Gravel Calculator

Calculate gravel, crushed stone, or pea gravel needed for driveways, patios, and landscaping. Get cubic yards, tons, and cost estimates.

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How to Calculate Gravel

Measure length and width in feet, choose your depth, then use: Cubic Yards = Area (sq ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 324. This calculator converts to cubic yards and estimates weight based on material density.

Example: 20×30 Driveway

Area: 600 sq ft at 4 inches deep
Volume: 600 × 4 ÷ 324 = 7.4 cubic yards
Weight: 7.4 × 2,700 lbs = ~10 tons
Cost at $40/yard: approximately $296 for materials

Recommended Depths

2-3 inches: Decorative ground cover, garden paths
3-4 inches: Patios, walkways, landscape beds
4-6 inches: Driveways, parking areas (use 6" for heavy vehicles)
6-8 inches: Road base, heavy traffic areas, drainage beds

Choosing the Right Gravel

Pea gravel: Smooth, rounded, 3/8" diameter. Good for walkways, drainage, playgrounds. Doesn't compact — shifts underfoot. $30-50/yard
Crushed stone (#57): Angular, 3/4" to 1". Interlocks and compacts well — best for driveways and base layers. $30-45/yard
Crusher run (#411): Mix of crushed stone and stone dust. Compacts into a firm surface. Best sub-base for driveways and patios. $25-40/yard
River rock: Rounded, 1-3" decorative stones. Permanent landscaping, dry creek beds, drainage. $40-80/yard
Decomposed granite: Fine, sandy texture. Natural look for paths and patios. Compacts moderately. $35-55/yard

Gravel Driveway Layers

A properly built gravel driveway has three layers:

Base layer (4"): Large crushed stone (#3 or #4) for drainage and stability
Middle layer (4"): Medium crushed stone (#57) fills gaps in the base
Top layer (2-3"): Finer stone (#8 or crusher run) creates a smooth driving surface

Compact each layer with a plate compactor or roller before adding the next.

Ordering Tips

Order 10-15% extra for waste, uneven terrain, and settling over time
Bulk delivery ($30-50/yard) is much cheaper than bags for projects over 1-2 yards
Delivery trucks need access — check clearance and weight limits for your driveway
Install landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds. Overlap seams by 6 inches
Edge with metal, plastic, or stone borders to keep gravel contained

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much gravel do I need for 100 square feet?

At 3 inches deep, 100 sq ft needs about 0.93 cubic yards of gravel. The formula is area in square feet times depth in inches divided by 324. The 324 comes from 12 inches per foot times 27 cubic feet per cubic yard, so it converts square feet times inches straight into cubic yards.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,700 lbs, or 1.35 tons. The exact weight varies with stone type and moisture content, since wet gravel is heavier. Suppliers often sell by the ton, so multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to estimate tons. A 0.93 cubic yard order is roughly 1.26 tons.

How much area does a ton of gravel cover?

One ton of gravel covers roughly 80 sq ft at 3 inches deep or about 50 sq ft at 5 inches deep. Coverage drops as depth rises, because the same volume is spread thinner or thicker. Install edging around the area and landscape fabric underneath to keep gravel from migrating into the lawn and soil.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

A gravel driveway needs 4 to 6 inches of gravel: 4 inches for light use and 6 inches for heavy traffic. Use angular crushed stone for the base layer, because its sharp edges interlock and compact better than rounded gravel. Crushed stone and pea gravel are usually the cheapest options at $30 to $50 per cubic yard.