Gravel Calculator
How much gravel to order, in cubic yards, tons and bags, for any shape and depth. Pick the stone, because pea gravel, #57, crusher run and river rock weigh differently.
Cubic yards = length × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. Tons = cubic yards × about 1.4 for most gravel (1.5 for crusher run). One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 in deep, 81 sq ft at 4 in. A 10 × 20 ft area at 3 in needs 1.9 cu yd, about 2.6 tons.
How far a cubic yard of gravel goes
| Depth | Coverage per cu yd | Weight per cu yd | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 1.4 tons | Pea gravel on paths over fabric |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 1.4 tons | Paths, patios, play areas, decorative beds |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 1.4 tons | Light-use parking pads, drainage trenches |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 1.4 tons | Driveway base on firm soil |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 1.4 tons | Full three-layer driveway |
Gravel weight by type
| Stone | Tons per cu yd | Pounds per cu yd | Per ½ cu ft bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 stone (1–2 in) | 1.4 tons | 2,800 lb | 52 lb |
| #57 crushed stone (¾–1 in) | 1.4 tons | 2,800 lb | 52 lb |
| Pea gravel (⅜ in) | 1.4 tons | 2,800 lb | 52 lb |
| Crusher run / #411 (with fines) | 1.5 tons | 3,000 lb | 56 lb |
| River rock (1–3 in) | 1.35 tons | 2,700 lb | 50 lb |
| Sand | 1.35 tons | 2,700 lb | 50 lb |
Gravel for common sizes (3 in deep, #57 stone)
| Area | Cubic yards | Tons | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 1.0 cu yd | 1.3 tons | 50 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.9 cu yd | 2.6 tons | 100 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 3.8 cu yd | 5.2 tons | 200 |
| 10 × 50 ft | 4.7 cu yd | 6.5 tons | 250 |
| 12 × 100 ft | 11.2 cu yd | 15.6 tons | 600 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet, multiply by the depth in inches, and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the stone's density (about 1.4 tons per yard) to get tons. Add 5–10% if the ground is uneven.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) for most crushed stone and pea gravel, about 1.5 tons for crusher run with fines, and 1.35 tons for river rock. Suppliers sell by the ton or the yard, so ask which.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 3 in deep, a ton of crushed stone (≈ 0.71 cu yd) covers about 77 sq ft; at 2 in it covers about 116 sq ft.
How many bags of gravel equal a yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cu ft make one cubic yard. Bags are convenient under about 1 cu yd; beyond that, bulk delivery is usually far cheaper per ton.
How deep should gravel be?
2–3 in for walkways and decorative beds, 3–4 in for patios and play areas, and 4–6 in or more in layers for driveways. Use landscape fabric underneath to keep gravel from sinking into soil.
Run a garden club, nursery or landscaping site? Embed this calculator free with one line of code.
Related free tools
Paver Calculator
Pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, polymeric sand and edging.
Open tool →Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea gravel for paths, patios and play areas in yards, tons and bags.
Open tool →Driveway Gravel Calculator
Tons of stone for each driveway layer: base, middle and top.
Open tool →Paver Base Calculator
Tons of base gravel and bedding sand under a patio or driveway.
Open tool →Sources and assumptions
Densities are typical supplier figures for dry material (1.35–1.5 tons per cubic yard); wet, washed or very coarse stone can differ, so check your yard's number. Crusher run adds 15% for compaction. Bags are 0.5 cu ft. Prices are placeholders to edit.