How much gravel do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get volume, convert to cubic yards, then to tons. Quarries and landscape suppliers sell gravel by the ton, so the tons figure is what you order.
Tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 × density (tons per cubic yard)
A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches: 40 × 10 × 4 ÷ 324 = 4.94 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard for #57 stone that's 6.9 tons, and about 7.6 tons with 10% extra for compaction.
Gravel weight by type
| Stone | Tons per cubic yard | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| #57 crushed stone | 1.4 | Driveways, drainage, concrete base |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 | Paths, patios, play areas |
| River rock | 1.35 | Beds and dry creek beds |
| Crusher run | 1.5 | Compacted base under pavers and driveways |
| Decomposed granite | 1.3 | Paths and xeriscape |
Weights vary by quarry and moisture. Ask your supplier for their number and the calculator will match it if you adjust the extra percentage.
Pea gravel calculator
Pea gravel is usually laid 2–3 inches deep for paths and patios, and 9–12 inches deep under play equipment. Pick "Pea gravel" above to use its weight. Bags of pea gravel are typically 0.5 cu ft, so one ton is roughly 40 bags. Above about a ton, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
Driveway gravel depth
A new gravel driveway is usually built in layers: 4–6 inches of crusher run or large stone as a base, then 2–4 inches of #57 or similar on top. Add each layer as a separate calculation, or add both to the same job in contractor mode so the quote shows them as separate lines.
Gravel under a concrete slab
Most slabs sit on 4 inches of compacted crushed stone. Use the slab's length and width, 4 in depth and 15% extra, because compacted base settles more than loose stone.
Pricing a gravel job
Landscapers usually price gravel as material per ton plus markup, delivery at cost, and labor to spread, grade and compact. A crew with a skid steer moves far more than one with wheelbarrows, so set your own hours in contractor mode.
Questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on the stone. #57 crushed stone and pea gravel are about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton of #57 stone covers about 115 sq ft. At 4 inches, about 58 sq ft.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Plan on 4–6 inches of base plus 2–4 inches of top stone, for 8–12 inches in total on a new driveway.
Is it cheaper to buy gravel in bags or bulk?
Bulk is cheaper above about one ton, even with a delivery fee. Bags make sense for small paths and touch-ups.