TOOL_06 · Earth & Landscaping
Gravel calculator
Tons, cubic yards, and 50 lb retail bags. Calculated with accurate densities for pea gravel, crushed stone, and river rock.
① Area & material
Weight to order
0.0tons
US Short Tons (1 ton = 2,000 lbs) · 1.4 t/yd³
Volume (bulk)
0.0cu yd
60 cubic feet total volume
50 lb bags (retail)
0bags
If purchasing from big box retail home center
Coverage area
0sq ft
24 ft × 10 ft at 3″ depth
Material Cost Estimator
Estimated Total for Pea Gravel (3/8") (Bulk Delivered)
$192.00
3.2 units × $60.00 per ton
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How the math works
Volume in cubic feet: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12.
Cubic yards: Volume in cubic feet divided by 27, rounded up to the nearest quarter yard (standard quarry scoop).
Tons: Cubic yards multiplied by material density (1.35 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on stone type).
Pro tip: Compaction settling
Crushed stone and base gravel compact by approximately 15% to 20% after mechanical plate tamping or rolling. If you are building a load-bearing driveway base, add 15% to your order.
Frequently asked questions
- How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
- On average, one cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 US short tons (2,800 lbs). The exact weight depends on rock type and compaction: dense crushed stone #57 weighs about 1.45 tons/yd³, river rock weighs around 1.35 tons/yd³, and dense graded base (crusher run with stone dust) weighs up to 1.5 tons/yd³.
- How deep should gravel be for driveways and walkways?
- For pedestrian walkways and patio bases, 2 to 3 inches of gravel is ideal. For standard residential driveways, plan on 4 inches of surface gravel over a 4 to 6-inch compacted crushed stone base to support vehicle weight without rutting.
- Should I buy gravel in 50 lb bags or bulk delivery by the ton?
- For small patches under 1/2 ton (about 20 bags), buying 50 lb bags from Home Depot or Lowe's is convenient. For anything over 1 ton (40 bags), bulk delivery from a local landscape yard or quarry is typically 50% to 70% cheaper, even after paying a $50–$100 delivery dump fee.
- Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
- Yes. High-quality non-woven geotextile landscape fabric prevents the gravel from sinking into the subsoil over time, prevents mud from bubbling up, and stops stubborn weeds from taking root from beneath.