How much gravel do I need?
Length × width × depth = volume; volume × density = weight. A 10 ft × 10 ft area covered 3 inches deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards, which is roughly 1.3 tons of typical gravel. Add about 10% for settling and you order 1.5 tons.
Prefer to skip the math? Use the gravel calculator → It converts between tons, cubic yards and tonnes for five common materials.
1. The three-step calculation
Gravel math is the same volume calculation used for concrete, with one extra step at the end, because gravel is sold by weight as often as by volume.
- Measure the area. Length × width in feet (or metres). For an irregular shape, split it into rectangles and add them up.
- Multiply by depth. Convert inches to feet first (3 in = 0.25 ft). The result is cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. Metric users: metres × metres × metres gives cubic metres directly.
- Convert to weight.Multiply cubic yards by the material's bulk density — typically about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard for ¾-inch gravel or crushed stone, 1.5 for road base with fines, 1.35 for sand.
Worked example, all the way through: a driveway strip 30 ft long and 9 ft wide, topped up 2 inches. Volume = 30 × 9 × (2 ÷ 12) = 45 cubic feet. Divide by 27 → 1.67 cubic yards. Multiply by 1.4 → 2.3 tons. With 10% for settling, you order two and a half tons and you won't be calling the quarry twice.
2. Coverage table — what one ton actually covers
Derived from the typical 1.4 tons-per-cubic-yard density. Your supplier's material may differ — these are planning figures, not a substitute for their quoted weight.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | Per 100 ft² | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in (50 mm) | ~115 ft² | 0.62 yd³ · 0.9 t | Decorative top-up, paths |
| 3 in (75 mm) | ~77 ft² | 0.93 yd³ · 1.3 t | New paths, garden beds |
| 4 in (100 mm) | ~58 ft² | 1.23 yd³ · 1.7 t | Base layers, parking pads |
| 6 in (150 mm) | ~39 ft² | 1.85 yd³ · 2.6 t | Driveway build-ups (layered) |
3. Picking depth and material honestly
Depth is where most gravel orders go wrong, in both directions. Decorative cover over landscape fabric genuinely needs only 2–3 inches — deeper just wastes money and buries your edging. A driveway is the opposite: a thin cosmetic layer over soil ruts in the first wet month. Driveways are normally built in compacted layers — larger crushed stone below for structure, finer gravel on top for the running surface — commonly adding up to 4–6 inches or more depending on ground conditions and vehicle weight. If the gravel is a base under concrete or pavers, the project's spec or your local requirements set the depth; treat the figures here as general guidance, not a rule.
Material choice changes the weight, not the volume math. Crusher run (road base) packs tight because the fines lock together — that's what you want under things. Clean ¾-inch gravel drains freely — that's what you want around drains and on surfaces. Pea gravel rolls underfoot, which is comfortable for paths and useless on slopes. The calculator carries a typical density for each so the ton estimate tracks the material you actually pick; more material math lives on the concrete & aggregates hub.
One honest caveat about every gravel number: bulk density is a typical figure, not a constant. Wet material weighs more per yard than dry, and a supplier's "ton" reflects their stockpile on the day. For a small job the difference disappears inside your 10% margin; for a large order, ask the supplier what their material weighs per cubic yard and use that number in place of the default.
Common questions
- How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
- Volume = length × width × depth (keep depth in the same unit: 3 inches = 0.25 ft). Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material's density — about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical gravel — to get the weight to order.
- How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
- At 2 inches deep, roughly 115 square feet; at 3 inches, roughly 77; at 4 inches, roughly 58 (using a typical 1.4 tons per cubic yard). Deeper means less coverage in direct proportion.
- Should I order by the ton or by the yard?
- Suppliers quote both. The math links them through density: multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to estimate tons of typical gravel. Ask your supplier which unit they sell in and what their material actually weighs per yard — moisture and stone size change it.
- How much extra gravel should I order?
- About 10% beyond the calculated amount. Gravel settles and compacts after placement, sub-grades are rarely perfectly level, and a small shortfall costs a second delivery fee that's usually worth avoiding.
Reference & education only. Not professional, engineering, or code-compliance advice. Estimates are based on published model codes; local amendments and your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) govern. Always verify against the current adopted code and a licensed professional before doing work.
Last reviewed 2026-06.