Gravel Calculator
Volume and weight for paths, driveways and drainage — in yards, tons or bags.
Quick answer
Multiply area (sq ft) by depth in inches and divide by 324 for cubic yards, then multiply cubic yards by about 1.4–1.5 to estimate tons — gravel typically weighs 2,800–3,000 lb per cubic yard. A 10×20 ft path at 3 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards, roughly 2.6 tons.
Reference chart
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,800 lb | 1.4 |
| Crushed stone / road base | 3,000 lb | 1.5 |
| River rock | 2,700 lb | 1.35 |
| Decomposed granite | 3,200 lb | 1.6 |
Good to know
How deep should gravel be?
Walking paths and decorative cover: 2–3 inches. Driveways: 4–6 inches minimum, ideally in layers (larger crushed stone base, finer gravel top). Drainage trenches: depth is set by the drainage design rather than looks.
Order by volume or by weight?
Bagged gravel sells by volume or bag weight; bulk suppliers usually quote by the ton. The calculator shows both — but weight per yard varies by stone type and moisture, so for large orders confirm the conversion with your supplier.
Compaction and settling
Crushed gravel compacts by roughly 10–15% once tamped and driven on. For driveways and bases, order about 15% extra so the finished, compacted depth matches your plan. Laying weed fabric underneath keeps gravel from sinking into soil and doubles its effective life.