How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

For a standard two-car driveway (12 ft x 50 ft x 4 inches deep), you need approximately 7.4 cubic yards or about 10 tons of crushed stone. The recommended depth is 4-6 inches for driveways with regular vehicle traffic. Multiply length x width x depth (in feet) and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Always add 10-15% extra to account for compaction, spreading, and uneven terrain. At typical crushed stone prices of $25/ton, a 10-ton driveway costs about $250 in material plus $100-150 for delivery.

How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?

One cubic yard of standard crushed gravel weighs approximately 1.35 tons (2,700 pounds). However, weight varies significantly by gravel type: pea gravel averages 1.35 tons per cubic yard, crushed limestone about 1.30 tons, river rock 1.35 tons, and lava rock only 0.50 tons per cubic yard. The density depends on the rock type, moisture content, and particle size distribution. When ordering by weight, always confirm the specific density with your supplier, as prices are typically quoted per ton.

How deep should gravel be for a walkway?

Walkways typically need 2-3 inches of gravel for pedestrian traffic. For driveways with vehicle traffic, use 4-6 inches. For a base layer under pavers, 4-6 inches of compacted gravel is recommended by most paver manufacturers. French drains need at least 12 inches of drainage gravel surrounding the pipe. Always add 10% extra for compaction and settling, and install landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds and keep gravel from sinking into the soil over time.

How much does gravel cost per ton?

Gravel prices range from $15 to $100 per ton depending on type and region. Basic crushed stone (#57) runs $15-30/ton, pea gravel $25-50/ton, crushed limestone $20-35/ton, river rock $40-75/ton, and decorative lava rock $50-100/ton. Delivery fees typically add $50-150 depending on distance and order size, with most suppliers requiring a minimum order of 1-5 tons for delivery. For small projects, bagged gravel from hardware stores costs $3-6 per 0.5 cubic foot bag, which is much more expensive per unit but avoids delivery fees.

What is the difference between crushed stone and pea gravel?

Crushed stone has angular, irregular edges produced by mechanically crushing larger rocks, which allows the pieces to lock together when compacted. This makes it ideal for driveways, base layers, and any application requiring structural stability. Pea gravel consists of small, naturally rounded stones (typically 3/8 inch diameter) smoothed by water erosion. Its round shape makes it comfortable to walk on but poor for compaction since the pieces slide against each other. Use crushed stone where structural support matters and pea gravel for decorative, walkway, and drainage applications.

Gravel Calculator

Quick Answer

To estimate how much gravel you need, multiply length × width × depth (all in the same unit) to get volume, then convert to cubic yards and multiply by the gravel's density. Most crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so a 2-inch deep 100 sq ft area needs roughly 0.6 cubic yards (about 0.85 tons).

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Calculate gravel volume, weight, and cost for driveways, walkways, and landscaping projects.

Area Shape

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (inches)

Gravel Type

Volume Needed

0 cu yd

Cubic Feet0 Cubic Meters0 Weight (tons)0 Weight (lbs)0 Estimated Cost$0

How Gravel Calculations Work

A gravel calculator is a tool that estimates the volume, weight, and cost of gravel needed for a construction or landscaping project based on the area dimensions and desired depth. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the United States consumes approximately 1.1 billion metric tons of crushed stone annually, making it the most consumed mineral commodity in the country. Whether you are building a driveway, creating a garden path, or preparing a foundation base, accurate gravel estimation prevents costly over-ordering and frustrating shortfalls.

This calculator supports both rectangular and circular areas and automatically converts between cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters. It also estimates weight in tons based on the specific density of your chosen gravel type and provides a cost estimate. For related material calculations, see our Concrete Calculator and Sand Calculator.

The Gravel Calculation Formula

The standard formula for calculating gravel volume is:

Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft)

Since depth is typically measured in inches, divide by 12 to convert to feet first. To get cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27. For circular areas, use: Volume = pi x radius^2 x depth. To convert to weight: Weight (tons) = Volume (cubic yards) x Density (tons per cubic yard). Standard crushed gravel has a density of approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs).

Worked example: A rectangular driveway measuring 20 ft long x 10 ft wide x 4 inches deep: Volume = 20 x 10 x (4/12) = 66.67 cubic feet = 2.47 cubic yards. Weight = 2.47 x 1.35 = 3.33 tons. At $25/ton for crushed stone, the estimated cost is $83.25.

Key Terms You Should Know

Cubic Yard: The standard unit for bulk material orders in the U.S. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, or a cube measuring 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft.
Density: The weight per unit volume of the gravel. Crushed stone averages 1.35 tons/yd3, while lightweight lava rock is only about 0.50 tons/yd3.
Compaction Factor: Gravel compresses by 10-15% after being spread and compacted, which is why you should always order extra beyond the calculated volume.
Aggregate Size: The diameter of the gravel particles, typically measured in inches or millimeters. Common sizes include #57 stone (0.75-1 inch) for driveways and #8 stone (3/8 inch) for walkways.
Base Layer: A compacted gravel layer installed beneath pavers, concrete, or asphalt to provide drainage and structural support. Usually 4-6 inches of compacted crushed stone.

Gravel Types Compared: Cost, Density, and Best Uses

Gravel Type	Cost/Ton	Density (tons/yd3)	Best Uses
Crushed Stone (#57)	$15-30	1.35	Driveways, base layers, drainage
Pea Gravel	$25-50	1.35	Walkways, patios, garden beds
Crushed Limestone	$20-35	1.30	Foundations, road base, compaction
River Rock	$40-75	1.35	Decorative landscaping, dry creek beds
Lava Rock	$50-100	0.50	Fire pits, decorative beds, mulch replacement
Decomposed Granite	$20-40	1.40	Paths, xeriscaping, rustic patios

Practical Gravel Estimation Examples

Example 1 -- Standard Driveway: A two-car driveway measuring 12 ft wide x 50 ft long x 4 inches deep requires: 12 x 50 x (4/12) = 200 cubic feet = 7.41 cubic yards = approximately 10 tons of crushed stone. At $25/ton, that is $250 for material plus $100-150 for delivery. Always order an extra 10% (about 1 ton) for compaction and waste.

Example 2 -- Garden Walkway: A curved garden path 30 ft long x 3 ft wide x 2 inches deep with pea gravel: 30 x 3 x (2/12) = 15 cubic feet = 0.56 cubic yards = 0.75 tons. At $40/ton for pea gravel, that is about $30 in material. This is small enough to buy bagged at a hardware store (about 15 bags at 0.5 cubic feet each).

Example 3 -- Circular Fire Pit Area: A 10-foot diameter circle at 3 inches deep with lava rock: pi x 5^2 x (3/12) = 19.63 cubic feet = 0.73 cubic yards = 0.36 tons. At $75/ton, that is about $27 in lava rock. Use our Mulch Calculator if you are comparing lava rock to organic mulch options.

Tips for Ordering and Installing Gravel

Always over-order by 10-15%: Gravel compresses when driven or walked on, and surfaces are rarely perfectly flat. Ordering extra prevents a frustrating second delivery.
Consider delivery minimums: Most landscape suppliers require a minimum order of 1-5 tons for delivery ($50-150 delivery fee). For smaller quantities, buy bagged gravel from hardware stores.
Install landscape fabric first: Lay weed barrier fabric beneath gravel in landscaping applications. This prevents weed growth and stops gravel from sinking into soil, extending the life of your project by years.
Use proper edging: Without edging (metal, plastic, or stone), gravel spreads beyond your intended area. Install edging before pouring gravel.
Compact in layers: For driveways and base layers, apply gravel in 2-inch lifts and compact each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next. This produces a much more durable surface.
Account for slope drainage: Gravel areas should slope away from structures at a minimum grade of 2% (1/4 inch per foot) to prevent water pooling. Use our Soil Calculator for fill estimation.

Gravel Depth Guidelines by Application

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and industry best practices recommend the following gravel depths for common applications:

Walkways and paths: 2-3 inches of gravel over landscape fabric
Driveways (light traffic): 4-6 inches total, ideally in two layers with a coarser base and finer top
Driveways (heavy traffic): 8-12 inches of compacted gravel base, often with a geo-textile layer
Paver base: 4-6 inches of compacted crushed stone (#57 or road base), plus 1 inch of leveling sand
French drains: Minimum 12 inches of drainage gravel surrounding the perforated pipe
Decorative beds: 2-3 inches of decorative stone over weed fabric