Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards & Tons
Convert driveway or path size into cubic yards and tons of gravel so you know how much to order from the quarry or garden center.
Cubic yards to order
2.716 cu yd
Tons to order
3.8 tons
200 sq ft × 4 in deep · 1.4 tons/yd · includes waste buffer
- Yards before waste
- 2.469 cu yd
- Cubic feet
- 66.67 cu ft
- Coverage area
- 200 sq ft
- Estimated cost
- $149.38
Default density is 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed gravel. Pea gravel, limestone, and recycled concrete can differ. Ask your supplier before a large order.
How this calculator works
Gravel volume starts with area × depth. Convert depth from inches to feet, multiply by square footage for cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Most crushed gravel and limestone weigh about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and wet rock can differ, so adjust the tons-per-yard field to match your supplier.
Yards answer “how much volume to order.” Tons answer “how heavy the delivery is.” Quarries often sell by the ton; landscape yards often sell by the cubic yard.
cubic yards = length × width × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 · tons ≈ yards × 1.4
- Use 3–4 in for paths and decorative beds
- Use 6–8 in for new driveway base layers
- Add 5–10% waste for settling, compaction, and uneven grade
- Confirm density with your quarry if ordering by the ton
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Find cubic yards first, then multiply by about 1.4 for typical crushed gravel. Example: a 20×10 driveway at 6 inches is about 3.7 cubic yards before waste, or roughly 5.2 tons at 1.4 tons per yard.
How do I calculate cubic yards of gravel?
Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft), then divide by 27. Depth in inches must be divided by 12 first. This calculator does that conversion for you and can add a waste buffer.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.7 cubic yards per ton when gravel weighs 1.4 tons per yard (1 ÷ 1.4). Lighter rock means more yards per ton; denser rock means fewer.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Common crushed stone is near 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard. This tool defaults to 1.4. Change the density field if your ticket or quarry quote lists a different number.
How deep should driveway gravel be?
New gravel driveways often need 6–8 inches of compacted base. Top-ups and decorative paths may only need 2–4 inches.
Should I order gravel by the yard or by the ton?
Use cubic yards when comparing bulk landscape deliveries sold by volume. Use tons when the quarry prices rock by weight. Convert with the density field so both numbers stay on the same takeoff.
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