Gravel Calculator — Tons and Cubic Yards
Calculate how much gravel, crushed stone, or river rock you need for driveways, pathways, and landscaping. Enter your dimensions, select a material, and get instant volume, weight, and cost estimates.
Gravel Calculator
Types of Gravel and Their Uses
| Type | Size | lb/cu ft | kg/m³ | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (#57) | 3/4"–1" (19–25 mm) | 100 | 1,602 | Driveways, drainage |
| Pea gravel | 1/4"–1/2" (6–13 mm) | 96 | 1,538 | Walkways, landscaping |
| River rock | 1"–3" (25–75 mm) | 100 | 1,602 | Decorative, xeriscaping |
| Decomposed granite | Fine | 105 | 1,682 | Patios, paths |
| Crusher run (#21A) | Mixed fines | 105 | 1,682 | Base material, compaction |
Conversion: lb/cu ft × 16.0185 = kg/m³
How Deep Should Gravel Be?
- Driveway: 4–6″ (10–15 cm) minimum; 8–12″ (20–30 cm) for heavy traffic. Layer: 4″ (10 cm) base + 2″ (5 cm) top dressing.
- Walkway / path: 2–3″ (5–8 cm) over compacted base.
- French drain: 12″ (30 cm) deep minimum, 6″ (15 cm) wide.
- Landscaping / decorative: 2–3″ (5–8 cm).
How to Calculate Gravel for Your Project
- Measure the area in feet: length and width. For irregular shapes, break into rectangles.
- Determine depth in inches: 2″ for walkways, 4–6″ for driveways.
- Calculate volume: L × W × (depth ÷ 12) = cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Calculate weight: Multiply cubic feet by the material density to get total pounds, then divide by 2,000 for tons.
Imperial example: A 20 × 10 ft driveway, 4 inches deep with crushed stone (100 lb/cu ft): 20 × 10 × (4/12) = 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards = 6,667 lbs ≈ 3.33 tons.
Metric example: A 6 m × 3 m driveway, 10 cm thick with crushed stone (1,600 kg/m³): 6 × 3 × 0.10 = 1.8 m³ × 1,600 = 2,880 kg (2.88 tonnes).
Ordering Gravel: Cubic Yards vs Tons (Cubic Meters vs Tonnes)
- Suppliers sell by the ton / tonne or by the cubic yard / cubic meter. 1 cu yd of gravel ≈ 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs) ≈ 1.6 tonnes (m³).
- Always confirm with your supplier which unit they use for pricing.
- Delivery: most suppliers deliver 5+ ton (4.5+ tonne) loads. Smaller loads may have a surcharge ($50–$150).
- Cost range: $25–$50 per ton ($28–$55 per tonne) on average (2026 US). Pea gravel and decorative stone cost more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Measure L × W × depth, divide by 27 for cubic yards (or use m³ directly). A typical 2-car driveway (12 × 50 ft / 3.7 × 15 m, 4″ / 10 cm deep) needs ~7.4 cu yd / 5.7 m³ (~10 tons / 9.1 tonnes). Add 10% for waste and compaction.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs) / 1.6 tonnes (m³) for standard crushed gravel. Varies by type and moisture: pea gravel ~1.30 tons/cu yd (~1.54 tonnes/m³), decomposed granite ~1.42 tons/cu yd (~1.68 tonnes/m³).
What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway?
Crusher run (#21A) at $20–$35 per ton. It compacts well because it contains a mix of stone sizes and fines, making it low-maintenance and durable for driveways.
How thick should a gravel driveway be?
4–6 inches minimum. For best results, use 3 layers: 4″ base stone (large crushed), 2″ mid-size stone, and 1″ top dressing of fine gravel. Total depth: 6–8 inches.
Related Calculators
- Sand Calculator — need sand for a base layer?
- Concrete Calculator — calculating concrete over gravel base?
- Mulch Calculator — landscaping over gravel?
- Soil & Topsoil Calculator — topsoil over gravel base?
- Brick Calculator — gravel for brick foundation
- Cubic Yards Calculator — generic volume calculator
- Area Unit Converter — convert between square feet, square meters, acres, hectares
- All Construction Calculators
Gravel densities are typical dry averages and may vary by source and moisture content. Prices are 2026 US national averages and will vary by region and supplier. Metric conversion: lb/cu ft × 16.0185 = kg/m³; 1 cu yd = 0.765 m³; 1 ton = 0.907 tonnes.
