Gravel Calculator — Cubic Yards & Tons
Work out how much gravel you need in cubic yards and tons from your area, depth and the stone density.
Calculator
Covering 200 sq ft at 4.0 in deep is about 2.47 cu yd of gravel — roughly 3.46 tons at 1.40 t/cu yd. Gravel is often sold by the ton; density varies with stone and moisture, so confirm the weight with your supplier.
Gravel is sold two ways — by the cubic yard and by the ton — and a good estimate needs both, because the yard is delivered but the ticket is often priced by weight. This tool starts from the same area×depth geometry as any bulk material, then multiplies the volume by the stone density to give you a weight in tons. Pick the density that matches your material: crushed gravel and river rock run about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, while denser or wet stone runs higher.
Laying a gravel patio or paver base? The sand calculator covers the bedding layer, and the paver-base calculator splits the base gravel and bedding sand for you.
Formula
Gravel volume is area times depth in cubic yards; weight is volume times the stone density:
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324
tons = cubic yards × density (tons per cu yd)
The 324 constant converts square-feet-inches to cubic yards (27 cu ft × 12 in). Density varies with the stone, its size, and how wet it is, so treat 1.4 tons per cubic yard as a starting typical and confirm the real weight on your supplier’s ticket.
Worked example
For a 200 sq ft pad at 4 in in crushed gravel (1.4 t/cu yd):
- Volume:
200 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.47 cu yd - Weight:
2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons
So you need about 2.47 cubic yards, roughly 3.46 tons, of gravel.
Buying gravel by the yard and ton
Gravel that lasts:
- Compaction eats depth. Compacted gravel settles about 20–25%, so order a bit extra and lay it slightly proud of the final grade.
- Bigger stone, more depth. Large stone needs a deeper layer to hide the ground beneath it; for a driveway, a 4 in compacted layer is a sensible minimum.
- Use a base and edging. A geotextile fabric under the gravel stops it sinking into soft soil, and edging keeps it from wandering into the lawn.
- Confirm the ton price. Because gravel is often billed by weight, ask the supplier what a cubic yard weighs for your specific stone before you order. Then price it with the bulk-material cost calculator.
The how-much-gravel guide covers driveways, paths and drainage gravel in more depth.
Reference table
Volume and approximate weight per 100 sq ft at 1.40 tons per cubic yard (density is a labeled typical — confirm it with your supplier):
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.62 cu yd | 0.86 tons |
| 3 in | 0.93 cu yd | 1.30 tons |
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 1.73 tons |
| 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | 2.59 tons |
More densities on the gravel & stone density table.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need in tons?
2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons.