Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel for a driveway, path or base in cubic yards and tons, with an optional cost estimate per ton.
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How to Calculate
Volume (yd³) = length × width × depth in feet ÷ 27. Multiply by the material density to get tons.
Most crushed stone weighs 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on size and moisture.
Driveways typically need 4–6 inches over a compacted base; garden paths 2–3 inches.
See our methodology for how every calculator on this site is built.
Worked Example: A Single-Car Driveway
A driveway 60 ft long and 12 ft wide, topped with 4 inches of crushed stone at 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
- Area: 60 × 12 = 720 ft²
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Volume: 720 × 0.333 = 240 ft³
- Cubic yards: 240 ÷ 27 = 8.89 yd³
- Weight: 8.89 × 1.4 = 12.4 tons
Most single-axle dump trucks haul 10 to 14 tons and tandems around 15 to 20, so this is usually one tandem load. If you are building a new driveway on bare dirt, the base layer below it (often 6 inches of crusher run) is another calculation: 720 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 13.3 yd³, or about 20 tons at 1.5 t/yd³.
Tons per 100 Square Feet
Handy for quick estimates. Based on 1.4 tons per cubic yard; adjust up for crusher run, down a little for round river rock.
| Depth | Cubic yards per 100 ft² | Tons per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.62 | 0.86 |
| 3 in | 0.93 | 1.30 |
| 4 in | 1.23 | 1.73 |
| 6 in | 1.85 | 2.59 |
| 8 in | 2.47 | 3.46 |
Picking the Right Stone
Crusher run (also called dense grade, 21A, or CR-6)
A mix of crushed stone and stone dust. The fines lock together when compacted, which makes it the go-to base for driveways, paver patios and shed pads. It packs hard and doesn't drain as freely as clean stone.
#57 stone
Clean, angular stone around 3/4 to 1 inch. Good driveway surface, good drainage stone behind retaining walls and in French drains. It doesn't pack as tight as crusher run, but it stays put.
Pea gravel
Small and rounded. It feels nice underfoot on paths and around fire pits, but it rolls. On a driveway or a slope it migrates and ruts. Use edging to hold it in place.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping compaction. Loose stone loses an inch or more of height once cars run over it. Compact the base in lifts of 2 to 4 inches with a plate compactor and account for that in your order. Many contractors add 10 to 15% for compaction on base material.
- Ordering by the yard, getting charged by the ton. Ask the yard which unit their price is in. A price per ton looks lower than the same stone priced per yard.
- Laying stone straight on clay. Without a fabric or a thick base, gravel sinks into wet clay within a season or two. You end up buying it twice.
- No crown. Shape the driveway a little higher in the middle so water runs off the sides. Puddles are what create potholes.
Rough Cost
Crushed stone and crusher run typically cost around $30 to $65 per ton at the quarry, with decorative stone and river rock costing more. Delivery is often a flat fee in the $75 to $200 range depending on distance. Bagged gravel at a home center is convenient for a few square feet but works out to several times the bulk price.
Sources
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 100 square feet; at 4 inches, about 50 square feet.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan 4–6 inches of surface gravel over 4–8 inches of compacted crusher run base.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?
Both. Quarries often sell by the ton, landscape yards by the cubic yard — this calculator gives both.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Use crusher run or #57 stone for the base and finish with #57 or 3/4 inch crushed stone. Round pea gravel rolls underfoot and under tires, so keep it for paths and patios.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
On soft or clay soil, a woven geotextile under the base keeps stone from sinking into the mud. On firm, well-drained ground it is optional.