How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate the exact amount of gravel for your driveway, patio, walkway, or landscaping project. Get results in cubic yards and tons with cost estimates.
Quick Answer
A standard 12×40 ft single-car driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 5.93 cubic yards of gravel (~8 tons), costing roughly $178–$445. A 10×10 ft patio base at 3 inches needs about 0.93 cubic yards (~1.25 tons).
Enter your dimensions above to calculate gravel needed.
💡 1 cubic yard of gravel covers approximately 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep
How to Calculate Gravel Needed
Formula
Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards
Multiply your area's length by width to get square footage. Multiply by depth in inches, then divide by 324 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic yard ÷ 12) to convert to cubic yards.
Example
For a 20 ft × 15 ft driveway with 3 inches of gravel: 20 × 15 × 3 ÷ 324 = 2.78 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's about 3.75 tons.
Tips & Best Practices
- •Order 5–10% extra to account for settling and uneven ground.
- •Compact gravel reduces volume by about 15–20% — plan accordingly.
- •For driveways, 4–6 inches of gravel is recommended for adequate support.
- •Pea gravel and crushed stone have slightly different densities — this calculator uses an average.
Quick Reference
1 cubic yard of gravel covers approximately 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep
Gravel Coverage per Cubic Yard
One cubic yard of gravel covers approximately 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, or about 54 square feet at 6 inches deep.
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. The table below shows how many square feet one cubic yard covers at common depths — use this as a quick reference when estimating gravel needed in cubic yards.
| Depth | Coverage per Cubic Yard | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~324 sq ft | Decorative topdress |
| 2 inches | ~162 sq ft | Walkways & light paths |
| 3 inches | ~100 sq ft | Landscaping & patios |
| 4 inches | ~81 sq ft | Driveway base layer |
| 6 inches | ~54 sq ft | Heavy-traffic driveways |
These numbers assume level ground. For uneven terrain, add 10–15% extra gravel to fill low spots.
Coverage chart
1 Cubic Yard of Gravel — Coverage by Depth
Assumes level ground. Add 10% for uneven terrain or settling.
Gravel Calculator for Driveways
A typical single-car gravel driveway (12×40 ft) needs about 5.9 cubic yards of gravel — roughly 8 tons — costing $178–$445 for material.
Driveways are the most common gravel project — and the one where getting the amount right matters most. Too little gravel leads to ruts and mud; too much wastes money.
How Deep Should Driveway Gravel Be?
A gravel driveway should be 4–6 inches deep — a 3–4 inch base layer of crushed stone topped with 2 inches of finer gravel.
Here's how that breaks down:
- •Base layer (3–4 inches): Larger crushed stone (#3 or #57) for drainage and stability
- •Top layer (2 inches): Finer gravel (pea gravel or #8 crushed stone) for a smooth driving surface
Cross-section diagram
Standard Gravel Driveway — Layer Construction
Typical Driveway Gravel Amounts
| Driveway Size | Cubic Yards (4" depth) | Tons (approx.) | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car (12×20 ft) | 2.96 yd³ | ~4 tons | $89–$222 |
| Single-car (12×40 ft) | 5.93 yd³ | ~8 tons | $178–$445 |
| Double-wide (20×40 ft) | 9.88 yd³ | ~13.3 tons | $296–$741 |
| Long drive (12×100 ft) | 14.81 yd³ | ~20 tons | $444–$1,111 |
Planning a gravel driveway? Read our full guide: How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway? →
Gravel Types: Which to Use for Your Project
A cubic yard of gravel weighs between 2,400 and 2,900 pounds (1.2–1.45 tons), depending on the type and moisture content.
Not all gravel is the same. The right type depends on whether you're building a driveway base, filling a French drain, or laying a patio surface. Here are the most common options:
Pea Gravel
Small, rounded stones (⅜" diameter). Great for walkways, patios, and decorative fill. ~1.35 tons per cubic yard. $30–$55/yd³.
Crushed Stone (#57)
Angular, ¾" stones that interlock when compacted. The go-to choice for driveway base layers and drainage. ~1.4 tons per cubic yard. $35–$65/yd³.
Crushed Limestone
Compacts tightly and works well as a sub-base under pavers or concrete. ~1.5 tons per cubic yard. $35–$75/yd³.
River Rock
Smooth, rounded stones (1–3"). Used for landscaping beds, dry creek beds, and decorative borders. ~1.35 tons per cubic yard. $40–$80/yd³.
Gravel Base (#3 Stone)
Large, 1–2" angular crushed stone. Used as the bottom layer for driveways and as backfill. ~1.45 tons per cubic yard. $30–$50/yd³.
All types can be estimated with the calculator above — just enter your area and depth. For paver base calculations, try our paver calculator.
Gravel for Driveways, Patios, and Landscaping
Each project type calls for different gravel depths and types. Use this quick guide to dial in the right settings in the calculator.
Driveways
Use 4–6 inches of gravel. Start with a compacted base of #3 or #57 crushed stone, then finish with 2 inches of finer gravel. A typical single-car driveway (12×40 ft) needs about 6 cubic yards.
Private Roads & Long Drives
Gravel roads need 6–12 inches of depth with proper drainage ditches and a crowned surface. A 500 ft road at 12 ft wide takes about 111 cubic yards. Gravel road calculator & guide →
Patios & Seating Areas
Pea gravel patios need 2–3 inches of depth with landscape edging to contain it. A 10×12 ft patio takes about 1 cubic yard at 3 inches.
Paver & Concrete Base
Pavers and concrete slabs need a 4-inch compacted gravel base for proper drainage. Use crushed stone or limestone that packs tightly. Gravel base calculator & guide → Or estimate your full paver project with our paver calculator. See our paver patio cost and planning guide for a full breakdown.
French Drains & Drainage
French drains use 6+ inches of #57 crushed stone around the drain pipe. Calculate the trench volume: length × width × depth. Use the French drain calculator for gravel, fabric & pipe quantities →
Retaining Walls & Slopes
Retaining walls require gravel backfill for drainage — typically 12 inches behind the wall. Estimate retaining wall materials →
Landscaping & Garden Borders
Decorative gravel for borders and beds typically needs 2–3 inches. River rock and pea gravel are the most popular choices for a clean look. A leveling rake makes spreading and leveling much faster than a standard garden rake, especially on larger areas.
Ordering in bulk?
For pea gravel and decorative stone, bulk is almost always cheaper once you're past a few cubic yards. Check local pricing and delivery options at AggregateMarkets.
Prices and availability vary by location. Use code MEADOWLARK for 5% off your first bulk order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?+
Use the formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards. A 12×40 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs 5.93 cubic yards. A 10×10 ft patio base at 3 inches needs 0.93 cubic yards. For tons, multiply cubic yards by 1.35. Always add 5–10% extra for settling.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?+
A cubic yard of gravel typically weighs between 2,400–2,900 lbs (1.2–1.45 tons), depending on the type. Pea gravel averages about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
How much does gravel cost?+
Gravel typically costs $30–$75 per cubic yard, depending on type and location. Pea gravel runs $30–$55/yd³, while crushed stone is $35–$75/yd³. Delivery fees usually add $50–$150.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?+
For a driveway, plan for 4–6 inches of gravel total. A common approach is a 4-inch base layer of larger crushed stone topped with 2 inches of finer gravel.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?+
One ton of gravel covers approximately 74 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or about 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep. Coverage varies by gravel size and type.