Gravel calculator — cubic yards and tons
Enter the area dimensions and depth of your gravel project to find out how many cubic yards to order. The calculator also estimates weight in tons.
Cubic yards
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Cubic feet
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Cubic meters
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Tons (approx.)
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Formula
Volume (cu ft) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft)
where depth (ft) = depth (in) / 12
Volume (cu yd) = volume (cu ft) / 27
Weight (lb) = volume (cu ft) × density (lb/cu ft)
Tons = weight (lb) / 2,000
Common depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway | 2–3 in |
| Driveway | 4–6 in |
| Drainage layer | 3–4 in |
| Decorative landscape | 2–3 in |
Typical densities
Suppliers sell gravel by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards). If you need to convert, density varies by material:
| Material | Density (lb/ft³) | Approx tons per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 100 | 1.35 |
| Crushed limestone | 100–110 | 1.35–1.49 |
| River rock | 105–115 | 1.42–1.55 |
| Granite chips | 115–120 | 1.55–1.62 |
| Crushed concrete | 75–90 | 1.01–1.22 |
The calculator uses 100 lb/ft³ by default — a good average for most landscape gravel.
Worked example — a 10 × 20 ft driveway, 4 inches deep
- Volume (cu ft): 10 × 20 × (4/12) = 66.7 ft³
- Volume (cu yd): 66.7 / 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Weight: 66.7 × 100 = 6,670 lb = 3.34 tons
- Order 10% extra for settling and edges: round up to 2.7 yd³ or 3.7 tons.
Notes
- Order 5–10% extra to account for settling, spillage, and uneven ground. Driveways with a crown need a bit more in the center.
- Sold by weight or volume — quarries price by the ton; landscape suppliers often by the cubic yard. Both columns above let you compare offers.
- Compacting — crushed stone loses 15–25% of its loose volume once compacted. For load-bearing layers (under a patio or driveway base), order enough to arrive at your target compacted depth, not loose.
- Fabric underlayment — a landscape fabric under gravel keeps the stones from migrating into soil and doubles the life of the installation.
Frequently asked
How much gravel do I need?
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) / 324. For example, a 10×10 ft area at 3 inches deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards.
How heavy is a cubic yard of gravel?
Gravel weight varies by type. The calculator uses 100 lb per cubic foot (2,700 lb per cubic yard, or about 1.35 US tons) — typical for pea gravel and crushed limestone. River rock and granite are heavier.
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
Roughly 1.35 US short tons per cubic yard at typical density. Suppliers usually sell by the ton or cubic yard, so check their listed density.
Do I need to add extra for waste?
For most projects, order 5–10% extra to account for settling, spillage, and uneven ground.
How do I share my calculation?
Click "Share with my numbers" to copy a URL that saves your dimensions.