Gravel Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards of gravel or crushed stone you need for a driveway, path, or landscaping project. Get volume in cubic yards and estimated weight in tons.
Formulas, assumptions, and rounding are documented in our calculator methodology.
Depth
Gravel Type
Cubic Yards Needed
2.47
cubic yards at 4″ depth
Volume and Weight
- Cubic Feet
- 66.67 cu ft
- Cubic Yards
- 2.47 cu yd
- Pea Gravel Weight
- 3.70 tons
Gravel Types and Applications
Pea gravel (3/8 in): smooth, rounded; ideal for paths and decorative borders. Crushed stone (#57 or #67): angular, compacts well; used for driveways, drainage, and road base. River rock (1–3 in): decorative, smooth; used in water features and garden beds. Limestone screenings: fine; used as base layer. Angular crushed stone is preferred for driveways because the pieces interlock and compact; rounded pea gravel shifts under traffic.
Gravel vs. Concrete for Driveways
Gravel driveways cost $1–$3/sq ft installed vs. $6–$12 for concrete. Gravel is easier to repair but requires periodic regrading; it's not suited for steep slopes and may track into the house. Concrete is permanent and low-maintenance but cracks in freeze-thaw cycles. In cold climates, gravel drains better and avoids the cracking issues that affect concrete over time.
Installation Tips
Remove vegetation, compact soil, and consider landscape fabric before adding gravel. Build up in 2–4 inch layers and compact each layer with a plate compactor for driveways. Add 20–25% to your order to account for compaction losses. For drainage use angular 3/4-inch crushed stone without fines — not pea gravel — for maximum void space and water flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Formula: (length × width × depth in inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. Example: a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 inches deep: (20 × 10 × 4) ÷ 324 = 2.47 cubic yards.
- Pea gravel: ~1.4–1.5 tons/yd³. Crushed stone: ~1.35–1.4 tons/yd³. River rock: ~1.35 tons/yd³. Limestone: ~1.4–1.5 tons/yd³. Exact weight varies with moisture content.
- New driveway: 4–6 inches of compacted crushed stone base plus 2–4 inches of surface gravel for 6–10 inches total. Decorative path: 2–3 inches. Drainage application: 4–6 inches minimum.
- A typical dump truck delivers 10–14 tons of gravel (~7–10 cubic yards). A half-ton pickup can safely carry about 0.5 cubic yards (~0.7 tons). Check payload capacity before hauling.