Calculate cubic yards and tons of gravel for any project — driveways, patios, pathways, drainage, and landscaping. Choose rectangular or circular area, select gravel type, and get instant results including coverage per ton, weight, and cost estimate.
✓Formula verified: InchCalculator.com & CalculatorSoup density data — April 2026
Density affects weight (tons); volume (cubic yards) stays the same
$
Leave blank to skip cost estimateEnter a valid price.
📏 Rectangular / Square Dimensions
ft
Length of area in feetEnter a valid length greater than 0.
ft
Width of area in feetEnter a valid width greater than 0.
⚠️ Confirm exact density and coverage with your local gravel supplier. Add 10–15% extra for compaction on driveways and base layers.
Was this calculator helpful?
✓ Thanks for your feedback!
📏 Circular Area Dimensions
ft
Full diameter of the circle (not radius)Enter a valid diameter greater than 0.
inches
Gravel depth in inchesEnter depth (0.5–36 inches).
Gravel Needed (with overage)
—
⚠️ Circular area formula: π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Confirm density with your local supplier.
Sources & Methodology
✓Formula and density data verified from InchCalculator, CalculatorSoup, and Casaplorer. All density values cross-referenced against TheSiteMath and HelloGravel supplier data.
Volume formula: Cubic Yards = L × W × (D/12) / 27. Weight conversion formula: Tons = Cubic Yards × Density. Material density table: pea gravel 1.4–1.7 t/yd³, crushed stone 1.4–1.7 t/yd³. Overage guidance: add 10% for standard projects.
Density by material: pea gravel 2,565 lbs/yd³ (1.28 t/yd³), decomposed granite 2,835 lbs/yd³ (1.42 t/yd³). Circular area formula using pi x r² x h / 27. Weight in multiple units methodology.
Basic formula: L × W × (D/12) / 27 = cubic yards; cubic yards × 1.4 = tons. Depth recommendations by application type and regional delivery cost benchmarks used in the gravel guide section.
Exact Formulas Used: Rectangular: Cubic Yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth (in) ÷ 12) ÷ 27Circular: Cubic Yards = π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × (Depth (in) ÷ 12) ÷ 27Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density (t/yd³) × Waste Factor
Density values (t/yd³): Standard gravel/crushed stone 1.40, Pea gravel 1.30, River rock 1.45, Crusher run 1.50, Decomposed granite 1.35, Sand 1.15. Waste factor applied before displaying final results.
Gravel is one of the most versatile and widely used materials in residential and commercial construction — driveways, patios, walkways, drainage, French drains, under-slab base, and landscaping. Calculating the right amount prevents costly short-orders (second delivery fees) and eliminates leftover piles. This guide covers the exact formula, application depth recommendations, material selection, and the conversions between cubic yards and tons that trip up most homeowners.
💡 The fundamental formula: Cubic Yards = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.4 (standard gravel average). Always add 10% for waste and overage. Quick shortcut for 3-inch depth: divide your square footage by 108 to get cubic yards.
Gravel Coverage Quick Reference
Depth
1 Cubic Yard Covers
1 Ton Covers (avg density)
Formula (sq ft ÷ X = yd³)
1 inch
324 sq ft
~231 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 324
2 inches
162 sq ft
~116 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 162
3 inches
108 sq ft
~77 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 108
4 inches
81 sq ft
~58 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 81
6 inches
54 sq ft
~39 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 54
12 inches
27 sq ft
~19 sq ft
sq ft ÷ 27
Cubic Yards vs. Tons — Why Both Matter
Gravel is sold by two different units depending on the supplier and quantity. Most landscape suppliers sell by the cubic yard (volume) for smaller orders, while aggregate quarries and dump-truck deliveries are usually sold by the ton (weight). Converting between the two requires knowing the material density.
Standard crushed stone is approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lbs). This means 1 cubic yard ordered from a bulk supplier weighs about 1.4 tons. If your supplier quotes by the ton, divide your cubic yard result by the density to see how many cubic yards your tonnage represents.
Application Depth Guide by Use Case
Use Case
Recommended Depth
Best Material
Notes
Decorative path / garden bed
2–3 inches
Pea gravel or river rock
No compaction needed; top dress annually
Patio surface (gravel)
3–4 inches
Pea gravel or decomposed granite
Lay over compacted base for stability
Playground surface
9–12 inches
Pea gravel (rounded only)
ASTM F1292 safety standard for play areas
Driveway surface layer
3–4 inches
Angular #8 or crushed limestone
Must be angular; round stones migrate
Driveway base layer
4–6 inches
Crusher run (compacted)
Compact each lift; critical for stability
Under shed or structure
4–6 inches
Crusher run
Extends 12" beyond structure perimeter
French drain
12–18 inches
#57 clean stone
Do NOT use crusher run in drains
Under concrete slab
4 inches
Compacted crusher run
Required before any concrete pour
How to Order Gravel — Tons, Yards, or Bags?
Bulk delivery by dump truck is the most cost-effective option for projects requiring 1 cubic yard or more. Dump trucks carry 13 to 25 tons. At $35 to $55 per ton for most gravel types, a full truckload costs $455 to $1,375 for materials plus delivery. Most suppliers have minimum order requirements of 5 to 15 tons.
Pickup truck: a full-size half-ton truck can safely carry about 0.5 cubic yards (approximately 700 lbs). A 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck handles 0.75 to 1.0 cubic yard. Never overload — gravel is extremely dense.
Bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs $5 to $8 per 0.5 cubic foot bag. At 54 bags per cubic yard, this works out to $270 to $432 per cubic yard — 4 to 8 times more expensive than bulk delivery. Only use bagged gravel for very small projects (under 0.5 cubic yards).
Understanding the Cubic Yard vs. Ton Conversion
The confusion between cubic yards (volume) and tons (weight) is one of the most common mistakes when ordering gravel. Here is the simple math with verified density values:
Standard gravel/crushed stone: 1.40 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lbs)
Pea gravel: 1.30 tons per cubic yard (2,600 lbs)
River rock: 1.45 tons per cubic yard (2,900 lbs)
Crusher run (road base): 1.50 tons per cubic yard (3,000 lbs)
Decomposed granite: 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs)
Sand: 1.15 tons per cubic yard (2,300 lbs)
To convert cubic yards to tons: multiply by the density. To convert tons to cubic yards: divide by the density. Our calculator handles both conversions automatically for all six material types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure length and width in feet. Divide depth from inches to feet by 12. Multiply: Length × Width × Depth (ft) = cubic feet. Divide by 27 = cubic yards. Multiply by density (1.4 tons/yd³ for standard gravel) = tons. Add 10% overage. Our calculator above does this instantly for 6 material types.
For a standard 2-car driveway (20 ft × 50 ft) at 4 inches: 20 × 50 × 0.333 / 27 = 12.3 cubic yards. Add 15% for compaction: order 14.1 cubic yards (about 21 tons). Single-car driveway (10 × 50 ft) at 4 inches needs 6.2 cubic yards or about 8.7 tons.
1 cubic yard of gravel weighs 1.25 to 1.5 tons depending on material. Standard crushed stone: 1.40 tons/yd³. Pea gravel: 1.30 tons/yd³. River rock: 1.45 tons/yd³. Crusher run: 1.50 tons/yd³. Multiply your cubic yard result by the material’s density to get tons. Our calculator does this automatically.
A 10 × 10 ft area: at 2 inches deep = 0.62 cubic yards = 0.87 tons. At 3 inches = 0.93 cubic yards = 1.30 tons. At 4 inches = 1.23 cubic yards = 1.72 tons. Always add 10% for overage. For a 10×10 patio at 3 inches: order 1.03 cubic yards or 1.44 tons.
1 cubic yard covers: 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, 54 sq ft at 6 inches. Quick shortcut: for 3 inches, divide your square footage by 108 to get cubic yards needed.
A cubic yard of gravel typically weighs 2,500 to 3,000 lbs (1.25 to 1.5 tons). Standard crushed stone: approximately 2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.4 tons). Pea gravel: approximately 2,600 lbs (1.3 tons). River rock: 2,800 to 3,500 lbs depending on stone size.
Bulk gravel costs $30 to $75 per cubic yard plus delivery. Per ton: crushed stone $35–$55, pea gravel $25–$55, river rock $45–$130, decomposed granite $35–$60. Dump truck delivery typically costs $50–$200 extra depending on distance. Get quotes from 2–3 local suppliers as regional prices vary significantly.
The best driveway uses multiple layers: 4–6 inches of crusher run (compacted) as a base, 3 inches of #57 stone as a drainage middle layer, and 2 inches of angular #8 or crushed limestone as the surface. Avoid pea gravel and round smooth stones for driveways — they migrate under tire traffic and provide no compaction or traction.
Standard 0.5 cubic foot bags of bagged gravel require 54 bags to equal 1 cubic yard (27 cu ft / 0.5 = 54 bags). At $5–$8 per bag, that is $270–$432 per cubic yard versus $40–$75 for bulk. For anything over 0.5 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always more cost-effective.
For a circular area: Volume = π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × (Depth in ft) ÷ 27. Example: 12-foot diameter fire pit area at 3 inches deep: 3.14159 × 36 × 0.25 / 27 = 1.05 cubic yards. Add 10%: order 1.16 cubic yards or 1.51 tons. Use our Circular Area tab above for instant calculation.
Use 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel (crusher run) under a shed foundation. Extend the gravel 12 to 18 inches beyond the shed footprint on all sides for drainage. Example: 12 × 16 ft shed with 2-foot extension on each side = 16 × 20 ft area at 4 inches = 3.95 cubic yards = 5.9 tons of crusher run.
Standard French drain: 12 inches wide, 18 inches deep. Per 100 linear feet: Volume = 1 ft × 1.5 ft × 100 ft / 27 = 5.56 cubic yards = 7.8 tons of #57 stone. Add 10%: order 6.1 cubic yards or 8.6 tons. Use clean, washed #57 gravel only — never crusher run in drainage trenches.