How much gravel do I need?

Common questions

How much gravel do I need?

Multiply length × width × depth to get the volume, then multiply by the material's bulk density for the weight. A 10 ft × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep is about 0.93 cubic yards — roughly 1.3 tons of typical gravel. Order about 10% extra for settling.

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

Typical ¾-inch gravel or crushed stone runs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard loose. Road base with fines is heavier (about 1.5 tons), sand about 1.35, and larger river rock lighter (about 1.3). Moisture and stone size shift these, so confirm with your supplier.

How much area does a ton of gravel cover?

At a 3-inch depth, one ton of typical gravel covers roughly 75–80 square feet; at 2 inches, roughly 110–115 square feet. Halve the depth and you roughly double the coverage — the calculator does the exact math for your dimensions.

How deep should gravel be?

As general guidance: 2–3 inches (50–75 mm) suits decorative cover and paths, while driveways are usually built thicker — often 4–6 inches (100–150 mm) in compacted layers, with larger crushed stone below and finer gravel on top. Anything structural (a base under concrete or pavers) should follow your project's spec or local requirements.

Gravel or crushed stone — does the choice change the math?

Only through density and compaction. The volume calculation is identical; crusher run / road base compacts tighter and weighs more per yard, which is why the calculator lets you pick the material before converting volume to weight.

Does this work as a stone or aggregate calculator?

Yes. Pick crushed stone, river rock, road base or sand from the material list and it applies that material's typical density — so the same tool works as a stone calculator, a crushed stone calculator and an aggregate calculator, returning tons, cubic yards and tonnes.

Want the full walk-through? Read the gravel guide →