How much gravel do I need?
Calculate this loadA driveway usually wants 4 inches of compacted gravel. Paths can use 2–3. Measure, then convert to yards and tons.
Project calculator
Area 1
Cubic yards
1.23 yd³
Tons
1.73 t
2 cu ft bags
17
Estimated cost
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Gravel planning density 1.4 t/yd³ (FHWA / typical crushed gravel 2,400–3,000 lb per loose cubic yard). Order 1.5 yd³ with 5% waste. 3 cu ft bags: 12.
The fastest driveway estimate: square footage times 0.0123. That is the 4-inch, divide-by-27 shortcut (4/12/27). A 500 square-foot drive is about 6.2 yards. At 1.4 tons per yard you are in the 8–9 ton window, which is a single tri-axle for many yards and two dumps for a smaller truck.
Width is where DIY tape measures lie. Measure the actual driving surface, including the flare at the street. A 10-foot ‘driveway’ that is 12 feet at the apron is not 10 feet.
If you are topping an existing drive, measure the low spots, not the crown. A 1-inch refresh over 500 ft² is only 1.5 yards — a different order than rebuilding the base.
This page shares the gravel engine and points at crushed stone when the job is structural. Use the lead form when you want a yard to quote delivery instead of guessing dump fees.
Formula
Yards = ft² × (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. A yard covers 81 ft² at 4 inches.
Worked example
A 50 × 10 ft drive at 4 inches is 500 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 6.17 yd³, about 8.6 tons at 1.4 t/yd³.
Gravel on the ground
Typical cover is 3 inches. Range 1.2–1.5 t/yd³. 3/4-inch crushed gravel as placed, not compacted. Wet loads run heavier.
Density table
| Material | t / yd³ | lb / yd³ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.4 | 2800 | FHWA / typical crushed gravel 2,400–3,000 lb per loose cubic yard |
| Crushed stone | 1.35 | 2700 | ASTM C29 typical bulk density for crushed stone aggregates |
| Pea gravel | 1.3 | 2600 | Landscape industry pea-gravel bulk density, 2,400–2,800 lb/yd³ |
| Sand | 1.35 | 2700 | FHWA / Engineering Toolbox dry-to-damp sand ~2,400–3,000 lb/yd³ |
Related calculators
Gravel calculator
Size a driveway, path, or French drain in cubic yards first — then convert to tons using a cited 1.4 tons/yd³ planning density.
Crushed stone calculator
Crushed stone is the angular base under driveways and pavers. Plan 4 inches, compacted, at about 1.35 tons per yard.
Pea gravel calculator
Rounded 1/4–3/8 inch pea gravel is a 2-inch path material. It migrates, so plan edging and a little extra.