Free Gravel Calculator
Use this gravel calculator to see how many tons and cubic yards of gravel to order for a driveway, path or patio.
Gravel is sold by the ton or by the cubic yard. This calculator gives both: it works out the volume from your area and depth, then converts it to weight using a typical density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
If your supplier prices by the ton, order by the ton figure. If they price by the yard, use the cubic yard figure.
Driveway gravel calculator example
A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 in deep: 400 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 = 133.3 cu ft, plus 10% extra = 146.7 cu ft. Divide by 27 to get 5.43 cubic yards, which weighs about 7.6 tons, or 294 × 0.5 cu ft bags.
How deep should gravel be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 2 in | |
| Garden path or walkway | 2 to 3 in | Use edging so the gravel stays put. |
| Patio or shed base | 4 in | Compacted in layers. |
| Driveway | 4 to 6 in | Usually a larger base stone with a finer top layer. |
Coverage per cubic yard and per bag
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per 0.5 cu ft bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 6 |
| 2 in | 162 | 3 |
| 3 in | 108 | 2 |
| 4 in | 81 | 1.5 |
| 6 in | 54 | 1 |
Buying tips
- One cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,800 lb (1.4 tons). A half-ton pickup can usually carry only about half a yard safely, so heavy loads are often cheaper to have delivered.
- For a compacted base (driveway, patio, shed pad), raise the extra amount to 15 to 20%. Compaction reduces volume.
- Lay landscape fabric under decorative gravel to slow weeds and stop the stone sinking into soil.
- Bagged gravel (0.5 cu ft, about 50 lb) is handy for small jobs. One cubic yard is 54 of those bags.
How much does gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel typically weighs 2,600 to 3,000 lb (1.3 to 1.5 tons). The calculator uses 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) per cubic yard. Moisture and grading change the weight, so if your supplier sells by the ton, ask for their figure.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 for tons. The calculator does this for you.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Typically 2,600 to 3,000 lb, or about 1.4 tons. Wet or finely graded gravel weighs more.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 115 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or about 58 sq ft at 4 inches (at 1.4 tons per cubic yard).
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Measure the length and width, choose 4 to 6 inches, and enter them in the gravel calculator above. A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 5.4 cubic yards, roughly 7.6 tons, including 10% extra.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Most gravel driveways use 4 to 6 inches of compacted stone, often a coarse base layer topped with finer gravel.
How accurate is this gravel calculator?
The gravel calculator gives the exact volume for the measurements you enter, then adds 10% extra (you can change it). Weights use a typical 1.4 tons per cubic yard; real loads vary with moisture, so confirm with your supplier if you buy by the ton. Measure carefully: an error of one inch in depth changes a 3 inch layer by a third.
How the gravel calculator works
Volume = area × depth. Each area is worked out from its shape (length × width, π × radius², or ½ × base × height), converted to square feet, multiplied by the depth in feet, and added up. Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.The extra percentage is then added, and bag counts are rounded up to whole bags. See how we calculate for every figure we use.