How much gravel do I need per square foot?

Multiply your area in square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For example, 100 sq ft at 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards of gravel.

How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?

Most gravel weighs about 1.4 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on the material. Pea gravel is roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, while crushed stone can reach 1.6 tons or more.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

A gravel driveway typically needs 8 to 12 inches of total depth, built in layers: a 4-inch base of larger crushed stone, a middle layer, and a 2-to-3-inch top layer of smaller gravel.

Should I buy gravel by the ton or by the cubic yard?

Suppliers sell both ways. Bulk deliveries are usually priced by the ton, while bagged gravel is sold by volume. This calculator shows both so you can compare quotes either way.

Gravel Calculator

Get cubic yards, tons, and cost for driveways, paths, and drainage — pea gravel, crushed stone, sand, or river rock.

Last updated July 26, 2026

Material

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (in)

Waste / margin factor

Estimate cost

Pea gravel needed

1.43 tons

(1.02 cu yd / 0.78 cubic meters)

0.5 cu ft bags

Coverage area

100.0 sq ft

How to use the gravel calculator

1
Choose your material — pea gravel, crushed stone, sand, or river rock.
2
Select Rectangle or Circular, then enter your area's dimensions.
3
Pick a depth preset (2", 3", or 4") or enter a custom depth, plus a waste factor.
4
Your tons, cubic yards, bags, and estimated cost appear instantly and update as you adjust any field.

How much gravel do I need? The tonnage formula

A gravel driveway is built in layers — base, middle, and top — each with its own depth.

Gravel is measured by volume for delivery but sold by weight, so an accurate estimate needs both numbers. Here's how the calculator gets from your area to tons:

Area = length × width (or π × radius² for a circular area)
Volume in cubic feet = area × depth (in feet — divide inches by 12 first)
Cubic yards = volume in cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × the selected material's density (tons per cubic yard)

Worked example: A 10 ft × 10 ft path at 3 inches deep has an area of 100 sq ft and a depth of 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft, giving a volume of 100 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet. Adding a 10% waste factor brings it to 27.5 cubic feet, or 27.5 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.02 cubic yards. For pea gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that's 1.02 × 1.4 ≈ 1.43 tons — or 55 bags at 0.5 cu ft each.

Gravel density quick reference

Material	Tons per cubic yard
Pea gravel	≈1.4 tons
Crushed stone	≈1.6 tons
Sand	≈1.5 tons
River rock	≈1.3 tons

Densities vary by moisture content and exact material — these are standard landscaping reference values. For precise bulk orders, confirm the density with your supplier.

Pouring a slab or laying mulch instead of loose gravel? Try the Concrete, Mulch & Topsoil Calculator →

Using gravel as the compacted base under a paver patio? Try the Paver / Patio Calculator →

Frequently asked questions

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