How to calculate gravel
- Area in sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet.
- Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
- Cubic yards × density (tons per yard) = tons.
Example: a 50 × 12 ft driveway topped with 3 inches of gravel is 600 × 0.25 = 150 cu ft = 5.56 cu yd × 1.4 = 7.8 tons.
Typical weight per cubic yard
These are typical dry values used by the calculator. Moisture and stone size change the weight, so treat them as a starting point and edit the density if your supplier gives a different number.
| Material | Tons per cu yd | Pounds per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.4 | 2,800 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 | 2,800 |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.4 | 2,800 |
| Road base / crusher run | 1.5 | 3,000 |
| Sand | 1.3 | 2,600 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 | 2,200 |
Recommended depth by project
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative top layer / garden path | 2–3 in |
| Patio or walkway base under pavers | 4–6 in compacted |
| Driveway (base + top layer) | 6–9 in total |
| Shed base | 4–6 in |
Ordering tips
- Compactable materials lose volume when compacted, so order about 10–15% extra for bases.
- Ask whether the price includes delivery and whether the truck can dump where you need it.
- Lay landscape fabric under decorative gravel to slow weeds and keep stone from sinking into soil.
