Gravel Calculator
Estimate how much gravel or crushed stone you need for a driveway, path, patio base or drainage area. Get the volume in cubic yards, the approximate weight in tons and the number of bags.
- In cubic feet
- 35 cu ft
- Approx. weight
- 1.81 tons
- Bags (0.5 cu ft (~50 lb))
- 70 bags
- Area covered
- 100 sq ft
How this calculator works
Volume is the area multiplied by the depth. Depth is entered in inches and divided by 12 to convert it to feet.
Cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards. Many suppliers sell gravel by the ton, so the volume is multiplied by the weight per cubic yard.
Most crushed stone and pea gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, but it varies with stone size and moisture. You can change the weight to match your supplier.
Example: a 10 × 10 ft patio base, 4 inches deep
- Area: 10 × 10 = 100 sq ft.
- Volume: 100 × (4 ÷ 12) = 33.3 cu ft.
- In cubic yards: 33.3 ÷ 27 = 1.23 cu yd.
- Weight: 1.23 × 1.4 = 1.73 tons.
Quick reference
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in |
| Patio or shed base | 4 in |
| Driveway top layer | 2–4 in |
| Driveway base (compacted) | 4–8 in |
Tips before you buy
- Compactable materials such as crushed stone with fines settle when compacted, so order around 5–10% extra.
- Ask the quarry for the weight of the exact product you are buying, as it can range from about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
- For driveways, a base of larger stone topped with finer gravel lasts longer than a single layer.
Common sizes
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Most gravel weighs between 1.3 and 1.5 tons per cubic yard (about 2,600 to 3,000 lb). The calculator uses 1.4 tons by default.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 19 cubic feet, which covers roughly 115 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 58 square feet at 4 inches deep.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply the driveway length and width, then the depth in feet. A 50 × 12 ft driveway with 4 inches of gravel needs about 7.4 cubic yards, or roughly 10.4 tons.
Is it cheaper to buy gravel in bags or in bulk?
Bags are convenient for small jobs. For anything over about half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually much cheaper per ton.
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Last updated October 25, 2026