Aggregate & Landscaping
Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel You Need? + Cost
Tell us your area and depth — we'll tell you exactly how much gravel to order in cubic yards, tons, bags and what it'll cost, for 10+ gravel types in both imperial and metric.
Here's the deal
Starting a project and not sure how much to buy? Punch in your measurements, pick your stone, and you'll walk away with an order list and a price — no guesswork, no second delivery fee. We've got this.
Wondering how much gravel (and money) you'll need for:
Before you start · Step 1
What you need to measure
The calculator needs just three numbers — the length and width of your area, and how deep you want the gravel. The diagram shows exactly what each one is.
Length & width
Measure the two sides of your area with a tape measure, in feet. For an odd shape, break it into rectangles and add them up. For a round bed, switch the calculator to circle and measure the diameter (straight across the middle).
Depth
This is how thick the gravel layer will be, in inches — the input people most often guess wrong. A path needs about 2″, a driveway 4″, a structural base 4–6″. Not sure? The depth guide has a standard for every project.
Gravel type
Your stone choice sets the density (how heavy it is) and the price. The types section breaks down which to use and what each costs — the calculator updates automatically when you pick one.
Step 2 · The tool
Gravel calculator
Enter your measurements,
then hit Calculate
Your full breakdown — yards, tons, bags, loads and cost — appears here.
Default: 40 × 12 at 4″ — press Calculate to compute your own.
Estimate only — weights use typical dry, loose densities and vary with moisture and compaction. Confirm with your supplier before ordering.
The method
How the gravel calculation works
Every estimate is three steps: find the volume, convert it to cubic yards (how bulk gravel is sold), then multiply by density to get tons. You can check it by hand in a minute.
1 · Volume
Length × width × depth. Depth is in inches, so divide it by 12 first to keep everything in feet.
2 · Cubic yards
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (3 × 3 × 3), so divide by 27.
3 · Tons
Multiply yards by density. Most gravel is about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard.
Worked through
A 40 × 12 ft driveway, 4 inches deep:
480 × (4 ÷ 12) = 160 ft³
160 ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³
5.93 × 1.5 = 8.89 tons
+10% → order ≈ 6.5 yd³ / 9.8 tons
Crusher run used here (1.5 t/yd³). Switch types in the calculator to see how density changes the tonnage.
Know your stone
Gravel types, uses & prices
“Gravel” covers a dozen materials that behave — and cost — very differently. The chart compares their size, then each card gives the quick pros, cons and a typical 2026 bulk price per ton. Pick wrong and a decorative stone ruts under a car, or a sharp base stone hurts underfoot.
Pea gravel$30–60/ton
Small rounded ⅜″ stones. The go-to for paths, patios, play areas and dog runs.
#57 stone$25–55/ton
Clean angular ¾″ crushed stone with no fines. The drainage standard.
Crusher run$22–45/ton
¾″-minus stone plus dust that compacts into a hard layer. The classic driveway base.
Crushed stone ¾″$25–55/ton
Angular graded stone. Versatile for driveways, fill and topping.
River rock$50–130/ton
Smooth water-worn 1–2″ stones in natural color blends. Decorative first.
Decomposed granite$30–70/ton
Finely crushed granite that packs into a firm, natural path surface.
Limestone #304/#411$30–55/ton
Crushed limestone in graded sizes. Common driveway and base material in the Midwest.
Rip rap$30–80/ton
Large 4–8″+ stone for erosion control on slopes and shorelines.
Reference
Gravel density & weight chart
Different gravels weigh different amounts, so the same volume can mean different tonnage. These are the densities the calculator uses for each type — typical dry, loose values; wet or compacted material weighs more.
| Type | Density | Weight / yd³ | Coverage / ton @ 2″ | Price / ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.40 t/yd³ | 2,800 lb | ≈116 ft² | $30–60 |
| #57 stone | 1.40 t/yd³ | 2,800 lb | ≈116 ft² | $25–55 |
| Crushed stone ¾″ | 1.45 t/yd³ | 2,900 lb | ≈112 ft² | $25–55 |
| Crusher run | 1.50 t/yd³ | 3,000 lb | ≈108 ft² | $22–45 |
| River rock | 1.40 t/yd³ | 2,800 lb | ≈116 ft² | $50–130 |
| Decomposed granite | 1.45 t/yd³ | 2,900 lb | ≈112 ft² | $30–70 |
| Limestone | 1.45 t/yd³ | 2,900 lb | ≈112 ft² | $30–55 |
| Rip rap | 1.35 t/yd³ | 2,700 lb | ≈120 ft² | $30–80 |
| Road / paver base | 1.50 t/yd³ | 3,000 lb | ≈108 ft² | $20–40 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.35 t/yd³ | 2,700 lb | ≈120 ft² | $15–40 |
Coverage
How much area does gravel cover?
Coverage is pure geometry: one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so coverage equals 324 divided by the depth in inches. Thinner layers cover more ground.
| Depth | Per yd³ | Per ton (≈1.4 t) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 ft² | 231 ft² |
| 2 inches | 162 ft² | 116 ft² |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² | 77 ft² |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² | 58 ft² |
| 6 inches | 54 ft² | 39 ft² |
Coverage vs depth (per yd³)
Conversions
Cubic yards to tons of gravel (and back)
Suppliers quote in yards or tons. At ~1.4 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards or 19 cubic feet.
| Yards | Tons | Cubic ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.4 | 27 |
| 2 | 2.8 | 54 |
| 3 | 4.2 | 81 |
| 5 | 7.0 | 135 |
| 10 | 14.0 | 270 |
| 20 | 28.0 | 540 |
| Tons | Yards | Cubic ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.71 | 19.3 |
| 2 | 1.43 | 38.6 |
| 5 | 3.57 | 96.4 |
| 10 | 7.14 | 192.9 |
| 20 | 14.3 | 385.7 |
Worked examples
Real projects, calculated step by step
Same three steps — volume, yards, tons — for the projects people ask about most. Numbers include the 10% waste margin where it matters.
DrivewayGravel for a 40 × 12 ft driveway
Standard 4 inches deep over compactable crusher run.
About 4.5 m³ / 8.1 tonnes. Crusher run runs $22–45/ton, so the stone is roughly $215–$440 before delivery.
Patio / PathPea gravel for a 12 × 12 ft patio
Decorative pea gravel about 2 inches deep over fabric.
Roughly one small delivery, or about 48 half-cubic-foot bags. At $30–60/ton, around $37–$75 of stone.
Landscape bedsRiver rock in a 10 ft circle
A round tree well or bed, 3 inches deep in decorative river rock — switch the calculator to circle.
River rock is $50–130/ton, so this decorative ton runs roughly $50–$130 — the premium you pay for looks.
Drainage#57 stone for a 50 ft French drain
A trench about 12″ wide backfilled with ~12″ of clean #57 around the pipe.
#57's open shape lets water flow freely. At $25–55/ton, about $65–$145 of stone.
Paver / Shed base#57 base for a 10 × 10 ft pad
A 4-inch compacted gravel base under bedding sand.
Compact in 2-inch lifts before laying pavers. Aquarium tip: for a fish tank, plan ~1–2 lb of gravel per gallon (a 75-gallon tank needs ≈75–110 lb for a 2–3″ bed).
Quick reference
How much gravel for common projects?
A fast lookup for typical project sizes at standard depths. Quantities exclude waste — add about 10%. Driveways and bases assume compactable crusher run (~1.5 t/yd³); paths and beds assume ~1.4 t/yd³.
| Project | Size & depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car driveway | 10 × 20 ft @ 4″ | 2.5 | 3.7 |
| Two-car driveway | 20 × 20 ft @ 4″ | 4.9 | 7.4 |
| Long driveway | 12 × 50 ft @ 4″ | 7.4 | 11.1 |
| Small patio | 10 × 10 ft @ 2″ | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Patio | 12 × 12 ft @ 2″ | 0.9 | 1.2 |
| Garden path | 3 × 50 ft @ 2″ | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Fire-pit area | 12 ft circle @ 3″ | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Shed base | 8 × 10 ft @ 4″ | 1.0 | 1.4 |
| Shed base | 10 × 12 ft @ 4″ | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| French drain | 50 ft trench, 1 × 1 ft | 1.9 | 2.6 |
Cost
How much does gravel cost?
Gravel has three price levels, and mixing them up is the top budgeting mistake. Wholesale at the quarry is cheapest, delivered bulk is higher, and bagged is the priciest way to buy by weight.
Live wholesale figure
$19.35 / metric ton
Current (escalated via WPU1321, as of May 2026) · USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 baseline of $18.50, escalated by the change in BLS Producer Price Index series WPU1321 (Construction Sand, Gravel, and Crushed Stone). Wholesale = at the plant, before delivery — retail and delivered prices are noted separately below.
The authoritative national figure is the USGS average unit value, measured at the plant before delivery. Its latest actuals are for 2025: $18.50 per metric ton for crushed stone and about $14.50 for construction sand & gravel. Carrying these forward at the actual 2024→2025 increase of 5.7%, the 2026 wholesale value works out to roughly $19.55 and $15.30 per metric ton — and crushed stone is up about 40% since 2021.
USGS crushed-stone value, 2021–2025 + 2026 (escalated) ($/metric ton, at plant)
Actuals 2021–2025: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — average unit value, f.o.b. plant. 2026 point: $19.35 · current (escalated).
| How you buy it | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk at quarry (f.o.b.) | $15–$25 / ton | USGS wholesale value (~$19.55/metric ton, 2026e); you haul it |
| Bulk delivered (plain) | $30–$60 / ton | Delivery $50–150/load; 5–10 ton minimums |
| Decorative / river rock | $50–$130 / ton | Color and size drive the premium |
| Bagged (0.5 ft³) | $4–$8 / bag | ≈ $200–$400/ton — tiny jobs only |
Planning
How deep should gravel be?
Depth changes the order more than anything else. Use these standards, then go deeper for soft soil or heavy loads.
| Project | Depth | Best material |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative bed / ground cover | 2″ | Pea gravel, river rock |
| Walkway / garden path | 2–3″ | Pea gravel, decomposed granite |
| Paver / shed base | 4″ | #57 stone, road base |
| Residential driveway | 4–6″ | Crusher run + crushed-stone top |
| Driveway over soft soil | 8–12″ | Crusher run in layers |
| French drain | full trench | #57 clean stone |
Before you order
5 tips to order gravel like a pro
1. Round up, never down. A second delivery means another minimum charge — far more than the extra stone. The 10% waste toggle covers it; bump to 15% on rough ground.
2. Break odd shapes into rectangles. Calculate each piece and add the yards — more accurate than guessing an average size.
3. Match the type to the job. Crusher run for driving surfaces, #57 for drainage, pea gravel for walking, river rock for looks.
4. Ask about delivery minimums. Many yards have a 5–10 ton minimum or flat fee. For tiny jobs, bagged can beat paying a minimum for half a yard.
5. Confirm density with your supplier. Local stone and moisture vary — give them your cubic yards and let them confirm the tonnage for the exact product.
Questions
Gravel calculator FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
How much area does 1 ton of gravel cover?
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
How do I convert square feet to tons of gravel?
What is the best gravel for a driveway?
How much does gravel cost?
How much does a tonne of gravel cover? (metric)
How many bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
Sources & methodology
- USGS — Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Crushed Stone · MCS2026 · 2026-02
- USGS — Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Construction Sand & Gravel · MCS2026 · 2026-02$14.50/metric ton 2025 actual; $15.30/metric ton 2026 projected at the actual 2024→2025 increase of 5.7%.
- BLS via FRED — PPI Construction Sand, Gravel, and Crushed Stone (Wholesale) · WPU1321, Index 1982=100 · 2026-02Used as the escalator for the live wholesale figure.
- Industry-standard aggregate density tables — Per-type gravel densities (1.35–1.50 t/yd³) · typical dry, loose valuesDensities are typical dry, loose values per material — the standard reference figures used across aggregate suppliers and engineering references for planning. No single primary publication is pinned per density on this page; for the most accurate tonnage on a specific load, confirm density with your supplier (also noted in the ordering tips).
This tool converts area and depth to volume, then to cubic yards (÷27) and tons (× density). Densities are typical dry, loose values per material; coverage is derived geometrically (324 ÷ depth in inches per cubic yard). Imperial and metric stay in lock-step — input values are converted to feet and inches inside the engine using the definitional ratios (1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 2.54 cm) so round-trips between unit systems are exact, not approximate.
Price data: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026— Crushed Stone and Construction Sand & Gravel (February 2026), average unit value f.o.b. plant ($18.50 and ~$14.50 per metric ton, 2025 actuals). The wholesale figure shown above is the 2025 USGS anchor escalated to the current month using the change in BLS series WPU1321 — Producer Price Index, Construction Sand, Gravel, and Crushed Stone (index 1982=100), via the FRED API. When the latest PPI observation is unavailable, the page falls back to the frozen 2025 anchor and labels the figure honestly, rather than guessing a number.
Per-type retail ranges are researched 2026 planning figures synthesized from current market cost guides; they vary by region, supplier, delivery distance and quantity. Treat every cost number on this page as a planning range, not a quote — small bulk orders pay disproportionate delivery and minimum charges, and decorative stone commands a markup that's separate from the underlying mineral cost.
Estimates only — confirm quantities and prices with your supplier before ordering or building. Full formulas, every pinned source identifier, and the PPI-as-escalator mechanism are documented on the methodology page.