Gravel Calculator
Enter your project's length, width, and depth to calculate exactly how much gravel to order — in cubic yards and tons.
Results
- Cubic yards
- 0.93 yd³
- Cubic feet
- 25.0 ft³
- Weight
- 1.30 tons
Assumed density: 2800 lb/yd³ (Crushed Gravel)
How it works
Measure your area in feet and enter the desired depth in inches.
The calculator converts to cubic feet, then to cubic yards (÷ 27).
Tons are estimated using gravel's density of ~2,800 lb/yd³ for crushed gravel.
Reference chart
Crushed gravel coverage at common depths (1 ton ≈ 0.71 yd³)
| Depth (in) | Coverage per ton (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 231 |
| 2 | 115 |
| 3 | 77 |
| 4 | 58 |
| 6 | 38 |
Crushed gravel vs pea gravel: which one to order
The two look similar on a price list but behave completely differently once they are on the ground. Crushed gravel is machine-broken, so every piece has sharp faces. Those faces lock against each other under load, which is why a crushed base holds a vehicle without rutting.
Pea gravel is river-worn and rounded. Rounded stone cannot interlock, so it stays loose and shifts underfoot — pleasant on a garden path, unstable under a car. It also migrates out of unedged areas over a season or two, which is why pea gravel installations usually need a border.
For a driveway, order crushed. For a walking path, decorative bed, or drainage fill where nothing heavy sits on top, pea gravel is the easier material to work with and looks cleaner.
Crushed gravel tonnage by driveway size
| Driveway size | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 20 ft (single car) | 3.5 tons | 5.2 tons |
| 12 × 24 ft (two car) | 5.0 tons | 7.5 tons |
| 10 × 50 ft (long approach) | 8.6 tons | 13.0 tons |
| 12 × 60 ft | 12.4 tons | 18.7 tons |
Order extra to cover compaction
Gravel is sold loose but installed compacted. Running a plate compactor over a crushed gravel layer typically takes 20–25% of the loose volume out of it, so a driveway that calculates to 4 inches of loose stone finishes closer to 3 inches.
The fix is to order for the finished depth plus roughly 20%. On the 10 × 20 ft driveway above, that turns 3.5 tons into about 4.2 tons. Coming up short is the more expensive mistake — a second delivery usually carries the same trip fee as the first, and a partial load costs more per ton.
Pea gravel does not compact in the same way, so this margin does not apply to decorative installs. Order those at the calculated volume.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for a 10×20 ft driveway at 4 inches?
10 × 20 × (4/12) = 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³ × 2,800 lb/yd³ = 6,914 lb ÷ 2,000 = 3.5 tons.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
4 inches is the minimum for light traffic; 6 inches is recommended for vehicles and winter climates.
What is the difference between crushed gravel and pea gravel?
Crushed gravel has angular edges that compact and interlock — ideal for driveways. Pea gravel is smooth and rounded, better for paths and decorative beds.
How much area does one ton of gravel cover?
About 58 sq ft at 4 inches deep, or 115 sq ft at 2 inches. One ton of crushed gravel is roughly 0.71 cubic yards.
Should I add extra gravel for compaction?
Yes for crushed gravel — plan on about 20% above the calculated volume, since compacting removes 20–25% of the loose depth. Pea gravel does not compact meaningfully, so order it at the calculated amount.
Do I need landscape fabric under a gravel driveway?
It is optional but usually worth it. Fabric separates the gravel from the soil below, which slows the stone from sinking into soft ground and reduces weeds pushing through. It matters most on clay or poorly drained sites.
Link to this calculator
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<a href="https://diymaterialcalculators.com/gravel/">Gravel Calculator</a> — free online calculator