How Much Gravel Do I Need?
To figure how much gravel you need, measure the length and width of the area in feet and the depth in inches. Pick the stone above and you get cubic yards, tons and bags. A 10′ × 10′ area 3″ deep takes 0.93 cubic yards, or 1.25 tons of #57 crushed stone.
Cubic yards = L (ft) × W (ft) × D (ft) ÷ 27 Tons = cubic yards × tons per yard 10′ × 10′ × (3″ ÷ 12) = 25 cu ft 25 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.93 cu yd 0.93 cu yd × 1.35 = 1.25 tons of #57
Not every area is a rectangle. Use Circle for a round fire-pit pad and Ring for rock around a tree, with the trunk as the inner diameter. If you know the square footage, use By area and type it, for example 100. For an L-shaped path, split it in two and use Add another area.
The calculator adds no extra by default. If the ground is uneven, put a few percent in Extra for waste, under Extra, bag size & prices.
How Many Tons in a Yard of Gravel?
A cubic yard of most gravel and rock weighs about 1.35 tons, or 2,700 lb. You measure the job in yards, but many stone yards sell by the ton, so you need both. Pick the material in the dropdown and the calculator uses its weight.
| Material | Tons per cu yd | Range, tons |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone #57 (3/4″) | 1.35 | 1.30–1.50 |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 1.30–1.40 |
| River rock | 1.35 | 1.30–1.40 |
| Crusher run / road base, compacted | 1.90 | 1.76–2.00 |
| Limestone screenings | 1.50 | 1.47–1.53 |
| Decomposed granite | about 1.40 | 1.35–1.55 |
| Sand | 1.40 | 1.35–1.49 |
Short tons of 2,000 lb. Density presets from Vulcan Materials and Heidelberg Materials US, checked against Stoneco, Graniterock and Illinois DOT. No producer publishes a figure for decomposed granite, so that one is our estimate. Weight sources
Crusher run is listed compacted, the way producers give it for base work. Enter the finished depth after you compact it.
Stone also varies by quarry. Trap rock runs 5% to 15% heavier than limestone of the same size. On a big order, ask your yard what a yard of their stone weighs. We left lava rock out because we couldn’t find a reliable weight for it.
Pea Gravel, Crushed Stone and River Rock
Crushed stone #57 is angular stone about 3/4″ across. The sharp edges lock together and water drains through it. It’s a common pick for a driveway top layer, a shed pad or a French drain.
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone. It’s easy to rake and comfortable underfoot, so you see it on paths, patios and play areas. Because it rolls, it stays put best on flat ground with edging.
River rock is bigger, smooth stone. It’s the usual landscape rock: beds, borders and dry creek beds. For other decorative rock, pick the closest size here and check the weight with your yard.
Crusher run, also called road base, is crushed stone mixed with stone dust. It packs hard, which is why it goes under driveways, patios and pavers. Names vary by region, so describe the job when you call. Limestone screenings and decomposed granite are fine materials that pack into a firm path.
Sand is on this page too, since yards sell it by the ton. Paver bedding sand goes down 1″ deep.
Gravel Driveway Calculator
A gravel driveway is usually two layers: a compacted base of crusher run and a top layer of clean stone such as #57. There’s no national standard for the depths. Soft or wet ground needs more base.
| Layer | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Gravel driveway base, crusher run | 4″ to 8″ |
| Gravel driveway top layer, #57 | 2″ to 3″ |
| Gravel path | 2″ to 4″ |
| Paver patio or walkway base | 4″ to 8″ |
| Paver driveway base | 10″ to 14″, by soil |
| Paver bedding sand | 1″ |
Gravel driveway and path depths are common contractor practice, not a standard. Paver depths come from the Belgard and Unilock technical guides (Belgard 4″ to 6″ under patios, Unilock 6″ to 8″ under patios and 10″ to 14″ under driveways).
Example: a 12′ × 50′ driveway is 600 sq ft. A 6″ base of crusher run is 11.11 cubic yards, about 21.1 tons. A 3″ top layer of #57 is 5.56 cubic yards, about 7.5 tons.
The calculator uses one material at a time, so run the layers separately. Pick Crusher run / road base, enter the base depth and note the tons. Then switch the dropdown to #57 and enter the top depth. For a turnaround or a parking pad, add it with Add another area.
How Much Does Gravel Cost per Yard or Ton?
Gravel runs about $10 to $50 a ton, with $30 typical, or $15 to $75 a cubic yard, with $40 typical (HomeGuide, Dec 2025). Delivery is extra, so ask the yard.
| Material | Price per ton |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | $28–$45 |
| Crushed limestone | $30–$38 |
| Crusher run | $24–$34 |
| Road base | $18–$30 |
| River rock | $33–$49 |
| Decomposed granite | $25–$50 |
| Sand | $15–$55 |
National ranges from HomeGuide, Dec 2025 (sand: Jun 2026). Material only, before delivery. Price sources
The calculator starts at $30 a ton. If your yard quotes by the cubic yard, switch the price to /cu yd. The default there is the same money: $30 × 1.35 tons = $40.50 a yard of #57.
Bags cost far more per yard. A 50-lb bag of sand runs $4 to $6. At $5, the 54 bags in a cubic yard come to $270, while bulk sand at $35 a ton is about $49 a yard. Bags make sense for a few pavers or a small repair, not a patio base.
Prices vary by region and change often. Type your local price and the cost updates.
How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover?
A ton of #57, pea gravel or river rock is about 20 cubic feet. Spread 3″ deep, it covers about 80 sq ft. Crusher run is heavier, so a ton is only about 14.2 cubic feet and covers less.
| Depth | 1 ton of gravel | 1 ton of crusher run | 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2″ | 120 sq ft | 85 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3″ | 80 sq ft | 57 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4″ | 60 sq ft | 43 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6″ | 40 sq ft | 28 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
Figured from the weights above: gravel at 1.35 tons per cubic yard, crusher run at 1.90, compacted depth. A cubic yard covers the same area whatever the stone.
The result card shows this figure for your material and depth, just under the table of tons and bags.
Gravel Questions
How much gravel will 1 ton cover?
About 80 sq ft at 3″ deep, or 120 sq ft at 2″, for #57, pea gravel or river rock. Compacted crusher run covers less, about 43 sq ft at 4″.
How much will 2 yards of gravel cover?
324 sq ft at 2″ deep, or 216 sq ft at 3″. Two cubic yards are 54 cubic feet, and 3″ is a quarter of a foot, so 54 ÷ 0.25 = 216.
Is a yard of gravel equal to a ton?
No. A yard is volume and a ton is weight. A cubic yard of most gravel weighs about 1.35 tons (2,700 lb). Compacted crusher run is closer to 1.9 tons.
How many tons of 3/4″ gravel are in a yard?
About 1.35 tons. 3/4″ crushed stone is usually sold as #57, and depending on the quarry it runs 1.30 to 1.50 tons a yard.
How many 50lb bags of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 54. Bagged pea gravel, river rock, paver base and sand come in 0.5 cu ft bags, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Sand and paver base bags weigh 50 lb.
Is 2 inches of gravel enough?
For a path, or as a top layer over a compacted base, 2″ to 3″ is common practice. It’s not enough as a driveway base, which usually gets 4″ to 8″ of crusher run.