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Gravel Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Gravel is sold by the ton, priced by the yard, and your project is measured in feet — this tool converts between all three. Enter your area and depth to get an estimated tonnage range, cubic yards, and bag counts, with a compaction and waste allowance built in. No sign-up; the math runs entirely in your browser.
By HowMuchBuild Editorial TeamCalculation reviewedUpdated October 2026
feet
feet
inches — 4″ is typical for driveways & patios
10% is a safe default — gravel settles and compacts after spreading.
Estimated cost
What will it cost?
Enter your local store prices — prices vary by region.
Gravel (bulk, per ton)
2.5 tons
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Gravel (0.5 cu ft bags)
88 bags
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Estimate — prices vary by store and region. Check your local store for current pricing.
You need (estimate)
2.3–2.4tons
Weight estimate — 1 cu yd of crushed gravel weighs roughly 1.4–1.5 tons depending on stone type and moisture.
Order 2.5 tons (rounded up to the nearest half ton)
44
with waste (cu ft)
1.63
with waste (cu yd)
88
with waste (0.5 cu ft bags)
How we calculated it
- Area = 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
- Volume = 120 sq ft × 0.33 ft (4″) = 40 cu ft
- With 10% waste = 44 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.63 cu yd
- Weight estimate = 1.63 cu yd × 1.4–1.5 tons/cu yd = 2.3–2.4 tons
- Rounded up to the nearest half ton = 2.5 tons (order this amount)
- As 0.5 cu ft bags: 44 ÷ 0.5 = 88 → round up = 88 bags
Estimates for planning. Gravel weight varies by stone type, size, and moisture — suppliers round deliveries to the nearest half ton. Always round up: running short on a base layer means a second delivery fee.
Worked example: 12×10 ft pad, 4″ deep
Full arithmetic, step by step (matches the calculator defaults):
- Area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
- Volume: 120 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cu ft
- With 10% allowance: 44 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.63 cu yd
- Weight estimate: 1.63 × 1.4–1.5 = 2.28–2.44 tons
- Order: round the high end up to the nearest half ton → 2.5 tons bulk, or 44 ÷ 0.5 = 88 bags
Coverage chart: what one ton covers
Approximate square feet covered by one ton of crushed gravel at each depth (based on mid-range density — varies by stone):
| Depth | Area per ton (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2″ | ≈ 110 sq ft |
| 4″ | ≈ 55 sq ft |
| 6″ | ≈ 37 sq ft |
The formulas
Area
Rectangle: A = L × W · Circle: A = πr² — all in feet.
Volume
V = A × (depth in inches ÷ 12), then cu yd = V ÷ 27 (exact — one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet).
Weight (estimate)
Tons = cu yd × 1.4–1.5 — a range, because stone type, aggregate size, and moisture all move the number. Order quantity rounds the high end up to the nearest half ton.
Bags
Bags = ⌈ cu ft ÷ 0.5 ⌉ — exact arithmetic for standard half-cubic-foot bags, always rounded up.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
As an estimate, one cubic yard of crushed gravel weighs about 1.4–1.5 tons (2,800–3,000 lb). The exact figure varies with stone type, aggregate size, and moisture — which is why this calculator shows a range rather than a single number.
How much gravel do I need for a 12×10 ft area, 4 inches deep?
12 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cu ft; with a 10% compaction allowance that's 44 cu ft = 1.63 cu yd. At 1.4–1.5 tons per yard, that's 2.28–2.44 tons — order 2.5 tons bulk, or 88 half-cubic-foot bags.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the cubic yard?
Both, depending on the supplier. Bulk yards and landscape suppliers usually sell crushed stone by the ton; some sell by the cubic yard. Bags are sold by volume (commonly 0.5 cu ft). If your supplier quotes yards, use the cubic-yard figure from the calculator.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
As a rule of thumb (guidance): about 4 inches of compacted gravel over a prepared, compacted subgrade is common for residential driveways. Walkways and landscape beds are often fine at 2–3 inches. Deeper isn't automatically better — compaction matters more than thickness.
Crushed stone or pea gravel for a driveway?
Crushed stone (guidance). Its angular edges lock together under compaction, so it stays put under tires. Pea gravel is rounded and shifts — it's better suited to landscape beds and paths where you want a softer look.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
It helps in beds (guidance): fabric slows weeds and keeps gravel from sinking into soil. Under driveways it's debated — fabric can clog and trap water over time. A well-compacted subgrade matters more than fabric in either case.
Keep estimating