Gravel Calculator
Enter your area and depth to get both cubic yards and tons. Gravel is sold by weight, so the tonnage is the number to give the supplier — and this calculator adds the compaction allowance most people forget.
Why the answer is in tons
Mulch is sold by the cubic yard, but gravel is sold by weight. Yards are what you measure; tons are what you order and pay for.
The conversion depends on the material. Crushed stone runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, dense crusher run about 1.5, and topsoil closer to 1.1. Wet material weighs more, so a load delivered after rain will show heavier on the ticket than the same volume dry.
The volume itself is area × depth ÷ 27, with depth converted from inches to feet.
Compaction — the number most calculators skip
Angular base material loses 15–25% of its loose volume when it is compacted. If you order exactly the loose volume you calculated, you will finish short and be waiting on a second delivery for a job you thought was done.
The default here is 20%, which suits crusher run and road base. Set it to 0 for loose decorative stone — pea gravel, river rock, and #57 stone used as a top layer are not compacted and stay at their loose volume.
Typical depths
2 to 3 inches for a decorative top layer over existing base.
4 inches of compacted base under a paver patio or walkway, over geotextile fabric.
8 to 12 inches total for a new driveway on undisturbed soil, and this must go down in layers of no more than 4 inches, each compacted before the next. A single deep pour never compacts properly and the surface will rut within a season. Most driveways use a coarse base layer with a finer top layer rather than one material throughout.
Checking the delivery
A standard single-axle dump truck carries about 5 tons; a tandem-axle carries 10 to 15. The load count matters because delivery is often priced per trip, and splitting an order across two trips can cost more than rounding up to fill one.
Also check the weight output before you decide to haul it yourself. A pickup rated for half a ton cannot carry a cubic yard of gravel — that is roughly 1.35 tons, nearly three times the rating. This is a common and genuinely dangerous mistake.
Densities here are typical values. Suppliers vary by quarry and by moisture. If your order is large, confirm the conversion factor with the yard before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons for standard crushed stone, 1.4 to 1.5 for dense crusher run and road base, and around 1.1 for topsoil. The exact figure varies by quarry and moisture content, so confirm with your supplier on large orders.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A new driveway on undisturbed soil generally needs 8 to 12 inches total, placed in layers of no more than 4 inches with each layer compacted before the next. Resurfacing an existing driveway usually needs only 2 to 3 inches of new top material.
Should I add extra for compaction?
Yes, for any base material. Angular crushed stone and crusher run lose 15 to 25 percent of their loose volume when compacted, so ordering only the calculated loose volume leaves you short. Loose decorative stone that is not compacted needs no allowance.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 2,700 pounds for crushed stone and up to 3,000 for dense base material. That is well over the payload rating of a half-ton pickup, which is why gravel is normally delivered rather than hauled by homeowners.
What size gravel should I use?
Number 57 stone, around 3/4 inch, is the general-purpose choice for drainage and patio bases. Crusher run, which includes fines, is used where you need the layer to lock together and compact. Pea gravel and river rock are decorative and stay loose underfoot, so they are poor choices for driving surfaces.