How the calculator works
Enter the length and width of the area (or its diameter, or the area itself) and the depth of gravel you want.
- Volume: area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet.
- Cubic yards: cubic feet ÷ 27. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet one inch deep.
- Compaction allowance: the total is increased by the percentage you choose, 10% by default, because loose gravel packs down when it is spread and tamped.
- Tons: cubic yards × the weight of the gravel type: 1.4 tons per cubic yard for pea gravel and #57 crushed stone, 1.35 for river rock and decomposed granite, 1.5 for crusher run.
- Bags: cubic feet ÷ 0.5, rounded up. A 0.5 cu ft bag of gravel weighs about 50 pounds.
Gravel is usually sold by the ton, so enter the supplier's price per ton to see the cost before delivery.
Gravel chart: cubic yards and tons
Gravel for common areas with no compaction allowance, at 1.4 tons per cubic yard (pea gravel or crushed stone).
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 0.62 yd³ (0.86 t) | 0.93 yd³ (1.3 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.73 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.59 t) |
| 10 × 20 ft (200 sq ft) | 1.23 yd³ (1.73 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.59 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.46 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5.19 t) |
| 12 × 24 ft (288 sq ft) | 1.78 yd³ (2.49 t) | 2.67 yd³ (3.73 t) | 3.56 yd³ (4.98 t) | 5.33 yd³ (7.47 t) |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | 2.47 yd³ (3.46 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5.19 t) | 4.94 yd³ (6.91 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10.37 t) |
| 20 × 40 ft (800 sq ft) | 4.94 yd³ (6.91 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10.37 t) | 9.88 yd³ (13.83 t) | 14.81 yd³ (20.74 t) |
How deep to lay gravel
| Project | Typical depth | Good gravel |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path or walkway | 2–3 in over a firm base | Pea gravel, decomposed granite, crushed stone with fines |
| Patio or seating area | 3–4 in | Pea gravel, crushed stone |
| Driveway base layer | 4–6 in, compacted | Crusher run, road base |
| Driveway top layer | 2–3 in | #57 crushed stone, decorative stone |
| Drainage trench or French drain | Fill the trench | Washed #57 stone or river rock |
| Under a shed or hot tub | 4 in, compacted | Crushed stone (#57) or crusher run |
Example: a 12 × 60 ft gravel driveway
The plan is 4 inches of crusher run, compacted, topped with 2 inches of #57 crushed stone, with 10% extra on each layer.
- Area: 12 × 60 = 720 square feet.
- Base layer: 720 × 4 ÷ 12 = 240 cubic feet. With 10% extra, 264 cubic feet, or 9.78 cubic yards. At 1.5 tons a yard, that is about 14.7 tons of crusher run.
- Top layer: 720 × 2 ÷ 12 = 120 cubic feet. With 10% extra, 132 cubic feet, or 4.89 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons a yard, about 6.8 tons of #57 stone.
- Order: round up to the load sizes the supplier sells, for example 15 tons of base and 7 tons of stone.
Tips
- Dig out first. Remove sod and soft topsoil so the gravel sits on firm ground. The depth you dig is the depth you fill.
- Lay landscape fabric under it. A woven geotextile keeps gravel from sinking into soil and slows weeds.
- Compact in layers. Tamp or run a plate compactor over each 2 to 3 inches of base. That is what makes a driveway firm.
- Edge paths. Steel, stone or timber edging stops pea gravel from spreading into the lawn.
- Check the load weight. Ask the supplier how many tons fit in a yard of their stone; a damp load or stone with lots of fines weighs more.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10×20 area?
A 10 × 20 ft area 3 inches deep takes 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards or about 2.6 tons of pea gravel or crushed stone. At 2 inches deep it takes 1.23 cubic yards (1.7 tons), and at 4 inches 2.47 cubic yards (3.5 tons). Add about 10% for compaction.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 pounds) for pea gravel and crushed stone, around 1.35 tons for river rock and decomposed granite, and about 1.5 tons for crusher run or road base. Wet gravel and stone with lots of fines weigh more, so ask the supplier what their load weighs.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Most gravel driveways are built in layers 4 to 8 inches deep in total. A typical build is 4 inches of crusher run or road base, compacted, under 2 to 3 inches of
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards, which covers roughly 115 square feet 2 inches deep, 77 square feet 3 inches deep, or 58 square feet 4 inches deep.
How many bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet, the usual size of a 50-pound bag of pea gravel. Bags make sense for a small path or a planter top dressing; for more than about half a yard, a bulk load is usually cheaper.
What gravel is best for a walkway?
Pea gravel is comfortable underfoot but rolls and spreads, so it needs edging. Crushed stone with fines, such as crusher run, decomposed granite or 3/4-inch minus, packs into a firm surface that is easier to walk and wheel on. Lay 2 to 3 inches over a compacted base.
Last updated October 20, 2026.