Estimate gravel by area and depth in cubic yards, tons and bags for driveways, paths and drainage.
Quick answer: Gravel is sold by the ton or the cubic yard, and a cubic yard of typical gravel weighs about 1.4 tons. A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 3 in deep is 200 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 50 cubic feet, or 1.9 cubic yards, which is roughly 2.6 tons. Add 10 percent for compaction and spreading loss.
ft
ft
in
Typical depth for gravel / crushed stone: 4 in.
%
$
Delivered bulk prices vary widely by region and haul distance — call two suppliers.
Volume needed
2.59 cu yd
70.0 cu ft · 1.98 m³
Weight
3.63 tons
7,260 lb — check your vehicle or delivery limits
How to buy it
Bulk (delivered)2.59 cu yd — $117
Bags (50 lb bags)140 bags
Area covered200 sq ft at 4.0 in deep
A cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, so a quick check is: sq ft ÷ 324 × depth in inches = cubic yards. Ask the yard whether they sell by volume or by weight — wet material weighs more but covers the same.
Crushed stone is typically around 1.4 short tons per cubic yard. Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper than bags once you pass about one cubic yard.
Core facts
Weight per cubic yard
about 1.4 tons, typical
1 ton covers
roughly 100–115 sq ft at 2 in
Driveway depth
4 in as a base, 6–12 in for new build
Coverage per cubic yard
about 162 sq ft at 2 in
What is Gravel Calculator?
Gravel, crushed stone and road base are all sold the same way, by weight or by volume, with the two linked by density. A cubic yard of typical gravel weighs around 1.4 tons, though that shifts with stone size, moisture and how much fine material is mixed in. You estimate the volume from the area you are covering and the depth you want, then convert. Depth is where most projects go wrong. A driveway base needs 4 to 6 inches of compacted stone laid in lifts, while a decorative path may need only 2. Loose stone settles, so order a little more than the raw calculation.
Common uses for Gravel Calculator
Order road base for a new gravel driveway
Estimate decorative stone for a garden path or border
Size drainage gravel for a French drain trench
Convert a square-foot area into tons for a delivery order
Work out how much stone a raised bed or dry creek needs
Density is the number that converts volume to tons
Every gravel order comes down to one conversion: cubic yards to tons. Typical crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand about 1.35 and topsoil nearer 1.1, but the same material from two quarries can differ by 10 percent. If the supplier quotes by ton and you calculated by yard, confirm the density they use rather than assuming yours.
Why depth is always underestimated
Spread gravel 2 inches thick and it looks generous until you walk on it, at which point it disappears into the soil. Driveways, trench backfill and anything under vehicles need far more depth than a path. Build the depth up in lifts and compact each one. If you cannot compact, allow a 15 to 20 percent settlement allowance instead of compacting effort.
Ordering, delivery and placement
Gravel usually arrives by dump truck and is priced either per ton delivered or per load. Ask what a full load holds and whether there is a minimum order. Place it as close as possible to where it is needed, because moving stone twice by wheelbarrow is the slowest part of the job. Spreading with a rake and then compacting gives a surface that survives winter freeze and thaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for typical crushed stone or pea gravel, though heavier blends reach 1.5 and lighter decorative aggregates can fall under 1.3. Moisture adds weight too, especially after rain. If you are ordering by weight and calculating by volume, tell the supplier your stone type and let them confirm the conversion.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A new driveway usually gets 6 to 12 inches of crushed base built up in compacted lifts, with a finer top layer. Resurfacing an existing drive needs 2 to 4 inches. Depth matters more than stone type: too thin and the gravel migrates into the soil under wheel loads within a season.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
Roughly 100 to 115 sq ft spread 2 inches deep, or about 60 sq ft at 3 inches. That assumes a typical 1.4 ton per cubic yard density, so a lighter decorative stone covers a little more and a heavy crushed base a little less. Spread depth is the figure that moves the result most.
Does gravel need to be compacted?
A driveway base should be compacted in lifts of 4 inches or less with a plate compactor or roller. Decorative stone on a path usually is not compacted, because you want it loose underfoot. Compaction reduces volume by roughly 10 to 20 percent, which is why the calculator suggests ordering extra rather than the exact calculated amount.
What is the difference between gravel and crushed stone?
Gravel is naturally occurring rounded rock, often screened from a pit, and it shifts underfoot. Crushed stone has angular, freshly broken faces that interlock and stay put, which is why it is the standard base material for driveways. Pea gravel sits between the two, small and smooth and useful for paths and drainage.