Gravel Calculator — How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate how many cubic yards, tons, or bags of gravel you need for your driveway, patio, or landscaping project. Enter your dimensions and material type for an accurate estimate.
Assumptions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- Crushed stone density ≈ 1.4 tons per cubic yard
- Pea gravel density ≈ 1.35 tons per cubic yard
- River rock density ≈ 1.5 tons per cubic yard
- Decomposed granite density ≈ 1.35 tons per cubic yard
- Standard small bag is 0.5 cubic feet
- Actual weight varies by moisture content and exact material composition
- Area is assumed rectangular — for irregular shapes, estimate the closest rectangle
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10x10 area?
A 10×10 foot area at 2 inches deep needs about 0.62 cubic yards (roughly 0.87 tons) of crushed stone. That's about 34 small bags (0.5 cu ft each).
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the material: crushed stone is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, pea gravel about 1.35 tons, and river rock about 1.5 tons. Moisture content can affect the weight.
How deep should gravel be?
Depth depends on the application: 1–2 inches for decorative ground cover and walkways, 2–4 inches for driveways and parking areas, and 4–6 inches for drainage beds or structural base layers.