How far will my gravel go?
Enter the tons or yards you have, pick the stone and the depth.
How the gravel calculator works
The calculator finds the area of each shape, multiplies by how many you have, subtracts cut-outs, then multiplies by depth. It adds your overage or compaction allowance, converts to cubic yards, and multiplies by the stone's weight per cubic yard to get tons. The density is shown and editable, so you can use your supplier's number.
With extra = volume × (1 + extra %)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
Area formulas used for each shape
| Shape | Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | length × width |
| Circle | π × (diameter ÷ 2)² |
| Triangle | ½ × base × height |
| Known area | entered directly in sq ft (or sq m if you chose meters) |
Worked examples
Example 1: a 20 × 3 ft garden path, 3 inches deep
20 × 3 = 60 sq ft. At 3 in (¼ ft) deep that is 15 cu ft, or 16.5 cu ft with 10% extra. That is 0.61 cubic yards. At 1.55 tons per cubic yard that is about 0.95 tons.
Example 2: a 12 × 40 ft driveway, 4 inch top layer
12 × 40 = 480 sq ft. At 4 in (⅓ ft) that is 160 cu ft, or 176 cu ft with 10% extra. That is 6.5 cubic yards, or about 10.1 tons at 1.55 tons per cubic yard. You would likely need a delivery, and a deeper compacted base would add more.
Example 3: a round pea gravel bed 10 ft across, 2 inches deep
Area = π × 5² = 78.5 sq ft. At 2 in (⅙ ft) that is 13.1 cu ft, or 14.4 cu ft with 10% extra. That is 0.53 cubic yards. Pea gravel at 1.375 tons per cubic yard is about 0.73 tons.
Tons per cubic yard by material
| Material | Typical range (tons per yd³) | Value used | Cubic yards per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¼ to 2 in) | 1.4 to 1.7 | 1.55 | 0.65 |
| Pea gravel | 1.25 to 1.5 | 1.375 | 0.73 |
| Rock (2 to 6 in) | 1.1 to 1.4 | 1.25 | 0.80 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.3 to 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.71 |
| Riprap | 1.7 to 2.0 | 1.85 | 0.54 |
These are commonly quoted ranges, not exact. Moisture and stone type change the weight, so confirm with your supplier.
How far does a ton of gravel go?
| Depth | Area covered by 1 ton | Area covered by 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 209 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 105 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 70 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 52 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 35 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
Tons column assumes 1.55 tons per cubic yard and no extra allowance. Divide the cubic-yard coverage by the tons per yard for your own material.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the compaction allowance. Loose gravel packs down. For compacted bases, ask your installer how much extra to order.
- Mixing tons and cubic yards. Prices are quoted in one or the other. Check the unit on your quote before comparing suppliers.
- Using the wrong density. Pea gravel, crushed stone and riprap all weigh differently. Pick the right material or enter your supplier's number.
- Mixing up depth units. 3 inches is ¼ foot, not 3. Pick the depth unit in the tool and check the result looks sensible.
- Overloading a vehicle. Gravel is heavy. Check your payload rating, or have it delivered.
How far does a ton of gravel go?
This table uses 1.55 tons per cubic yard, a typical figure for crushed gravel. Pea gravel and other stone are lighter or heavier, so a ton covers a little more or less. Pick your stone in the calculator, or enter the density from your supplier.
| You have | Covers at 2 in deep | Covers at 3 in deep | Covers at 4 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | 105 sq ft | 70 sq ft | 52 sq ft |
| 2 tons | 209 sq ft | 139 sq ft | 105 sq ft |
| 4 tons | 418 sq ft | 279 sq ft | 209 sq ft |
| 5 tons | 523 sq ft | 348 sq ft | 261 sq ft |
| 10 tons | 1,045 sq ft | 697 sq ft | 523 sq ft |
| 1 cubic yard (about 1.55 tons) | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
No allowance for compaction is included. Add 10 to 15% for a compacted base.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy gravel by the ton or by the cubic yard?
Both are common. Suppliers often sell by the ton because they load by weight, while projects are measured by volume. Use the calculator to get both, and ask your supplier which unit the price uses.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Common gravel weighs roughly 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard, so about 1.55 is a mid-range figure. Pea gravel is a little lighter, and riprap is heavier. Density changes with stone type and moisture, so confirm with your supplier.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At about 1.55 tons per cubic yard, a ton covers roughly 105 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70 square feet at 3 inches and 52 square feet at 4 inches. Heavier or lighter material changes these numbers.
How much extra gravel should I order for compaction?
About 10% extra is common for decorative gravel. Compacted base layers often need more, and figures up to around 30% are sometimes quoted. The calculator lets you pick 0 to 30%, so ask your supplier or installer which suits the job.
How much can a pickup truck carry?
It depends on the vehicle's payload rating, not the bed size. A cubic yard of gravel can weigh around 1.5 tons, which is heavy for many pickups. Check your payload rating, or use delivery for larger amounts.
What is the difference between gravel, pea gravel and crushed stone?
Gravel is naturally rounded or mixed stone. Pea gravel is small and smooth, and it shifts underfoot. Crushed stone is angular and tends to lock together, which is why it is often used for bases. Pick by use, then confirm sizes locally.
Is one cubic yard of gravel equal to one ton?
No. A cubic yard of gravel usually weighs about 1.4 to 1.7 tons, so a ton is about 0.6 to 0.7 of a cubic yard. At the calculator’s 1.55 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.65 cubic yards, or 17 cubic feet.
How many cubic yards will 1 ton of gravel cover?
One ton is roughly 0.6 to 0.7 cubic yard, depending on the stone. At 1.55 tons per cubic yard it covers about 105 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70 square feet at 3 inches and 52 square feet at 4 inches.
How many 50 lb bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
At 1.55 tons per cubic yard a yard weighs about 3,100 pounds, which is about 62 bags of 50 pounds. Lighter stone gives fewer bags and heavier stone gives more, roughly 56 to 68 for common gravel. Bags are best for small jobs, and bulk is cheaper for anything larger.
How much will 4 tons of gravel cover?
At 1.55 tons per cubic yard, 4 tons covers about 418 square feet at 2 inches deep, 279 square feet at 3 inches and 209 square feet at 4 inches.
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 area?
A 10 by 10 foot area is 100 square feet. At 3 inches deep that is 25 cubic feet, or about 0.93 cubic yards, which is about 1.4 tons. At 2 inches it is about 1 ton, and at 4 inches about 1.9 tons. Add 10 to 15% if the base will be compacted.
How many tons of gravel do I need to cover 200 square feet?
At 3 inches deep, 200 square feet needs 50 cubic feet, which is about 1.85 cubic yards or 2.9 tons. At 2 inches it is about 1.9 tons, and at 4 inches about 3.8 tons, at 1.55 tons per cubic yard.
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