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How much gravel do you need?
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Whether you need a crushed stone calculator, a pea gravel calculator or a gravel driveway calculator, the math is the same: multiply your area by the depth (2-3 inches for paths, 4-6 for driveways), divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the density (about 1.4 tons per yard for #57 crushed stone) to get tons. This gravel calculator reports both the cubic yards and the tons so you can order whichever way your supplier sells. Building a paver patio instead? Use the paver base calculator; for any material volume, the cubic yards calculator is the quick hub.
Gravel types & how much they weigh
The tonnage depends on the stone. Pick the closest match in the calculator; weights vary with moisture and supplier, so treat these as estimates and confirm before a big order:
| Gravel type | Tons per cubic yard | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| #57 / crushed stone (3/4") | ~1.4 | Driveways, French drains, paver & slab base |
| Pea gravel | ~1.35 | Paths, patios, play areas, decorative beds |
| Crusher run / compacted base (QP) | ~1.5 | Compacted sub-base under stone or pavers |
Gravel for driveways & French drains
For a gravel driveway, plan 4-6 inches of total depth — often a crusher-run base topped with #57 or 3/4-inch crushed stone. For a French drain, size the trench as a rectangle (length x width x depth) and use washed #57 stone, which drains fast and resists clogging. Enter your dimensions above and the calculator returns the exact yards, tons and pickup loads to order.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Measure the area (length x width in feet) and the depth in inches. Multiply area by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the density to get tons — crushed stone is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 30 ft x 10 ft path at 3 inches deep needs about 2.8 cubic yards, or roughly 3.9 tons.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
For a gravel driveway, plan on 4-6 inches of total depth (often a coarser base plus a #57 or crushed-stone top). As an example, a 50 ft x 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep is 600 sq ft x 0.333 ft = about 7.4 cubic yards, or roughly 10 tons of crushed stone. Enter your driveway length, width and depth above for an exact figure in yards and tons.
How deep should gravel be?
For a walkway or patio base, 2-3 inches is typical over a compacted sub-base. For a gravel driveway, plan 4-6 inches total, often in two layers (a coarser base and a finer top). Deeper is needed for soft or clay soils.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the gravel’s density. Crushed stone and #57 gravel are about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard, pea gravel about 1.35, and compacted base around 1.5. Because gravel is often sold by the ton, this conversion tells you how much to order.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
About 1.4 US tons (roughly 2,800 lb) per cubic yard for dry crushed stone; wet gravel weighs more. A standard pickup can usually carry about 1 cubic yard (1-1.5 tons) safely — check your vehicle’s payload.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton of crushed stone covers roughly 100 square feet; at 3 inches, about 65-70 square feet. Coverage drops as depth increases. Enter your area and depth above for an exact figure.
What is #57 stone?
#57 stone is crushed stone screened to roughly 3/4-inch pieces with the fines removed. Because it drains well and compacts into a stable layer, it is one of the most common choices for driveways, French drains, paver and slab sub-base, and general fill. It weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How much gravel do I need for a French drain?
A French drain is usually a trench about 12 inches deep and 6-12 inches wide, backfilled with washed #57 or 3/4-inch stone around a perforated pipe. For a 50 ft trench 12 in deep and 8 in wide, that is 50 x 1 x 0.67 = about 33 cubic feet, or roughly 1.25 cubic yards (about 1.7 tons). Enter the trench length as the length, the trench width as the width and the depth above to size it.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Most gravel driveways use a compacted base layer (crusher run or #411) topped with #57 crushed stone or 3/4-inch gravel for drainage and a stable surface. Pea gravel looks good but shifts underfoot and under tires, so it is better for paths and patios than driveways.