Calculate how much gravel you need for driveways, paths, and landscaping. Results in cubic yards and tons.
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A DIY homeowner in Ohio is building a 16×20 ft pressure-treated pine deck. Wants to calculate board footage, joist spacing requirements, and total material cost before going to the lumber yard.
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Based on your inputs
tons (with waste)
| Cubic Feet (no waste) | 66.67 ft³ |
|---|---|
| Cubic Yards (with waste) | 2.72 yd³ |
| Cubic Meters | 1.89 m³ |
| Tons Needed | 3.80 tons |
| 50-lb Bags (if bagged) | 153 bags |
Tip: Order bulk gravel for areas over 1 cubic yard — it's much cheaper than bags.
Analyze 3+ calcs to unlock your Financial Picture dashboard (cross-analysis of all your numbers).
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or ton, but you measure your project in feet and inches. This guide bridges that gap with formulas, conversion factors, and real-world examples for driveways, paths, and landscaping beds.
Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (inches) / 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27
Tons = Cubic yards x density factor (typically 1.4 for crushed stone)
Driveway: 4-6 inches total (2-3 inch base of larger stone + 2-3 inch top layer)
Walking path: 2-3 inches
Patio base (under pavers): 4-6 inches of compacted gravel
Drainage (French drain): 6-12 inches
Decorative landscaping: 2-3 inches
Driveway base (under concrete): 4-8 inches compacted
Volume = 20 x 50 x (4/12) = 333.3 cu ft
Cubic yards = 333.3 / 27 = 12.35 cu yd
With 10% waste = 13.58 cu yd
Tons (crushed stone) = 13.58 x 1.4 = 19.0 tons
Cost at $30/ton delivered = approximately $570
One ton of standard crushed stone covers:
1 inch deep: 240 sq ft | 2 inches deep: 120 sq ft
3 inches deep: 80 sq ft | 4 inches deep: 60 sq ft
6 inches deep: 40 sq ft
Bagged gravel (typically 50 lb bags) costs $4-$8 per bag. At 50 lbs per bag, you need 40 bags per ton -- that is $160-$320 per ton bagged versus $25-$50 per ton delivered in bulk. For anything over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is far more economical.
Use our gravel calculator for instant estimates. For the concrete that may sit on top of your gravel base, try our concrete calculator.
Not all gravel is the same. Different sizes, shapes, and materials serve different purposes. Choosing the wrong type leads to shifting driveways, poor drainage, or weed problems. This guide covers the most common gravel types and their ideal uses.
Crushed stone is mechanically broken from larger rocks, creating angular edges that lock together when compacted. This is the most popular choice for structural applications.
#57 stone (3/4 inch): Most versatile. Driveways, drainage, concrete aggregate.
#411 stone (mix of #4 and dust): Self-compacting base material for driveways and under slabs.
#2 stone (2-3 inches): Drainage ditches, retaining wall backfill, heavy-duty base.
Crusher run (mix of stones and fines): Best driveway base -- compacts to a hard surface.
Density: approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Smooth, rounded stones available in natural earth tones. Does not compact well, so it is not ideal for driveways. Best uses:
- Walkways and garden paths (comfortable to walk on)
- Playground surfacing
- Between stepping stones
- Decorative landscaping beds
- Dog runs
Density: approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Larger rounded stones from riverbeds. Decorative and functional for erosion control. Not suitable for driveways (too large and round to compact). Best uses: dry creek beds, landscape borders, around foundations for splash drainage.
Density: approximately 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
Finely crushed granite that compacts into a firm, natural-looking surface. Popular in drought-tolerant landscaping and rustic paths. Needs edging to stay in place and periodic top-dressing.
The best driveway uses a layered approach: 4 inches of #2 crushed stone base, topped with 2-3 inches of #57 or crusher run. Avoid pea gravel for driveways -- it shifts under tires and tracks into the house. Use our gravel calculator to estimate quantities for each layer.
A gravel driveway costs a fraction of asphalt or concrete while providing excellent drainage and a rustic aesthetic. This guide covers installation specifications, cost breakdown, and long-term maintenance to help you plan your project.
Total depth: 6-8 inches (3 layers is ideal)
Width: 10-12 ft for single lane, 20-24 ft for two cars
Crown: Center should be 1/2 to 1 inch higher than edges for drainage
Grading: Minimum 2% slope away from structures
Base layer (4 inches): #2 or #3 crushed stone (2-3 inch pieces). Provides structural support and drainage.
Middle layer (2 inches): #57 stone (3/4 inch). Fills gaps in the base and adds stability.
Top layer (2 inches): #411, crusher run, or #8 stone. Creates the driving surface.
For a typical 12 x 50 ft single-lane driveway (600 sq ft):
Gravel material: 10-15 tons at $25-$50/ton = $250-$750
Delivery: $50-$150 per load
Geotextile fabric: $0.30-$0.60/sq ft = $180-$360
Grading and compacting (DIY): Equipment rental $200-$400
Professional installation: $2-$5 per sq ft = $1,200-$3,000
Total DIY cost: $700-$1,500
Total professional cost: $1,500-$4,000
Monthly: Fill potholes with additional gravel.
Annually: Grade the surface to restore crown and fix low spots. Add 1 inch of top layer gravel every 1-2 years.
Every 3-5 years: Major regrading and possible addition of base material.
Gravel: $1-$5/sq ft installed, 20+ year lifespan with maintenance
Asphalt: $3-$7/sq ft installed, 15-20 year lifespan
Concrete: $8-$18/sq ft installed, 25-50 year lifespan
Calculate your exact gravel quantities with our gravel calculator. If you decide on concrete instead, use our concrete calculator for that estimate.
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet). Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply by 1.4 for tons.
Driveways: 4–6 inches. Paths: 2–3 inches. Drainage: 6–12 inches.
Approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed stone.
At 2 inches deep: ~160 sq ft. At 4 inches deep: ~80 sq ft.
Use the formula Area equals pi times radius squared to find the area in square feet. Multiply by the depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by the density factor to get tons needed.
Crusher run or number 411 stone is best for driveways because angular edges lock together when compacted, creating a stable surface. Avoid pea gravel which shifts under tires and does not compact well.
Multiply cubic yards by the density factor for your gravel type. Crushed stone uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard, pea gravel uses 1.35, river rock uses 1.5, and sand uses 1.6 tons per cubic yard.
Measure the trench length, width, and depth in feet. Multiply to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and add 10 percent for waste. French drains typically need 6 to 12 inches of gravel depth.
Crushed stone has angular edges from mechanical crushing and compacts into a firm surface ideal for structural applications. Pea gravel is naturally rounded and smooth, better suited for decorative landscaping and walkways.
Volume = L × W × (D/12) (ft³)
Cu Yards = Volume ÷ 27 × (1 + waste%)
Tons = Cu Yards × 1.4 (crushed stone)
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.