Gravel calculator
How much gravel, crushed stone or rock you need for a driveway, path or patio base, in tons and cubic yards.
- Cubic feet
- 0.5 cu ft bags
- Area covered
How to use it
Enter the length and width of the area in feet and the depth in inches, then pick the type of stone. The calculator gives the amount in tons and cubic yards, since suppliers sell gravel by one or the other, and in 0.5 cubic foot bags for small jobs.
If your supplier lists a weight per cubic yard for the exact stone you're buying, choose Enter my supplier's figure and use it. That's always more accurate than a typical value.
How it's calculated
- Length × width × (depth ÷ 12) = cubic feet.
- Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
- Cubic yards × tons per cubic yard = tons.
Typical weights
Gravel's weight depends on the type of stone, the size of the pieces, and how wet it is:
| Material | Typical weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| River rock | about 1.35 tons |
| Pea gravel | about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) |
| Crushed stone | about 1.5 tons |
| Crusher run, road base | about 1.5 to 1.7 tons |
Rounded stone like river rock and pea gravel packs less tightly than crushed stone, so a cubic yard weighs less. Wet stone weighs more.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path | 2 to 3 in |
| Patio or shed base | 4 in |
| Driveway | 4 to 6 in, often in layers of coarse base and finer top stone |
Tips
- Order a little extra. Gravel compacts, and some sinks into soft ground. Many people add about 10%.
- Use landscape fabric under paths to stop gravel sinking into the soil and weeds coming through.
- Ask about delivery minimums. Many suppliers have a minimum load, so a small job may cost the same as a bigger one.