Gravel Calculator: How Many Tons or Yards of Gravel Do I Need?
Quick answer: a 10 ft x 10 ft area, 3 inches deep, needs 0.93 cubic yards of gravel, which weighs about 1.3 tons. A typical gravel driveway, 12 ft x 50 ft at 4 inches deep, needs about 7.4 cubic yards, roughly 10.4 tons.
Gravel calculator
Weights are typical dry values in US tons (2,000 lb). Real weight varies with stone type and moisture, so check your supplier's figure. Compacted base layers settle, so order 10 to 20% extra.
Gravel needed for common jobs
How deep should gravel be?
| Job | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path or decorative bed | 2 to 3 in |
| Patio or shed base (under pavers or slab) | 4 to 6 in, compacted |
| Gravel driveway | 4 to 6 in on top of a base layer, often 8 to 12 in in total |
| French drain trench | Fill the trench around the pipe |
How the calculation works
- Cubic feet = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × material weight per cubic yard.
Common questions
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
About 0.71 cubic yards, which covers roughly 58 sq ft at 4 inches deep, or 77 sq ft at 3 inches.
How many bags of gravel equal a ton?
Store bags are usually 0.5 cu ft. One ton (about 19 cu ft) is roughly 39 bags, so bulk delivery is much cheaper for anything over a few hundred square feet.
Checked by: Engr. Abdul Latif, civil and structural engineer. Volumes are exact geometry; material weights are typical published values. Estimates for planning only.