Gravel calculator
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton — and tonnage is what quarries quote. Enter your area and depth to get both, plus bag counts for small jobs.
Result
Gravel needed
How much gravel do I need?
Volume first, then weight:
Formula
ft³ = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 · yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27 · tons ≈ yd³ × 1.4
Example: a 24 ft × 10 ft path at 3 inches: 240 ft² × 3 ÷ 12 = 60 ft³ = 2.2 yd³ ≈ 3.1 tons — one full single-axle truck, or 120 fifty-pound bags (buy bulk).
How deep should gravel be?
| Use | Depth | Best material |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path (foot traffic) | 2–3 in | Pea gravel or #8/#57 stone |
| French drain / drainage trench | n/a (trench) | #57 washed stone, no fines |
| Driveway base + surface | 4–6 in total | See the driveway calculator |
| Under pavers | 4–6 in compacted | See the paver base calculator |
| Dog run / utility area | 3–4 in | #57 or pea gravel over fabric |
Weight matters
One cubic yard of crushed gravel weighs about 2,800 lb (1.4 short tons). That means: a half-ton pickup safely hauls only ~0.6 yd³; a 10 yd³ delivery is 14 tons — confirm your driveway and the delivery truck's route. Smaller amounts: a 50 lb bag is about 0.5 ft³, so 54 bags = 1 yard.
Always use landscape fabric under decorative gravel — it keeps stone from sinking into soil. Buy woven geotextile for driveways, non-woven for drainage and paths.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for 100 square feet?
At 3 inches: 100 × 3/12 = 25 ft³ = 0.93 yd³ = about 1.3 tons. At 2 inches it's 0.9 tons.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
About 1.4 short tons (2,800 lb) for crushed stone. Pea gravel runs a touch lighter, washed stone similar. Wet gravel is heavier.
How many 50 lb bags make a cubic yard?
A 50 lb bag of gravel is roughly 0.5 ft³, so 54 bags per yard. Bags only make sense for patches and small paths.
How deep should gravel be to walk on?
2–3 inches over compacted soil and fabric for paths. Deeper than 4 in and you'll sink and wobble — that's wheelbarrow territory.
How do I calculate gravel for a circular area?
Use the Circle tab: a 12 ft circle is 113 ft²; at 3 in that's 28.3 ft³ = 1.05 yd³ ≈ 1.5 tons.