Gravel and Stone Calculator
Enter the area and depth to see how many cubic yards and tons of gravel or stone to order for a driveway, path, patio base or drainage bed.
Result
- Cubic feet
- 66.7 cu ft
- Cubic meters
- 1.89 m³
- Pounds
- 6,914 lb
- Metric tonnes
- 3.14 t
- Area covered
- 200 sq ft
Densities are typical values for loose, dry material. Moisture and compaction change the weight, so confirm with your supplier before ordering by the ton.
Formula
- Volume = area × depth
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × density (lb per cubic yard) ÷ 2,000
How the Gravel and Stone Calculator works
Bulk stone is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Volume is the covered area times the depth. Weight is that volume times the density of the material. A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,800 pounds, or 1.4 US tons.
Typical depths are 2 inches for decorative cover, 4 inches for paths and patio base, and 4 to 6 inches for a driveway. Compacted base settles, so many installers order 10 percent extra.
Worked example
A driveway 20 ft × 10 ft covered 4 in deep needs 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 cu ft, which is 2.47 cubic yards. At 2,800 lb per cubic yard that weighs 6,914 lb, or 3.46 tons.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 US tons. Loose gravel weighs roughly 2,800 pounds per cubic yard, and crushed stone about 2,700 pounds.
How much area does one ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton of gravel covers roughly 115 square feet. At 4 inches it covers about 58 square feet.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Plan for 4 to 6 inches of compacted stone over a firm subgrade. Heavier vehicles or soft soil call for a thicker base laid in layers.
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