How to calculate gravel
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Suppliers sell bulk gravel by the cubic yard or by the ton; to convert, multiply cubic yards by the material's weight per yard and divide by 2,000.
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in |
| Patio base | 4 in |
| Driveway | 4–6 in in layers |
Coverage of one ton
At 2,800 lb per cubic yard (crushed stone).
| Depth | Area covered by 1 ton |
|---|---|
| 2 in | about 115 sq ft |
| 3 in | about 77 sq ft |
| 4 in | about 58 sq ft |
Questions people ask
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Crushed stone and gravel usually weigh about 2,700–3,000 lb per cubic yard, roughly 1.4 tons. Wet or very fine material weighs more, so ask your supplier for their number and enter it as a custom weight.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
A gravel driveway is usually built in layers about 4–6 in deep in total. Paths and patios often use 2–4 in over a compacted base.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2,800 lb per cubic yard, a ton is about 19 cubic feet. That covers about 115 sq ft at 2 in deep, or about 77 sq ft at 3 in deep.
Should I order extra?
Gravel settles and compacts, so add 5–10% for driveways and bases that will be compacted.