Gravel calculator
Work out how much gravel or crushed stone to order, in cubic yards and in tons, since many quarries sell by weight.
Estimates round up. Check product labels and supplier figures before ordering.
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Garden paths | 2–3 in |
| Patio or paver base | 4 in |
| Driveway (new) | 4–6 in, in layers |
| Driveway (refresh) | 1–2 in |
How it's calculated
The calculator finds the volume of your area, converts it to cubic yards, and estimates weight at about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a common figure for pea gravel and crushed stone.
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4
Density varies with stone size and moisture, roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Ask your supplier for their figure if you are ordering by the ton.
What you'll need
- Landscape fabric
- Steel landscape edging
- Hand tamper
- Gravel rake
Common questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons. This calculator uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A new gravel driveway usually needs 4–6 inches, laid as a coarse base and a finer top layer. A 12 × 50 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 7.4 cubic yards.
Should I use landscape fabric under gravel?
For paths and patios it helps keep weeds down and stops stone sinking into soil. Many driveway builders skip it in favour of a thick compacted base.
How many bags of gravel make a yard?
Most bagged gravel is 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is about 54 bags.