How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

Most crushed stone and gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, though dense or wet material can run higher.

How deep should gravel be?

Driveways typically need 4–6 inches over a compacted base; walkways and shed pads are fine at 3–4 inches.

Gravel Calculator

Calculate cubic yards and tons of gravel, stone or base for any area.

100% free to useNo sign-up requiredImperial & metric units

How much gravel do I need?

To find how much gravel you need, multiply length by width by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by about 1.4 to get tons. A 40 ft by 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 5.9 cubic yards, or roughly 8 tons of crushed stone.

Inputs

Lengthft

Widthft

Depthin

Material

Waste allowanceApplied to material quantities

Results

Cubic Yards

5.93 yd³

Order by yard or ton

Tons

8.3 tons

Cubic Feet

160 ft³

Estimates update instantly as you type. Confirm against local code before ordering materials.

Aggregate is sold two different ways, by the ton and by the cubic yard, and mixing up the two throws off both your order and your budget. This free gravel calculator returns volume in cubic yards and approximate tonnage for driveways, base, drainage, and fill, using the density of the material you actually plan to use.

Depth is the variable people underestimate. A driveway that looks fine on paper at two inches will rut and wash out; most need four to six inches over a compacted base. Set the right depth, choose your material, and use the tonnage figure to order from suppliers that sell by weight.

How gravel quantity is calculated

Length, width and depth give the volume in cubic feet, converted to cubic yards. Weight in tons comes from multiplying volume by the density of the chosen aggregate.

Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27

Aggregate weight reference

Approximate tons per cubic yard by material.

Material	Tons per yd³	Common use
Pea gravel	1.35	Walkways, drainage
Crushed stone	1.40	Driveways, base
Sand	1.45	Bedding, fill
Road base	1.50	Compacted sub-base

Keep driveway depth at 4 inches or more and account for 10 to 20 percent compaction.

How to use it

1Enter the length and width of the area in feet.
2Enter the depth of gravel in inches.
3Read the cubic yards and approximate tonnage instantly.
4Order by the ton or yard depending on your supplier.

Key terms explained

Cubic yard: A volume measure equal to 27 cubic feet, the way bulk aggregate is often sold and hauled.
Density: The weight per unit volume of a material. Most crushed stone runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Compaction: The reduction in loose volume when aggregate is rolled and tamped, often 10 to 20 percent.
Base course: The compacted layer of aggregate beneath a driveway, slab, or paver surface.

Worked examples

Gravel driveway

A 40 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 in deep needs about 5.9 cubic yards, or roughly 8 tons of crushed stone.

Shed base

A 12 ft × 12 ft pad at 4 in works out to about 1.8 cubic yards of base gravel.

Pro tips from the field

1Order by the ton when your supplier prices that way; the tonnage figure here makes the conversion for you.
2Account for compaction; loose delivered volume shrinks once the material is rolled in.
3Keep driveway base at four inches or more, and crown the surface so water sheds.
4Use angular crushed stone for driveways and base; rounded pea gravel migrates underfoot.

Common mistakes

Confusing cubic yards with tons, density varies by material.
Spreading base too thin, most driveways want 4 inches or more.
Forgetting compaction, which reduces loose volume by 10 to 20 percent.

Where it gets used

Driveways

Size a new gravel driveway or a base course under asphalt or concrete.

Drainage and fill

Estimate stone for French drains, trenches, and backfill.

Paver and shed bases

Calculate base aggregate for patios, walkways, and shed pads.

Frequently asked questions

Free Gravel Calculator for Tons & Cubic Yards

Aggregate is priced by the ton or the cubic yard, and getting the conversion wrong throws off both your order and your budget. This free gravel calculator returns volume in cubic yards and approximate tonnage for driveways, base, drainage and fill.

Set the depth that suits the job, then use the tonnage figure to order from suppliers that sell by weight, remembering that compaction reduces loose volume once the material is rolled in.