Gravel is usually delivered in bulk and priced by the ton, so the tons figure is the one to compare with quotes. Loose gravel weighs 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and a short ton is 2,000 lb. Bags are labeled with a volume as well as a weight, and the all-purpose gravel bag used in the count holds 0.5 cu ft.
How to use this calculator
- Pick the shape. Rectangles cover driveways, paths, patio bases and drainage trenches. Use a circle for a round pad and a triangle for a corner cut at an angle.
- Enter the length and width in feet, or in inches for a narrow trench, then the depth of the layer. Each measurement changes the total in the same proportion.
- Leave the extra for waste at zero for an exact volume, or add a percentage when the base is uneven or the stone will sink into soft ground.
- Choose the unit your supplier prices by. Use the tons figure for a per-ton quote and the cubic yards figure for a per-yard quote.
- Use the bag count only for small jobs. A cubic yard takes 54 of these bags, and each one has to be carried by hand.
- Enter the price per ton to see the estimated material cost. Delivery and any short-load fee are not included, so add them before you compare quotes.
Worked examples
Single-lane gravel drive
40 ft × 12 ft, 4 in deep
- cubic yards
- 5.93
- cubic feet
- 160
- tons
- 8.3
- bags of 0.5 cu ft
- 320
Patio base
14 ft × 12 ft, 4 in deep
- cubic yards
- 2.07
- cubic feet
- 56
- tons
- 2.9
- bags of 0.5 cu ft
- 112
Drainage trench
30 ft × 18 in, 18 in deep
- cubic yards
- 2.5
- cubic feet
- 67.5
- tons
- 3.5
- bags of 0.5 cu ft
- 135
Round pad under a grill
8 ft diameter, 3 in deep
- cubic yards
- 0.465
- cubic feet
- 12.57
- tons
- 0.652
- bags of 0.5 cu ft
- 26
Cubic yards of gravel for common driveway, path and patio sizes
| Area | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 1.33 | 1.78 | 2.67 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.7 |
| 12 × 40 ft | 4.44 | 5.93 | 8.89 |
| 20 × 40 ft | 7.41 | 9.88 | 14.81 |
Cubic yards, exact volume without extra for waste.
Tons or cubic yards?
Suppliers quote gravel either by the ton or by the cubic yard. A cubic yard of loose gravel comes to about 2,800 lb, and that is the weight the calculator uses for its tons figure.
Compaction and stone size both change how much a cubic yard weighs, so a load can come in above or below the estimate. The cubic yard figure is the more dependable guide to how much ground the stone will cover.
Bags or bulk?
Bags suit a small repair, a patch beside a downspout or a single step. The count uses 0.5 cu ft per bag, so check the label on the bag you buy, since yields differ between brands.
A driveway, a long path or a patio base is a job for bulk delivery. Once the base is down, a concrete slab or a pea gravel surface can go on top. Ask about the minimum load and any short-load fee, and pick a spot where the truck can drop the stone close to the work.
How the calculation works
Convert each measurement to feet, then multiply length by width by depth to get cubic feet. Divide the cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. A circle uses π × radius² for its area, and a triangle is half of the rectangle with the same base and height.
The tons figure converts the volume with the weight of loose gravel, 103.7 lb per cubic foot. The bag count divides the cubic feet by the yield of one bag and rounds up. Any extra for waste is added before either count.
Mistakes to avoid
- Typing the depth in feet when you meant inches. Check the unit selector on the depth field before you read the result.
- Ordering the exact volume for a driveway. Stone settles and spreads unevenly, so a small margin is safer than running short halfway through the job.
- Skipping the base. Base depth and compaction for a driveway or patio are set by local codes and soil conditions, so check with your local building department before you dig.
Which type of gravel should I use?
Crushed stone has sharp edges that lock together, so it suits driveways and bases. Pea gravel is small and rounded, so it suits paths and play areas but shifts underfoot. River rock is larger and smooth, and it is mostly for decoration and drainage. Ask your supplier which stone they stock for your project.
Common questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Work out the cubic yards from the driveway's length, width and depth, then multiply by the weight of loose gravel, which is 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Add a small margin if the base is uneven. Ask your supplier how they weigh and bill a load before you order.
How do I convert square feet of gravel into cubic yards?
Square feet measure the area, not the volume, so you also need the depth. Convert the depth to feet, multiply it by the area, and divide the cubic feet by 27. The calculator does these steps once you enter the length, width and depth.
Can I calculate gravel for a triangle or a sloped area?
Yes. Choose Triangle, enter the base as the length and the height as the width, and the calculator uses half of the rectangle with those sides. For ground that slopes, measure the depth at a few points and enter the average.
How much does gravel cost for a driveway?
The calculator estimates the material only, and it shows a cost once you enter a price per ton. It does not know local prices. Delivery, spreading and hauling away the old base are separate costs.
How many cubic yards is a ton of gravel?
Divide the tons by 1.4 tons per cubic yard to get cubic yards. To go the other way, multiply cubic yards by the same weight. Loads vary, so ask your supplier how they weigh and bill before you order.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Turn your depth in inches into feet by dividing by 12 inches, then divide the cubic feet by that depth to get the square feet covered. The thinner the layer, the more ground it covers.
How deep should gravel be under a patio or walkway?
Under a patio or walkway, plan for a compacted gravel base at least 4 inches deep on well-drained soil, and thicker if the ground is soft or stays wet. Enter that depth in the calculator and add a little extra for waste, since loose stone packs down when you tamp it.