# Gravel Calculator

To figure gravel, multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the stone's weight per yard (about 1.35–1.7 tons for crushed stone) to get tons. For a compacted base, order about a third more. A 50 × 12 ft driveway at 4 in compacted needs roughly 15 tons.

## Key takeaways

- Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × tons per yard.
- Crushed stone weighs about 1.35–1.7 tons per cubic yard; pea gravel 1.4–1.6; river rock 1.4–1.75.
- Compacted base shrinks: Penn State's driveway aggregate spec places 8 in loose to finish at 6 in.
- Quarries sell by the ton. Ask for the weight per yard of the exact product you're buying.

## How do you calculate how much gravel you need?

Find the volume in cubic yards, add extra if the stone will be compacted, then convert yards to tons with the material's weight per yard. Quarries usually sell by the ton and many landscape yards by the yard, so the calculator gives you both.

**Formula**

```
Tons = L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × (1 + compaction) × tons per yd³
```

Where:
- L, W = length and width in feet
- D = finished depth in inches
- compaction = 0 for loose decorative stone; about 0.33 for compacted base
- tons per yd³ = about 1.35–1.7 for crushed stone; ask your supplier

1. **Measure the area.** Length × width in feet. For a curved drive, break it into rectangles; for a round pad, use π × r².
2. **Set the finished depth.** Decorative stone is often 2 in or more; driveway and path base is commonly 4–6 in.
3. **Convert to cubic yards.** Multiply area by depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) and divide by 27.
4. **Allow for compaction.** If you'll compact it, order enough loose stone to finish at your depth. 8 in loose to 6 in compacted is a third more.
5. **Convert to tons.** Multiply yards by the weight per yard for that product. Round up to your supplier's load size.

> **Worked example: a gravel driveway**
>
> A 50 × 12 ft driveway with 4 in of compacted crushed stone: 600 × 0.333 = 200 cu ft, or **7.41 cubic yards** finished.
>
> Add 33% for compaction: 9.85 yards loose.
>
> At 1.35–1.7 tons per yard, that's 13.3–16.7 tons. Order **about 15 tons** and confirm the product weight with the quarry.

A decorative path is simpler, with no compaction: a 40 × 3 ft path of pea gravel 2 in deep is 20 cu ft, or 0.74 yards, about 1.1 tons.

## How much does a yard of gravel weigh?

A cubic yard of gravel or crushed stone typically weighs about 1.35 to 1.75 tons, depending on the rock type, gradation and moisture. Dense stone and well-graded base with fines run heavy; washed, single-size stone runs lighter.

**Approximate weight per cubic yard**

| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Crushed stone / gravel base | 1.35–1.7 | 2,700–3,400 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4–1.6 | 2,800–3,200 |
| River rock | 1.4–1.75 | 2,800–3,500 |

_Supplier-published ranges (Stone Center). Nebraska DOT's estimating guide uses 1.3–1.4 tons per cubic yard for seal-coat aggregates. Your quarry's figure for its product is the one to use._

## How much gravel for common jobs?

**Gravel by job**

| Job | Size and finished depth | Cubic yards to order | Tons |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shed pad, compacted base | 10 × 12 ft, 4 in | 1.97 | 2.7–3.3 |
| Walkway, pea gravel | 40 × 3 ft, 2 in | 0.74 | 1–1.2 |
| Patio base, compacted | 16 × 16 ft, 4 in | 4.2 | 5.7–7.1 |
| Single-car driveway, compacted | 50 × 12 ft, 4 in | 9.85 | 13.3–16.7 |
| Two-car driveway, 6 in compacted | 60 × 20 ft, 6 in | 29.56 | 39.9–50.2 |
| River rock bed | 30 × 4 ft, 3 in | 1.11 | 1.6–1.9 |

_Computed with the calculator above; compacted jobs include 33% extra loose stone._

## How deep should gravel be?

Decorative pea gravel and river rock are often laid at least 2 in deep, and paths and driveways on crushed limestone or paver base at 4–6 in. For gravel roads and long drives, Penn State's Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads specifies 6–8 in of driving surface aggregate placed loose, compacted to about 4½–6 in.

## Common gravel estimating mistakes

1. **Ordering finished volume for a compacted base.** Compaction can take a quarter of the loose depth. Order loose volume.
2. **Using one weight for every stone.** Weight per yard varies by quarry and product. Ask for the number on the product you're buying.
3. **Forgetting the base under the surface stone.** A driveway is often a base course plus a top course. Figure each layer.
4. **Not counting truck loads.** A tandem or tri-axle hauls a set tonnage. Round your order to full loads and price delivery per load.
5. **Skipping fabric and edging.** Geotextile under the stone and edging along paths are separate line items.

BRIX puts tons, trucking and spreading labor on one quote, built on site, and keeps following up until the customer books.

- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Sales automation](https://www.brix.so/features/sales-automation): Follows up every lead and open estimate automatically by text and email, and asks every customer for a review after the job.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

Usually about 1.35–1.75 tons. Crushed stone runs about 1.35–1.7 tons per yard, pea gravel 1.4–1.6 and river rock 1.4–1.75. Ask your supplier for its product's weight.

### How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27, then add about a third for compaction. A 50 × 12 ft drive at 4 in compacted is 9.9 yards loose, roughly 15 tons of crushed stone.

### How much area does a ton of gravel cover?

At about 1.5 tons per cubic yard, a ton is about 18 cu ft. Spread 2 in deep, that covers roughly 108 sq ft; at 4 in, about 54 sq ft. Check your product's weight per yard to refine it.

### How much extra gravel should I order for compaction?

For a compacted base, order loose volume. Penn State's driving surface aggregate spec places 8 in loose to finish at 6 in, about a third more material than the finished depth. Decorative stone that won't be compacted needs no allowance.

### Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?

Quarries usually sell by the ton, weighed on a scale. Many landscape yards sell by the cubic yard. Use the calculator for both, and ask which one your supplier's price is in.

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## Sources

- [Stone Center — Landscape Rock Calculator (weights per cubic yard and typical depths)](https://stonecenters.com/calculator) (checked 2026-10-12)
- [Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads — Driving Surface Aggregate Tech Bulletin (2025)](https://dirtandgravel.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Tech-Bulletin_Driving_Surface_Aggregate_2025.pdf) (checked 2026-10-12)
- [Nebraska DOT — Estimating Quantities in English & Metric (2024)](https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/4ffnhg4d/estimating-material-quantities.pdf) (checked 2026-10-12)

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-12.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/tools/gravel-calculator