Enter the size of your area and how deep you want the gravel. You’ll get cubic yards, tons, bags and an estimated cost in one go.
Extra for settling and cost
Weights are typical for dry, loose material. Your supplier's figure may differ slightly.
How to use the gravel calculator
- Pick the shape of your area, or choose “I know the area” if you already have the square footage.
- Enter the length and width (or the diameter) in feet, and the depth in inches.
- Choose the gravel type. Each type weighs a little differently, which changes the tons.
- Open “Extra for settling and cost” to change the buffer or add your supplier’s price.
Building a driveway? The gravel driveway calculator works out each layer separately.
Gravel formula
Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). Work out the volume first, then convert it to weight.
- Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard
Example: a 20 ft × 10 ft patio, 3 inches deep, in #57 crushed stone.
- 20 × 10 = 200 square feet
- 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet
- 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
- 1.85 × 1.35 = 2.5 tons
With 10 percent extra for settling, that’s about 2.04 cubic yards or 2.75 tons, which is what the calculator shows for these numbers.
How much area does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. The thinner you spread it, the more ground it covers.
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | Topping up an existing path or bed |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | Garden paths, landscape beds, light-use patios |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | Patios and walkways with heavier use |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | Parking pads, driveway top layers |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | Drainage trenches and deep fills |
How deep should gravel be?
Most decorative beds and garden paths need 2 to 3 inches. A thinner layer lets soil and fabric show through, and a thicker one feels loose underfoot. Patios usually need 3 to 4 inches. Driveways are a different job: they’re built in layers 8 to 12 inches deep in total, so use the driveway calculator for those.
Types of gravel and how much they weigh
| Type | Typical size | Weight per cubic yard | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (#57) | ¾–1 in | about 1.35 tons | Driveways, drainage, base layers |
| Pea gravel | ¼–⅜ in | about 1.40 tons | Paths, patios, dog runs |
| River rock | 1–3 in | about 1.35 tons | Landscape beds, dry creek beds |
| Crusher run / road base | ¾ in with fines | about 1.55 tons | Compacted base under pavers and driveways |
| Decomposed granite | ¼ in and finer | about 1.30 tons | Paths and dry gardens |
| Lava rock | ½–2 in | about 0.60 tons | Decorative beds, fire pit areas |
Wet gravel is heavier, so a load weighed after rain can come out higher than these figures. If your supplier quotes a weight, choose “Custom weight” and enter it.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged gravel usually comes in 0.5 cubic foot bags, and it takes 54 of them to make one cubic yard. Bags make sense for small jobs and top-ups. For anything over about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and far less carrying, although many suppliers charge a delivery fee or have a minimum order.
Tips before you order
- Ask whether your supplier prices by the ton or by the cubic yard, and set the calculator to match so the cost lines up with their quote.
- Lay landscape fabric under decorative gravel to slow weeds and stop stones sinking into the soil.
- Fit edging along paths and beds, or the gravel will spread into the lawn.
- Round up. A small surplus is cheaper than a second delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply the length and width in feet, multiply by the depth in inches, divide by 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. The calculator does this for you and adds a buffer for settling.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most gravel weighs between 1.3 and 1.5 tons per cubic yard. #57 crushed stone is about 1.35 tons, while light materials like lava rock are closer to 0.6 tons.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
A ton of #57 crushed stone is about 20 cubic feet. That covers roughly 80 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 120 square feet at 2 inches.
How many bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet each, or 27 bags if your store sells 1 cubic foot bags.
Should I order extra gravel?
Yes. Gravel settles once it’s spread and walked or driven on. Adding 5 to 10 percent avoids paying for a second delivery.
Results are estimates for planning. Weights are typical for dry, loose material. See How We Calculate for the formulas and values we use.