How much gravel do I need?

Multiply length × width × depth (in feet), divide by 27 for cubic yards, then add a little waste. Multiply yards by tons-per-yard for your material if the supplier sells by the ton.

How do I convert gravel yards to tons?

Multiply cubic yards by the material density (about 1.35–1.45 tons per yard for crushed stone). Use the tons toggle on this page — it is the same calculator as the yards view.

How deep should a gravel driveway be?

About 4" compacted for a new light-vehicle base, 2" for a resurface over a good base, and 6" or more for heavier trucks or soft ground.

Is pea gravel the same density as crushed stone?

Close, but slightly lighter in our table (about 1.30–1.40 vs 1.35–1.45 ton/cy). Pick pea gravel in the material list for the matching band.

Do I order by the yard or the ton?

Landscapers often quote yards; quarries and trucking often sell tons. This page shows both so you can match the quote unit.

Is this a price quote?

No — quantity only. Delivery minimums, fuel surcharges, and regional stone prices vary. Driveway cost tools come later in the gravel queue.

Quantity · Gravel & aggregate

Gravel Calculator

Size a rectangular gravel, stone, sand, or topsoil order from length, width, and compacted depth. Switch the primary result between cubic yards and tons — same page covers both searches. Density follows US construction ranges; confirm with your quarry.

Area and depth

LengthftWidthft

Depth guidance

Typical new light-vehicle driveway base.

Compacted depthinSuppliers quote compacted depth — not loose dump height.

Material

Driveways, bases, and general fill — densest common option. Density 1.35–1.45 tons/cy.

Primary resultWaste%5% covers compaction and edge spill; use 10% on soft ground or irregular shapes.

Cubic yards to order

7.78cu yd

10.5–11.3 tons (Crushed stone / gravel)

Area: 600 sq ft
Depth: 4"
Raw volume: 7.41 cy
With waste: 7.78 cy
Tons (band): 10.5–11.3
Density: 1.4 ton/cy

Toggle primary result between yards and tons — same math either way. Quarries often sell by the ton; landscapers quote yards. Confirm moisture and compaction with your supplier.

Volume cu ft = area × (depth ÷ 12)
Cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27; then add waste %
Tons = yards × material density (tons per cy)

Price data updated 2026-07-27. National US ranges from published supplier and contractor averages. Not a bid. Local quotes vary.

How gravel volume is calculated

Volume in cubic feet is area times depth in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, add waste, then multiply by tons-per-yard for the material. Driveway depth presets set a sensible starting thickness.

area_sq_ft     = length_ft × width_ft
volume_cu_ft   = area_sq_ft × (depth_in / 12)
cubic_yards    = volume_cu_ft / 27
yards_order    = cubic_yards × (1 + waste %)
tons           = yards_order × tons_per_cubic_yard

Worked example. A 50 × 12 ft driveway at 4" of crushed stone: area 600 sq ft → 200 cu ft → 7.41 cy raw. With 5% waste → 7.78 cy. At 1.40 ton/cy typical → about 10.9 tons (band ~10.5–11.3 tons).

Tons per cubic yard by material

This density table is the unique reference for the gravel calculator cluster — yards alone are not enough when suppliers sell by the ton. Ranges are typical US bulk densities; wet sand and packed stone run heavier.

Material	Tons / cy (low)	Tons / cy (high)	Typical used here
Crushed stone / gravel	1.35	1.45	1.40
Pea gravel	1.30	1.40	1.35
Sand	1.30	1.40	1.35
Topsoil	1.00	1.30	1.15
River rock	1.30	1.40	1.35

Toggle the result to tons or yards without changing the formula.
A dedicated pea-gravel page has its own coverage chart and bag counts — use it for paths and patios.

Driveway depth guidance

Presets in the calculator. Compacted depth is what you want after rolling — order a little extra for compaction.

Use	Depth	Notes
Resurface / top-up	2"	Over an existing solid base
New light-vehicle base	4"	Most residential driveways
Heavy vehicles / soft soil	6"+	Trucks heavier than a pickup

Geotextile fabric and edging are separate from volume.
For hot-mix asphalt instead of loose gravel, use the asphalt paving calculator.