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Order the right amount of material the first time. Calculate exactly how many cubic yards and tons of gravel or stone you need for your project.
Conversion Note: This calculator assumes standard gravel density (~2,800 lbs or 1.4 tons per cubic yard). Highly dense stone like basalt will weigh more per yard.
Contractors and quarries speak in very specific terms when quoting bulk materials. Understanding these differences will ensure your project runs smoothly.
Volume (Cubic Yards) tells you how much space the gravel will fill. Weight (Tons) is what shipping and delivery companies use to charge you and assure their trucks are not overweight.
Always order 5% to 10% more gravel than the exact mathematical volume of your space. Some gravel spills, some sinks into the dirt, and all of it compacts when driven over.
Gravel is sold by size numbers. #57 stone is about 1 to 1.5 inches and is very common for driveways. Smaller sizes like 'Crusher Run' or Item 4 contain dust to help them compact like concrete.
To calculate volume manually, everything must first be in the same unit—typically feet.
A gravel calculator estimates how much material you need for a driveway, walkway, patio base, or drainage layer. Instead of guessing, it converts your length × width × depth into cubic yards (ordering volume) and then into tons (delivery weight).
Avoid under-ordering (running out mid-project) and over-ordering (wasted budget).
Your supplier talks in tons; the geometry starts in cubic yards.
Small depth differences change volume quickly because depth is a direct multiplier.
This calculator uses standard gravel geometry plus a fixed density assumption for converting yards into tons.
Assumption: ~1.4 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed gravel.
Manual method to estimate cubic yards and tons before you place an order.
in/12).L × W × D.ft³ ÷ 27.yd³ × 1.4.Quick intuition: if you double depth, volume doubles; if you double both length and width, volume increases 4×.
Same math, real projects. All examples assume depth is in inches and the density factor is 1.4 tons/yd³.
Area: 20 ft × 10 ft
Depth: 4 in = 0.333 ft
Area: 30 ft × 15 ft
Depth: 2 in = 0.167 ft
Area: 50 ft × 6 ft
Depth: 4 in = 0.333 ft
Tons and yards scale linearly with depth. Use this table for a fast “ballpark” check.
| Depth | Yards per 100 sq ft | Tons per 100 sq ft | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 yd³ | 0.43 tons | Light top dressing |
| 2 in | 0.62 yd³ | 0.86 tons | Patios / thin layers |
| 3 in | 0.93 yd³ | 1.30 tons | Walkways / moderate base |
| 4 in | 1.23 yd³ | 1.73 tons | Driveway patches |
| 6 in | 1.85 yd³ | 2.59 tons | Heavier base layers |
These errors cause the biggest order surprises.
Length/width and depth must be in the calculator's selected units. Depth is the most commonly mis-entered value.
Gravel compacts and shifts. A small overage (5%–10%) covers compaction, spillage, and uneven grade.
The calculator uses a standard density estimate. Wet or denser stone can change tonnage.
Crusher run compacts differently than pea gravel. If you're using a specialized base material, confirm the supplier's density.
Before you call the supplier, double-check these items.
Depth can vary at edges and slopes. Use the shallowest and deepest points as a range.
Ask if pricing is per ton or per cu. yard so the quote matches the calculator's outputs.
For most installations: add about 5%–10% beyond the strict math to handle compaction and spillage.
A cubic yard (yd³) of standard construction gravel or crushed stone typically weighs between 2,700 and 2,900 pounds, which is roughly 1.35 to 1.45 tons. Our calculator uses an industry-standard 1.4 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed gravel to ensure you order enough material.
For a driveway or high-traffic area, yes. You should excavate the topsoil and put down a sturdy base layer of larger crushed stone (like crusher run or #3 stone) compacted heavily before putting a top layer of pea gravel or #57 stone. For simple decorative garden beds, a landscape fabric weed barrier is usually sufficient.
A newly constructed gravel driveway needs to be quite thick, generally requiring 4 to 8 inches of gravel total (comprising different layers of large base stones and smaller top stones). If you are just "top dressing" an existing driveway that already has a solid compacted base, 1 to 2 inches of fresh surface gravel is usually enough.
Yes, particularly when first applied and driven over or exposed to heavy rain. Compaction can reduce the volume by roughly 5% to 10%. It is often advised to order about 5% to 10% more gravel than your strict mathematical calculation to account for compaction, spillage, and uneven ground.
A standard single-axle dump truck typically holds around 5 to 7 cubic yards (or roughly 7 to 10 tons). A larger tandem-axle dump truck can carry closer to 12 to 15 cubic yards (around 17 to 21 tons), depending on state road limits.
Crusher Run is a blend of crushed stone ranging from about 1 inch down to fine stone dust. When watered and rolled, the dust acts as a binder, creating a dense, hard surface that resists washouts. It is the perfect base layer for driveways.
Pea gravel is incredibly popular for patios, walkways, and playgrounds. The stones are small (usually 3/8 inch), rounded by water, and smooth to walk on barefoot. However, because they are round, they shift easily and do not lock together for heavy vehicles.
It is highly discouraged. Grass will eventually die and rot beneath the stone, causing the gravel to sink unevenly into the mud. You should excavate the sod, level the dirt, and lay down commercial-grade landscape fabric before pouring gravel.
Wet gravel can weigh significantly more than dry gravel (by up to 10%). While the cubic yard volume remains the same regardless of moisture, the weight in tons increases. If ordering by the ton after heavy rain, you might receive less physical volume than expected.
If the slope is steep, standard gravel will wash away during heavy rain. Consider using crushed angular stone (which locks together better than round river rock), installing a cellular confinement grid (geocell) to trap the rock, or building terrace retaining walls.
Plan the rest of your home paving and landscaping projects with these estimates.
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Calculate retaining wall materials, costs, and construction requirements.
Calculate land development costs, site preparation, infrastructure, utilities.
Calculate professional tree removal costs including stump grinding and debris removal.
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