveway gravel.
Results update as you type. Estimates only — confirm final quantities before ordering.
The formula
Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per yd³)
Density is what turns volume into the weight the supplier charges for. Typical loose densities: crushed stone 1.4–1.5 tons/yd³, pea gravel about 1.3–1.4, river rock about 1.45, and sand about 1.35. If your supplier quotes a specific figure for their material, enter it — local stone varies.
Worked example
Example: a 20 ft × 10 ft driveway (200 ft²) topped 4 inches deep with crushed stone at 1.4 tons/yd³.
- Volume: 200 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.7 ft³ = 2.47 yd³
- Weight: 2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons
Reference chart
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 ft² | 116 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | 77 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² | 58 ft² |
| 6 in | 54 ft² | 39 ft² |
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need both yards and tons?
Your layout math is in volume (area × depth), but most quarries and landscape yards price and deliver by the ton. The density of the specific material is the bridge between the two — get it from your supplier if they publish one.
How deep should gravel be on a driveway?
A full driveway section is usually 4–6 inches of stone total, placed and compacted in layers over a stable base. A cosmetic top-up of an existing drive is typically 2–3 inches. This calculator sizes each layer or the total equally well.
How much extra gravel should I order?
Add about 10% for compaction and settling: loose gravel consolidates under traffic and weather, so the finished surface sits lower than the day it was spread. Ordering slightly over also protects against a short second delivery fee.
What does one cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Typically 2,600–3,000 lb (1.3–1.5 tons) depending on rock type and moisture. Crushed stone at the common 1.4 tons/yd³ figure is about 2,800 lb per yard.
Related calculators
- Mulch Calculator — Mulch in cubic yards and standard 2 cu ft bags.
- Concrete Calculator — Cubic yards and bag counts for slabs, patios and pads.
- Slope Calculator — Slope as a percent, an angle in degrees, and a ratio.
Sources & method: Aggregate densities from published quarry / state DOT tables (crushed stone ≈1.4 tons/yd³, typical range 1.3–1.5); cross-checked against Inch Calculator — Gravel Calculator.