Gravel Calculator
Use this gravel calculator to estimate the amount of gravel needed for landscaping, driveways, paths, and construction projects using standard US measurements.
Cubic Yards = Volume ÷ 27 · Tons = Volume × Density Factor (varies by type)
Always add 10% for compaction & waste · Density: crushed stone ~105 lbs/cu ft · pea gravel ~100 lbs/cu ft · Bulk pricing saves 40–60% vs bags
Estimates based on 2026 US average bulk pricing. Confirm current pricing with your local supplier before ordering.
Understanding the Calculator Inputs
This calculator converts your project dimensions into tons and cubic yards — the two units suppliers use to sell and deliver bulk gravel. It also estimates cost based on the selected gravel type. Here's what each input means and the common mistakes that lead to under-ordering.
Area Dimensions
Enter the length and width of the area to be covered. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles, calculate each separately, and add the totals. For L-shaped driveways, calculate each arm separately. The calculator works on the flat ground area — it does not account for sloped surfaces, which require slightly more material on the downhill side.
Depth
Depth is the single most important input — it affects the result more than any other variable. Getting depth right before ordering prevents the most common gravel mistake: ordering the right number of tons for the wrong depth. Standard depths by application:
- Decorative ground cover / flower beds: 2 inches
- Walkways and garden paths: 2–3 inches
- Top layer of a driveway: 2–3 inches
- Driveway base layer (compacted): 4–6 inches
- Full gravel driveway (3 layers): 8–12 inches total
- French drain trench fill: fill to within 6 inches of surface
- Under concrete slabs: 4–6 inches compacted
Gravel Type
Different gravel types have slightly different densities — crushed stone is denser than pea gravel, which is denser than decorative marble chips. The calculator applies the correct density for each type so the ton estimate is accurate. The type also determines which cost range to apply — decorative stones cost significantly more per ton than base gravel.
Why the Answer is in Tons
Bulk gravel is sold and delivered by the ton at most suppliers — not by cubic yard. The ton is the primary unit because weight determines truck capacity and delivery cost. The calculator shows cubic yards as a secondary output for cases where a supplier quotes by volume. When calling for a quote, always ask for pricing per ton delivered, and confirm the truck capacity so you know how many loads to expect.
Gravel compacts when weight is applied — a 4-inch loose layer compacts to roughly 3–3.5 inches under a vehicle or compactor. Order 10% more than the calculator result to account for compaction, uneven ground, and edge waste. On a 13-ton order that's 1.3 extra tons — worth every dollar to avoid a second delivery charge.
3 Real-World Gravel Examples
Example 1 — Garden Path (40 ft × 3 ft, Pea Gravel, 2" deep)
A decorative garden path between flower beds. Pea gravel over landscape fabric.
40 ft × 3 ft = 120 sq ft
Volume:120 × (2 ÷ 12) = 120 × 0.167 = 20 cu ft = 0.74 cu yd
Tons (pea gravel ~100 lbs/cu ft):20 × 100 ÷ 2,000 = 1.0 ton + 10% = 1.1 tons to order
Cost at $40–$55/ton delivered:$44–$61 — likely one mini-load delivery or bulk bag
Real-world note: For quantities under 1–2 tons, check whether your supplier offers a bulk bag delivery (typically 1 yard / ~1.4 tons in a supersack) — often more economical than a minimum truck delivery fee. For this path, 3 bags of bagged pea gravel (0.5 cu ft each) from a big box store may actually be cheaper than a delivery minimum charge. Compare per-ton cost vs the delivery fee before deciding how to order.
Example 2 — Gravel Driveway (120 ft × 12 ft, Crusher Run, 4" base)
A single-car gravel driveway from road to garage. Crusher run base layer, compacted.
120 ft × 12 ft = 1,440 sq ft
Volume:1,440 × (4 ÷ 12) = 1,440 × 0.333 = 480 cu ft = 17.8 cu yd
Tons (crusher run ~110 lbs/cu ft):480 × 110 ÷ 2,000 = 26.4 tons + 10% = 29 tons to order
Cost ($28–$45/ton delivered):$812–$1,305
| Item | Qty | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run (base, 4") | 29 tons | $28–$45/ton delivered | $812–$1,305 |
| Clean crushed stone (top, 2") | 15 tons | $38–$55/ton | $570–$825 |
| Landscape fabric (weed barrier) | 1,440 sq ft | $0.10–$0.20/sq ft | $144–$288 |
| Plate compactor rental | 1 day | $80–$120 | $80–$120 |
| Total DIY materials + rental | $1,606–$2,538 | ||
Real-world note: A proper gravel driveway uses a 3-layer system — geotextile fabric at the bottom to prevent gravel migration into soil, a 4" compacted crusher run base for stability, and a 2" clean stone top layer for appearance and drainage. Skipping the fabric layer means the gravel sinks into the soil within 2–3 years and you're ordering more gravel to top up. The fabric costs $150–$300 and eliminates 5–10 years of maintenance.
Example 3 — Patio Base Layer (20 ft × 16 ft, Crushed Stone, 6" deep)
Compacted crushed stone base under a paver patio — 320 sq ft at 6 inches depth.
20 ft × 16 ft = 320 sq ft
Volume:320 × (6 ÷ 12) = 320 × 0.5 = 160 cu ft = 5.93 cu yd
Tons (crushed stone ~105 lbs/cu ft):160 × 105 ÷ 2,000 = 8.4 tons + 10% = 9.3 tons → order 10 tons
Cost ($38–$55/ton):$380–$550 delivered
Real-world note: Always compact the gravel base in 2" lifts — add 2 inches, compact with a plate compactor, add 2 more inches, compact again. Dumping 6 inches loose and compacting once produces an uneven surface and inconsistent compaction depth. The paver sand goes on top of the final compacted gravel surface — not on loose stone. Use our paver calculator for the full patio material list.
Gravel Coverage Chart
Quick reference for how much gravel covers at different depths. Based on standard crushed stone density (~105 lbs/cu ft). Add 10% to all quantities for compaction and waste.
| Depth | 1 Ton Covers | 100 sq ft Needs | 500 sq ft Needs | 1,000 sq ft Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~160 sq ft | 0.6 tons | 3.1 tons | 6.2 tons |
| 2 inches | ~80 sq ft | 1.3 tons | 6.3 tons | 12.5 tons |
| 3 inches | ~53 sq ft | 1.9 tons | 9.4 tons | 18.8 tons |
| 4 inches | ~40 sq ft | 2.5 tons | 12.5 tons | 25.0 tons |
| 6 inches | ~27 sq ft | 3.7 tons | 18.8 tons | 37.5 tons |
| 8 inches | ~20 sq ft | 5.0 tons | 25.0 tons | 50.0 tons |
Based on crushed stone at 105 lbs/cu ft. Pea gravel is ~5% lighter; river rock is similar. All figures before 10% compaction/waste allowance.
Gravel Types & Best Uses
Choosing the wrong gravel type for an application is the most common gravel project mistake — round stones on driveways migrate and shift, while crushed angular stone compacts firmly and stays in place.
| Type | Size | Driveways? | Decorative? | Drainage? | Under Slabs? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher Run | Mixed fines + stone | Best — compacts firmly | No | Poor | Yes — base layer |
| Crushed Stone #57 | ¾" | Good — top layer | Moderate | Good | Yes |
| Crushed Stone #21A | ¾" + fines | Good — base | No | Moderate | Yes |
| Pea Gravel | ⅜" | Poor — shifts | Yes | Excellent | No |
| River Rock | 1–3" | Poor — rolls | Yes | Excellent | No |
| White Marble Chips | ½–1" | No | Premium | Good | No |
| Decomposed Granite | Fines | Good — compacts | Yes | Poor | No |
For driveways, always use angular crushed stone — crusher run, #57 crushed stone, or #21A. Angular stones lock together when compacted and stay in place under tire load. Round stones (pea gravel, river rock) roll out of the way under tires and migrate off the driveway surface within one season. No amount of edging or containment fixes this — the stone type is the issue.
Gravel Cost by Type (2026)
Bulk gravel pricing varies significantly by type and region. These are 2026 US average delivered prices — local quarry pricing may be lower, especially for large orders or if you can pick up yourself.
| Gravel Type | Per Ton (delivered) | Per Cu Yd | 10 Tons Total | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher Run | $28–$45 | $35–$55 | $280–$450 | Driveway base, compacted sub-base |
| Crushed Stone #57 | $38–$55 | $45–$65 | $380–$550 | Driveway top layer, drainage, slab base |
| Pea Gravel | $35–$55 | $40–$65 | $350–$550 | Decorative, paths, drainage |
| River Rock | $45–$75 | $55–$90 | $450–$750 | Decorative, dry creek beds |
| White Marble Chips | $60–$100 | $75–$120 | $600–$1,000 | Premium decorative landscaping |
| Decomposed Granite | $35–$60 | $40–$70 | $350–$600 | Paths, patios, driveways (compacts) |
Bulk vs Bags — When Each Makes Sense
| Quantity Needed | Best Option | Cost Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Under 0.5 tons (< 10 cu ft) | Bagged (big box store) | $5–$8 per 0.5 cu ft bag — convenient, no delivery |
| 0.5–1.5 tons | Supersack / bulk bag | ~1 cu yd per bag, $60–$120 delivered — best for small jobs |
| 1.5–5 tons | Mini load or bulk order | Bulk truck delivery, $150–$300 minimum delivery charge |
| 5+ tons | Full bulk delivery | Per-ton bulk pricing, delivery included — most economical |
Most dump trucks hold 14–16 tons of gravel. If your project needs 10–12 tons, ask your supplier about full truckload pricing — it's often 15–25% cheaper per ton than partial loads, and you avoid the risk of running short and paying a second delivery charge. The extra 2–4 tons can go toward a path, garden border, or future project.
Gravel Driveway Guide
A properly built gravel driveway uses 3 layers. Each layer serves a specific structural purpose — skipping any layer shortens the driveway's useful life significantly.
| Layer | Material | Depth | Purpose | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom (base) | Geotextile fabric + 4–6" large stone (#3 or #4) | 4–6" | Structural support, prevents sinking | 25–38 tons |
| Middle (base) | Crusher run or #21A, compacted | 4" | Stability, load distribution | 25 tons |
| Top (surface) | #57 crushed stone or pea gravel | 2–3" | Drainage, appearance, traction | 12–19 tons |
Gravel Driveway Cost by Size
| Driveway Size | Gravel Only (3-layer) | Installed (contractor) |
|---|---|---|
| Single car (10×80 ft) | $800–$1,400 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Single car (12×100 ft) | $1,200–$2,000 | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Double car (20×80 ft) | $1,600–$2,800 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Long rural driveway (12×200 ft) | $2,400–$4,000 | $4,500–$9,000 |
For the full driveway installation cost including labor, grading, and fabric, use our driveway cost calculator.
Common Gravel Ordering Mistakes
Using the Wrong Depth
The most common calculation error. Ordering gravel for a 2-inch depth when the project needs 4 inches produces exactly half the material needed. Measure the intended depth carefully for each application — decorative paths need 2 inches, driveways need 4–6 inches for the base layer. Depth has a 1:1 effect on material quantity and cost.
Choosing Round Stone for a Driveway
Pea gravel and river rock look attractive in landscaping photos but are completely wrong for driveways. Round stones don't compact — they roll under tire pressure, migrate to the edges, and leave bare patches within one season. Every ton of round stone used on a driveway is money that will need to be replaced with the correct angular stone within 1–2 years.
Not Ordering Enough
The calculator gives the base quantity. Without adding 10% for compaction and waste, most projects run short. Running short means a second delivery charge ($50–$200) on top of the extra material cost. It's always cheaper to have 1 extra ton left over than to pay for a second delivery. Order the calculator result + 10%, rounded up to the nearest half-ton.
Skipping the Landscape Fabric
Installing gravel directly on soil — without a geotextile landscape fabric — allows the gravel to slowly migrate into the soil over time, and soil to work up through the gravel. Within 3–5 years, a gravel driveway without fabric loses 1–2 inches of effective depth as the stones sink. Landscape fabric costs $0.10–$0.25 per sq ft and pays for itself many times over in reduced top-up requirements.
Not Confirming the Delivery Truck Access
Standard dump trucks are 8–9 feet wide and 25–30 feet long — they cannot navigate tight turns, low overhead obstacles, or soft ground that can't support a 40+ ton loaded vehicle. Call your supplier and describe the access situation before ordering. If access is limited, you may need a smaller truck (higher cost per ton) or multiple trips.
How We Calculate
The Volume Formula
Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × (Depth in inches ÷ 12)
Converting depth from inches to feet (÷ 12) and multiplying by area gives cubic feet. Dividing by 27 converts to cubic yards (27 cu ft = 1 cu yd).
Tons Formula
Tons = Volume (cu ft) × Density (lbs/cu ft) ÷ 2,000
Density varies by gravel type: Crusher run ~110 lbs/cu ft · Crushed stone #57 ~105 lbs/cu ft · Pea gravel ~100 lbs/cu ft · River rock ~100 lbs/cu ft · White marble chips ~90 lbs/cu ft. The calculator applies the correct density for the selected type — not a single generic value.
Cost Estimate
Cost ranges are based on 2026 US average bulk delivered pricing from landscape supply yards and quarries across 8 markets. The low end reflects quarry-direct pricing in gravel-producing regions; the high end reflects delivered retail pricing in areas further from production. Always get a current quote from your local supplier — gravel pricing varies more by region than almost any other building material.