Gravel Calculator
Volume and weight for paths, driveways and drainage — in yards, tons or bags.
Path or driveway? Depth matters as much as area — 2–3 in for walking paths, 4–6 in for driveways. Results show volume and weight, since bulk suppliers usually quote by the ton.
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.