Gravel Calculator

About Gravel Calculator

How the Gravel Calculator Works

The core formula converts area and depth into volume, then uses the density of the selected gravel type to calculate weight in tons.

Step	Formula	Example (12 ft x 25 ft driveway, 4 in crushed stone)
Area	Length x Width	12 x 25 = 300 sq ft
Volume (cubic feet)	Area x Depth in feet	300 x 0.333 = 100 cu ft
Volume (cubic yards)	Cubic feet / 27	100 / 27 = 3.70 cu yd
Weight (lbs)	Cubic yards x lbs per cu yd	3.70 x 2,700 = 10,000 lbs
Weight (tons)	Pounds / 2,000	10,000 / 2,000 = 5.0 tons
Bags needed (0.5 cu ft)	Cubic feet / bag size	100 / 0.5 = 200 bags

Worked example: A 12 x 25 foot single-car driveway at 4 inches deep needs 3.70 cubic yards of crushed stone, weighing roughly 5 tons. At $45 per cubic yard, that comes to about $167 for materials. Most suppliers deliver in full-yard increments, so you would order 4 cubic yards to have a small buffer for settling and compaction.

Gravel Types Comparison

Different gravel types have different densities, price ranges, and ideal applications. The weight figures below are approximate values for dry material - wet gravel can weigh 10-20% more, according to aggregate industry data from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA).

Gravel Type	Weight per Cu Yd	Cost per Cu Yd	Best Uses
Pea Gravel	2,600 lbs (1.3 tons)	$30-55	Pathways, patios, drainage, dog runs, between pavers
Crushed Stone	2,700 lbs (1.35 tons)	$30-50	Driveways, road base, foundation base, French drains
River Rock	2,600 lbs (1.3 tons)	$45-100	Dry creek beds, decorative borders, erosion control
Decomposed Granite	2,800 lbs (1.4 tons)	$35-60	Walkways, rustic patios, xeriscaping, garden paths
Lava Rock	1,350 lbs (0.68 tons)	$50-80	Garden beds, planters, lightweight ground cover, fire pits

Crushed stone is the most popular choice for driveways and structural applications because its angular shape locks together and compacts well. Pea gravel's round shape makes it comfortable underfoot but prone to shifting, so it works better for paths and decorative areas. Lava rock stands out for being roughly half the weight of other types, making it ideal for rooftop gardens, raised beds, and anywhere weight is a concern.

Cost data is based on 2026 pricing from Angi and HomeGuide. Prices vary by region and availability - local quarries are almost always cheaper than home improvement stores.

A few notes on each type worth knowing before you buy:

Pea gravel ranges from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch diameter. The smooth, rounded stones feel pleasant underfoot, which makes them a go-to choice for garden paths, play areas, and between stepping stones. The downside is that pea gravel migrates easily - it rolls under foot traffic and spreads beyond borders. Edging is essential to keep it contained. It also does not compact well, so it is a poor choice for driveways or any load-bearing surface.

Crushed stone (also sold as crusher run, #57 stone, or road base) has jagged, angular edges that interlock when compacted. This makes it the strongest choice for driveways, parking pads, and building foundations. It comes in sizes from dust-like fines to 2-inch chunks. For a driveway surface, #57 stone (roughly 3/4-inch pieces) is the most common size.

River rock is collected from riverbeds and comes in a range of sizes from 1 inch to 5+ inches. It is primarily decorative - used for dry creek beds, garden borders, and accent areas. Larger river rock is sold by the ton rather than by volume because the air gaps between stones mean a cubic yard of river rock has less actual stone than a cubic yard of smaller gravel.

Decomposed granite (DG) is natural granite that has weathered into small particles and fine dust. It packs down firmly when compacted, creating a smooth natural-looking surface that is popular for rustic walkways and xeriscape gardens in dry climates. It does need re-compacting and occasional topping up, as rain and foot traffic wear it down over time.

Lava rock is volcanic stone full of air pockets, which is why it weighs roughly half as much as other gravel types. It retains moisture in the soil beneath it, making it useful as garden mulch in dry climates. The red and black colour options add visual contrast. It does not compact, so avoid it for high-traffic areas.

How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?

A standard single-car driveway (10-12 ft wide, 20-25 ft long) at a proper 4-inch depth requires about 2.5-3.7 cubic yards of gravel. A two-car driveway (16-20 ft wide, 20-30 ft long) needs 4-7.5 cubic yards. These figures assume a single compacted layer of surface gravel.

For a driveway that will hold up to regular vehicle traffic, the recommended total depth is 8-12 inches built in three layers:

Layer	Material	Depth	Purpose
Base (bottom)	#3 crushed stone (1-2 inch pieces)	4-6 inches	Structural support and weight distribution
Middle	#57 crushed stone (3/4 inch pieces)	2-3 inches	Drainage and transition layer
Surface (top)	Pea gravel, crushed granite, or fine stone	2-3 inches	Smooth driving surface and appearance

Each layer should be compacted with a plate compactor before adding the next one. On clay-heavy or poorly drained soil, lay geotextile landscape fabric under the base layer to prevent the gravel from sinking into the ground over time. This is standard practice for aggregate bases in the NSSGA technical guidelines and among professional gravel contractors.

If your project also involves a concrete pad or footing alongside the gravel, the concrete calculator handles slab, column, and footing estimates in a similar way.

Tips for Ordering Gravel

Getting the right amount of gravel on the first delivery saves money and hassle. Here are practical tips based on common mistakes homeowners make.

Order 5-10% extra. Loose gravel compacts to about 90-95% of its original volume. Ground that looks flat often has dips and low spots that eat up material. A 5-10% buffer covers compaction, uneven terrain, and minor spillage during spreading.

Bags vs. bulk delivery. For small jobs under 1-2 cubic yards, bags from a home improvement store are convenient. For anything larger, bulk delivery from a local quarry or landscape supplier is dramatically cheaper. A bulk cubic yard of crushed stone costs $30-50, while buying the same amount in 0.5 cu ft bags could run $200 or more. Delivery fees typically run $75-150 depending on distance.

Know your truck capacity. A standard full-size pickup truck (8-foot bed) can carry about 1 cubic yard of gravel, which weighs 1.3-1.4 tons. Do not overload your truck beyond its payload rating. For larger orders, supplier delivery is safer and more practical.

Plan for compaction. If gravel is going under pavers, a building foundation, or a heavily used driveway, it needs to be compacted in lifts (layers). Add material, compact with a plate compactor, then add the next layer. This prevents settling and rutting later.

Use landscape fabric. Under any gravel path, patio, or driveway, landscape fabric prevents weeds from growing up through the stone and stops gravel from migrating down into the soil. Skip this step and you will be topping up gravel within a year or two.

For calculating the total area of irregularly shaped beds or multiple garden zones, the square footage calculator can help you get precise measurements before running the gravel estimate.

Coverage Reference Table

This table shows how much area one cubic yard of gravel covers at different depths. Use it for quick estimates when planning material orders.

Depth	Coverage (1 cubic yard)	Common Application
1 inch	324 sq ft	Light decorative top-dressing
2 inches	162 sq ft	Garden bed ground cover, light paths
3 inches	108 sq ft	Standard walkways, patios
4 inches	81 sq ft	Driveways (light traffic), parking areas
6 inches	54 sq ft	Driveway base layer, drainage fill
12 inches	27 sq ft	French drain trench, heavy-traffic driveway total depth

For general volume conversions beyond gravel, the cubic yards calculator converts between cubic feet, cubic yards, and other volume units for any material.

Common Gravel Projects and Material Estimates

To give a rough sense of scale, here are typical material quantities for common residential gravel projects. These assume a single layer at standard depth - multi-layer driveway builds need more.

Project	Typical Dimensions	Depth	Cubic Yards	Tons (Crushed Stone)
Garden path	3 ft x 20 ft	2 inches	0.37	0.50
Patio pad	10 ft x 10 ft	3 inches	0.93	1.25
Single-car driveway	10 ft x 25 ft	4 inches	3.09	4.17
Two-car driveway	18 ft x 30 ft	4 inches	6.67	9.00
French drain trench	1.5 ft x 30 ft	12 inches	1.67	2.25
Shed base	8 ft x 10 ft	4 inches	0.99	1.33

All of these estimates should include a 5-10% waste factor on top of the calculated amount. Round up to the nearest half or full cubic yard when ordering bulk delivery, since most suppliers charge in full-yard or half-yard increments.

Sources

• National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) - Aggregates Industry Overview
• USGS - Crushed Stone Statistics and Information
• USGS - Construction Sand and Gravel Statistics and Information
• Angi - Average Gravel Prices 2026
• HomeGuide - Crushed Stone and Gravel Cost 2026