How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

For a typical 12x50 foot driveway with 4-inch depth, you'll need about 7.4 cubic yards or 10-11 tons of gravel. Use our calculator by entering your driveway dimensions and desired depth (4-6 inches recommended for driveways) to get an exact estimate.

How do I convert cubic feet of gravel to tons?

Divide cubic feet by 21 to get approximate tons for most gravel types. The exact conversion depends on gravel density: crushed stone weighs about 2,700 lbs/cubic yard (1.35 tons), while pea gravel weighs about 2,600 lbs/cubic yard (1.3 tons).

What depth of gravel should I use for a walkway?

For walkways and garden paths, 2-3 inches of gravel is typically sufficient. For driveways with vehicle traffic, use 4-6 inches. For French drains and drainage applications, use 6-12 inches of clean gravel.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel cost?

Gravel costs $15-75 per cubic yard depending on type and location. Pea gravel averages $30-35/yard, crushed stone $35-50/yard, and decorative river rock $50-75/yard. Delivery fees ($50-150) apply for bulk orders. Buying in bulk (5+ yards) often includes delivery.

Should I add extra gravel for settling?

Yes, add 5-10% extra gravel to account for settling, compaction, and uneven surfaces. For areas with heavy vehicle traffic, add 10-15% extra. Our calculator provides the base amount - we recommend ordering slightly more to ensure complete coverage.

What's the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?

Pea gravel has smooth, rounded stones (3/8 inch) ideal for walkways and decorative use. Crushed stone has angular edges that interlock and compact better, making it ideal for driveways and base material. Crushed stone is slightly heavier per cubic yard.

Construction

Gravel Calculator

Calculate exactly how much gravel you need for driveways, walkways, patios, and landscaping. Get instant volume, weight, and cost estimates.

100% FreeInstant ResultsCost Estimator

Gravel Calculator

Enter your project dimensions to calculate volume, weight, and cost

Enter to calculate, Esc to clear

Area Selection

Length

Width

Area Unit

Depth of Gravel

Depth Unit

Gravel Type

Density: 100 lb/ft³ (1600 kg/m³)

Price per Unit (Optional)

Local prices: $30-75/yard typical

Price Unit

Try These Common Projects

Click on any example to automatically fill the calculator with typical values

Standard Driveway

50×12 ft driveway with crushed stone base

📐 50×12 ft

📏 4" deep • $45/yard

🪨 Crushed Stone (#57)

Garden Walkway

30×4 ft path with decorative pea gravel

📐 30×4 ft

📏 2" deep • $35/yard

🪨 Pea Gravel

Fire Pit Area

8 ft radius circle with river rock

⭕ 8 ft radius

📏 3" deep • $55/yard

🪨 River Rock

Patio Base

20×20 ft patio with decomposed granite

📐 20×20 ft

📏 4" deep • $40/yard

🪨 Decomposed Granite

How to Use the Gravel Calculator

Step-by-step guide:

Select the area shape (total area, rectangle, circle)
Enter dimensions (length/width/radius or total area)
Set gravel depth
Choose gravel type (affects density)
(Optional) Enter price to calculate cost
Click "Calculate"

Pro Tip: Always add 5-10% extra for spillage and uneven surfaces.

Gravel Calculation Basics

Key Formulas:

Volume: Area × Depth
Weight: Volume × Density
Cost: Volume × Price (or Weight × Price per ton)

Unit Conversion:
3 inches = 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet
10 cm = 10 ÷ 100 = 0.1 meters

Recommended Gravel Depths for Projects

Project Type	Recommended Depth	Notes
Driveway	4–6 inches	Heavy traffic, use crushed stone
Garden Path	2–3 inches	Light traffic, pea gravel works well
French Drain	6–12 inches	Drainage layer, use clean gravel
Landscaping Bed	2–4 inches	Decorative, various types suitable

Gravel Density & Types

Different gravel sizes and shapes have unique densities that affect weight calculations.

Crushed Stone (#57)

Angular 3/4" stones, ideal for driveways and base material

Density: 100 lb/ft³ (1600 kg/m³)

Pea Gravel

Smooth 3/8" rounded stones, perfect for walkways and patios

Density: 96 lb/ft³ (1540 kg/m³)

River Rock

Decorative smooth stones 1-3", great for landscaping beds

Density: 100 lb/ft³ (1600 kg/m³)

Crushed Gravel (#411)

Fine crusite mix, excellent for compacting and base layers

Density: 105 lb/ft³ (1680 kg/m³)

Decomposed Granite

Natural tan/gold color, popular for pathways in the Southwest

Density: 100 lb/ft³ (1600 kg/m³)

Impact: A cubic foot of crushed stone weighs more than the same volume of pea gravel due to better packing.

Cost Factors for Gravel

Variables affecting cost:

Gravel type: Premium vs. standard materials
Delivery distance: Transportation costs for bulk orders
Local supply: Regional availability and demand
Quantity: Bulk discounts for larger orders
Season: Weather affects supply and demand

Money-saving tip: Compare prices per cubic yard vs. per ton, and consider delivery minimums.

Engineering Reference

For roadway material practice and aggregate guidance, review federal geotechnical engineering resources.

FHWA Geotechnical Engineering USDA NRCS: Soil Survey Technical Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

For a typical single-car driveway (10×20 ft) with 4 inches of gravel depth, you'll need approximately 2.5 cubic yards or about 3.5 tons. For a two-car driveway (20×20 ft), double those amounts. Always add 5-10% extra for compaction and spillage.

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