Work out cubic yards and tons of gravel for a driveway, path or pad — with density presets for
the common stone types.
How to calculate gravel
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Multiply the area by the depth to get volume,
then convert to tons using the material's density:
volume (ft³) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
cubic yards = volume (ft³) ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × density (tons per yd³)
Recommended gravel depth by project
| Project | Depth | Notes |
|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 2″ | Over landscape fabric |
| Walkway / path | 2–3″ | Edging keeps it contained |
| Driveway (top layer) | 4″ | Compacted in 2″ lifts |
| New driveway base | 6–8″ | Larger stone (#3) below surface layer |
| Shed / hot tub pad | 4–6″ | Compacted, with timber or paver edging |
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A standard residential driveway uses 4 inches of compacted gravel over a prepared base. A 10×50 ft driveway needs about 6.2 cubic yards (roughly 8.6 tons of crushed stone). New driveways are usually built as two or three 2–3 inch lifts, each compacted.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, pea gravel about 1.35, and sand/gravel mix about 1.5. Suppliers often quote either unit — this calculator gives you both.
How deep should gravel be?
Walkways need 2–3 inches, standard driveways 4 inches (in lifts), and new driveways over soft ground 6–8 inches with larger base stone underneath. Decorative ground cover needs only 2 inches.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
One ton of crushed stone covers roughly 80–100 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 40–50 sq ft at 4 inches deep, depending on the stone density and compaction.
Should I put anything under gravel?
Yes — landscape fabric (geotextile) under gravel stops it sinking into the soil and keeps weeds from growing through. For driveways, use a compacted larger-stone base (e.g. #3 stone) under the surface layer.