Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards and Tons
Gravel is the foundation of many outdoor projects — driveways, walkways, French drains, landscaping beds, and more. But gravel is sold by weight (tons) while you measure by volume (cubic yards). Our gravel calculator converts between the two, helping you order the right amount for the project.
How to Calculate Gravel Volume
All dimensions in feet. Depth is typically in inches, so divide inches by 12 to convert to feet.
Gravel Weight by Type
Different types of gravel weigh different amounts per cubic yard:
- Crushed stone / #57 — ~1.35 tons per cubic yard
- Pea gravel — ~1.3 tons per cubic yard
- River rock — ~1.32 tons per cubic yard
- Sand — ~1.4 tons per cubic yard
- Crusher run / base — ~1.45 tons per cubic yard
- Limestone — ~1.4 tons per cubic yard
How Thick Should Gravel Be?
Recommended depths by project type:
- Walkways / paths — 2-3 inches
- Patio base under pavers — 4-6 inches of compacted base + 1" sand
- Driveway — 4-8 inches (2-3 layers compacted)
- French drain — fill trench with 3/4" clean stone
- Landscape drainage — 2-3 inches for decorative top layer
Example: 20×10 Driveway
20 ft × 10 ft driveway, 4 inches deep, crushed stone:
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd
- Tons: 2.47 × 1.35 = 3.33 tons
- With compaction: order ~3.5 tons
Compaction Factor
Gravel compacts when you tamp it down. Crushed stone compacts about 15-20%. Always order extra to account for compaction — we recommend adding 10-15% to your order.
FAQ
How much is a yard of gravel?
A cubic yard of gravel is a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet, weighing roughly 1.3-1.5 tons.
How much gravel for a driveway?
4-6 inches deep for residential driveways, in multiple compacted layers.
What is #57 gravel?
#57 crushed stone is 3/4" to 1" size, the most common for driveways and drainage.