Gravel Calculator for Tons, Cubic Yards and Cost
Convert your driveway, walkway, or base-prep project into tons, cubic yards, and dollar cost — use + Add area to total multiple pads or L-shaped runs in one order.
Gravel Calculator
Enter project dimensions below — results update instantly. Switch units freely.
Estimates assume typical industry density and waste factors. Always verify with your supplier and local building code before purchasing material.
Why Gravel Calculator Estimates Go Wrong
When a quarry says ‘gravel,’ they mean one specific product out of many. The word is a category, not a spec. Knowing the difference saves money and prevents picking a material that fails your application.
Common ‘gravel’ products you'll find at a supplier:
- Pea gravel (3/8 in) — small round stones, decorative paths and drainage layers. ~95 lb/ft³.
- #57 stone (3/4 in) — uniformly graded crushed stone, best drainage. Common driveway gravel. ~100 lb/ft³.
- Crusher run / DGA (¾ in minus) — crushed stone with fines that pack down hard. Best for driveway sub-base. ~110 lb/ft³.
- #2 stone (2 in) — larger angular stones for base course below driveways.
- River rock — rounded stones 1-3 in. Decorative only; does not compact.
Pick product by function:
- Top-course drive gravel — #57 or washed pea
- Drainage — #57 or larger washed stone
- Compactable base — crusher run or DGA
- Decorative — pea, river rock, colored stone
How to Calculate Gravel Calculator
Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.35
1.35 is the tons-per-cubic-yard factor for 100 lb/ft³ gravel. Denser materials (crusher run at 110 lb/ft³) use 1.49 tons/yd³.
Coverage rule of thumb at 100 lb/ft³:
- 1 ton of gravel covers ~80 ft² at 3 inches deep
- 1 cubic yard covers ~100 ft² at 3 inches deep
- Need 4 inches? Multiply depths, or coverage becomes 75% of the 3-inch number
Order guidance: gravel is sold by the ton at most quarries, by the cubic yard at landscape supply stores, and by the bag at big-box stores. Compare on a consistent unit before pricing. For orders over 5 cubic yards, always buy from a quarry by the ton — big-box prices are typically 2-3× higher.
Once the Gravel Calculator result looks reasonable, pick the specific product and cross-check: the Crusher Run Calculator for compactable driveway / pad base (the only material with a loose-vs-compacted ton split), the Pea Gravel Calculator for decorative paths and CPSC-compliant playground depth, the River Rock Calculator for 1–6 in landscape stone, the Decomposed Granite Calculator for DG paths / patios / xeriscape and stabilized driveway surfaces (1.25 compaction factor + stabilizer math), the Rip Rap Calculator for shoreline / channel / culvert outlet erosion control (FHWA HEC-23 D50 sizing + 2×D50 thickness), or the Crushed Stone Calculator for #57 / #4 angular drainage stone. That keeps the quantity, cost, and field assumption tied together before you call a supplier.
What Most Online Calculators Get Wrong Reviewed by Ethan Walker, Senior Asphalt Estimator & Paving Consultant (22 yrs)
AI tools quote gravel as one universal product. Four pitfalls AI summaries hide:
- Gravel density spans 1.20–1.62 t/yd³ by type. Pea gravel: 1.42. River rock: 1.55. Crushed limestone: 1.45. AI uses 1.5 universal.
- Loose vs compacted multiplier 1.15–1.25.
- Coverage at 4 in: 1 ton covers 80–100 sqft. Material-specific.
- Drainage gravel vs base gravel = different products. #57 (single-size, voids) vs DGA (dense, compacts).
This calculator outputs gravel tonnage by material type + state (loose vs compacted) + use-case reference. Gravel is 4 variables: type + density + state + use — the AI universal answer misses 3.
Gravel Coverage Table and Material Reference
| Product | Stone Size | Density | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 3/8 in rounded | 95 lb/ft³ | Decorative, walkways, drainage |
| #8 stone | 3/8 in angular | 100 lb/ft³ | Concrete mix, drainage |
| #57 stone | 3/4 in angular | 100 lb/ft³ | Driveway top, drainage, base |
| #4 stone | 1-1.5 in angular | 105 lb/ft³ | Below-grade drainage, ditch lining |
| #2 stone | 2 in angular | 105 lb/ft³ | Deep base, railroad ballast |
| Crusher run (DGA) | 0-3/4 in mix | 110 lb/ft³ | Compacted base under pavement |
| River rock | 1-3 in rounded | 90 lb/ft³ | Decorative, dry creek beds |
| 3/8 in Aglime | 3/8 in crushed | 105 lb/ft³ | Horse arenas, playgrounds |
Gradation names are standardized (ASTM D448). Confirm product code with supplier; names vary by region.
| Depth | ft² per Ton | ft² per yd³ | Tons per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 240 ft² | 324 ft² | 0.4 tons |
| 2 in | 120 ft² | 162 ft² | 0.8 tons |
| 3 in | 80 ft² | 108 ft² | 1.25 tons |
| 4 in | 60 ft² | 81 ft² | 1.67 tons |
| 6 in | 40 ft² | 54 ft² | 2.5 tons |
| 8 in | 30 ft² | 40 ft² | 3.33 tons |
Coverage at 100 lb/ft³ density. Adjust ±10% for specialty products (pea gravel lighter, crusher run denser).
Real-World Example Calculations
Driveway Top Course 12 × 40 ft @ 3 in pea gravel
Refresh decorative top course on existing driveway base.
- Length × Width
- 40 × 12 ft
- Depth
- 3 in
- Density
- 95 lb/ft³
Takeaway: Single dump-truck delivery. Rake smooth; no compaction needed for pea gravel.
Patio Sub-Base 14 × 14 ft @ 4 in #57 stone
Compacted gravel base under concrete patio.
- Length × Width
- 14 × 14 ft
- Depth
- 4 in
- Density
- 100 lb/ft³
Takeaway: Spread in 2-inch lifts; compact each lift with plate compactor before placing concrete.
Country Drive 12 × 300 ft @ 4 in crusher run
New gravel driveway from road to barn.
- Length × Width
- 300 × 12 ft
- Depth
- 4 in
- Density
- 110 lb/ft³
Takeaway: 3 tri-axle deliveries (22 tons each). Rent a vibratory roller ($350/day) for proper compaction.
Sources & Standards
These references are used for terminology, safety boundaries, and engineering assumptions. Local code, supplier specifications, and licensed design documents still control your project.
-
AASHTO T 19/T 19M-22 — Standard Method of Test for Bulk Density (‘Unit Weight’) and Voids in Aggregate
AASHTO
Cited for the bulk density (loose-rodded unit weight) basis of all aggregate tons-per-cubic-yard figures.
-
ASTM C33/C33M-23 — Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates
ASTM International
Cited for fine and coarse aggregate gradation requirements (#57, #67, #8 stone) referenced in the size and use-case tables.
-
ASTM D448-12(2017) — Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
ASTM International
Cited for the standardized aggregate gradation numbers (#1 through #67) used by aggregate suppliers.
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AASHTO T 99-22 / T 180-22 — Standard Method of Test for Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a Standard Effort (Proctor)
AASHTO
Cited for the 95% Modified Proctor compaction standard used to derive the loose-to-compacted conversion factor.
-
FHWA Geotechnical Engineering Program
Federal Highway Administration
Cited for subgrade preparation and compaction practice underlying the base-course quantity calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need per square foot?
At 3 inches deep and 100 lb/ft³ density: 1 ton covers ~80 ft². At 4 inches deep: 60 ft²/ton. For a typical 500 ft² driveway at 4 inches, you'll need about 8.3 tons.
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
For standard 100 lb/ft³ gravel: 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Crusher run at 110 lb/ft³: 1.49 tons/yd³. Pea gravel at 95 lb/ft³: 1.28 tons/yd³. Always ask the supplier for the specific density of the product you're ordering.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Two layers work best: base of crusher run or #2 stone at 4-6 inches, top of #57 or pea gravel at 2-3 inches. The base compacts solid to carry vehicle weight; the top layer provides the smooth, drivable surface.
How much does a ton of gravel cost?
In 2026: $22-40 per ton at the quarry gate. Delivery adds $50-150 per load. Big-box store bags run ~$6 per 50-lb bag — roughly $240 per ton, so buy bulk for anything over 1 ton.
How deep should gravel be on a driveway?
Minimum 4 inches total depth: 2-3 inches of compacted base + 1-2 inches of top gravel. For clay subgrades or heavy vehicles: 6-8 inches total. Thinner than 4 inches, gravel sinks into the soil and the drive becomes muddy.
Can I install gravel myself?
Yes — gravel driveways are one of the most DIY-friendly paving projects. Rent a skid steer or use a tractor with bucket for spreading. Rent a plate compactor or roller for base compaction. Allow 1 full day per 1,000 ft² for a 2-person DIY team.
How much gravel do I need for a 20x30 ft driveway at 3 inches deep?
600 ft² × 3 in × 100 lb/ft³ ÷ 2000 = 7.5 tons of gravel. For crusher run (110 lb/ft³), 8.3 tons. Add 10% for waste and settling: order 8-9 tons.