Gravel Calculator
To figure how much gravel you need, multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4–1.5 to get tons of loose gravel. For example, a 20 × 10 ft area 3 inches deep needs 1.85 cubic yards, or about 2.64–2.73 tons.
How to calculate how much gravel you need
- Measure the area. Measure the length and width in feet, or use the area in square feet if you know it.
- Convert the depth to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12. For example, 3 inches is 0.25 feet.
- Find the cubic yards. Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27.
- Convert to tons. Multiply cubic yards by 1.43–1.48 for loose gravel, Washington State DOT's weight for crushed gravel measured in the truck.
- Allow for compaction and round up. If the gravel will be compacted, order 25–30% more loose gravel. Then round up to what your supplier sells.
Worked example: a 30 × 12 ft area 4 inches deep: 30 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12) = 120 cubic feet, and 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 cubic yards. At 1.43–1.48 tons per cubic yard, that's 6.33–6.56 tons of loose gravel.
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
Loose gravel weighs about 1.43–1.48 tons per cubic yard (2,850–2,950 lb), based on Washington State DOT's figures for crushed gravel measured in the truck. One ton of loose gravel therefore fills about 0.68–0.70 cubic yards. Compacted in place, the same gravel weighs about 1.85 tons per cubic yard.
| Cubic yards | Loose gravel | Compacted gravel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.43–1.48 tons | 1.85 tons |
| 2 | 2.85–2.95 tons | 3.70 tons |
| 3 | 4.28–4.43 tons | 5.55 tons |
| 5 | 7.13–7.38 tons | 9.25 tons |
| 10 | 14.25–14.75 tons | 18.50 tons |
How much area does a ton or yard of gravel cover?
Coverage depends on depth: one cubic yard covers 324 sq ft divided by the depth in inches. A ton of loose gravel is 0.68–0.70 cubic yards, so it covers a little over two-thirds as much.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard | 1 ton |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 110–114 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 73–76 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 55–57 sq ft |
Gravel quick reference: 1 to 10 tons
| Tons | Cubic yards | Covers at 2 in | Covers at 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.68–0.70 | 110–114 sq ft | 73–76 sq ft |
| 2 | 1.36–1.40 | 220–227 sq ft | 146–152 sq ft |
| 3 | 2.03–2.11 | 329–341 sq ft | 220–227 sq ft |
| 4 | 2.71–2.81 | 439–455 sq ft | 293–303 sq ft |
| 5 | 3.39–3.51 | 549–568 sq ft | 366–379 sq ft |
| 10 | 6.78–7.02 | 1,098–1,137 sq ft | 732–758 sq ft |
| Cubic yards | Tons | Covers at 2 in | Covers at 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.43–1.48 | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 2 | 2.85–2.95 | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft |
| 5 | 7.13–7.38 | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
Loose vs compacted gravel
Gravel settles and packs down when it's compacted, so a compacted base holds more gravel than its volume suggests. Washington State DOT's estimating tables list crushed surfacing at:
| Material | Loose, in the truck | Compacted on the road |
|---|---|---|
| Top course | 2,850 lb/yd³ (1.43 tons) | 3,700 lb/yd³ (1.85 tons) |
| Base course | 2,950 lb/yd³ (1.48 tons) | 3,700 lb/yd³ (1.85 tons) |
To fill a compacted volume you need 1.85 ÷ 1.48 to 1.85 ÷ 1.43 times as much loose gravel: about 25–30% more. Choose Compacted in the calculator and it does this for you. These are dry weights; wet gravel weighs more.
Choosing a gravel type
Pea gravel, clean crushed stone and river rock each weigh a little differently per cubic yard than the crushed gravel these figures describe. If your supplier gives you a weight for your stone, choose Custom density in the calculator and enter it.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4–1.5 for tons of loose gravel. A 10 × 10 ft area 3 inches deep needs 0.93 cubic yards, about 1.32–1.37 tons; add 25–30% if it will be compacted.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.68–0.70 cubic yards of loose gravel, so a ton is not the same as a yard. Washington State DOT lists crushed gravel at 1.43–1.48 tons per cubic yard measured in the truck, so one ton fills a little over two-thirds of a cubic yard.
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
About 1.43–1.48 tons (2,850–2,950 lb) of loose gravel. The same gravel compacted in place weighs about 1.85 tons per cubic yard (Washington State DOT), which is why compacted projects need more material than their volume suggests.
How do you calculate yards of gravel?
Measure length and width in feet, divide the depth in inches by 12, multiply the three, and divide by 27. For example, 30 ft × 12 ft × 4 in is 120 cubic feet, or 4.44 cubic yards.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 73–76 sq ft at 3 inches deep, 110–114 sq ft at 2 inches, or 55–57 sq ft at 4 inches, for loose gravel at 1.43–1.48 tons per cubic yard.
How much area does a yard of gravel cover?
Divide 324 by the depth in inches: one cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Two cubic yards cover twice that: 216 sq ft at 3 inches, or 324 sq ft at 2 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cost?
Multiply the cubic yards you need by your supplier's price per cubic yard, or the tons by the price per ton. Prices depend on the stone, your region and the delivery distance, so ask local suppliers for a quote and enter it in the calculator's price field to get a total.
How much does gravel cost per square foot?
Multiply the price per cubic yard by the depth in inches and divide by 324. For example, if your supplier charges $50 per cubic yard, gravel 3 inches deep costs about $0.46 per square foot.
How much area do 5 or 10 tons of gravel cover?
Five tons of loose gravel is about 3.39–3.51 cubic yards, covering 366–379 sq ft at 3 inches deep. Ten tons is about 6.78–7.02 cubic yards, covering 732–758 sq ft.
Related calculators
Sources and methodology
Weights come from Washington State DOT's dry unit weights for crushed surfacing: 1.43–1.48 tons per cubic yard measured loose in the truck, and 1.85 tons per cubic yard compacted on the road. Wet gravel weighs more. For compacted gravel, the calculator works out the weight needed to fill the compacted volume, then converts it to the loose cubic yards you order. Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb); metric tonnes are tons × 0.907. Order amounts are rounded up to the next half cubic yard or half ton.