Gravel Calculator
Gravel Calculator - How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate the exact amount of gravel needed for your driveway, pathway, or landscaping project. This professional gravel calculator estimates cubic yards, tons, and costs for all types of gravel and crushed stone.
Quick Gravel Conversions
- Cubic Yards to Tons: 1 cubic yard = 1.3-1.7 tons (varies by gravel type)
- Pea Gravel: 1 cubic yard = 1.3 tons | 1 ton covers ~100 sq ft at 3"
- Crushed Stone: 1 cubic yard = 1.5 tons | 1 ton covers ~80 sq ft at 3"
- River Rock: 1 cubic yard = 1.2 tons | 1 ton covers ~110 sq ft at 3"
How Much Gravel Do I Need? Common Scenarios:
- Standard driveway (12×50 ft): 22 cubic yards or 33 tons of crushed stone
- Walkway (4×50 ft): 2.5 cubic yards or 3.3 tons of pea gravel
- Patio base (16×16 ft): 3.2 cubic yards or 5 tons of crusher run
- French drain (100 ft): 4.6 cubic yards or 5.5 tons of drainage gravel
How to Calculate Gravel Requirements:
- Measure your area: length × width of driveway or path
- Determine depth needed: based on traffic and base requirements
- Choose gravel type: affects weight, drainage, and appearance
- Add compaction factor: 10-15% extra for settling
Recommended Gravel Depths:
- Driveway base: 4-6 inches (heavy traffic, cars)
- Walkways: 2-3 inches (foot traffic only)
- Decorative areas: 2-3 inches (landscaping, aesthetics)
- Drainage applications: 6-12 inches (french drains, foundation)
- Parking areas: 6-8 inches (heavy vehicles, commercial)
Gravel Types & Weight Calculator Guide:
- Pea gravel (3/8"): decorative, walkways, drainage - 1.3 tons/yard - $30-45/ton
- Crushed stone (3/4"): driveways, base material - 1.5 tons/yard - $25-35/ton
- River rock (1-3"): landscaping, drainage - 1.2 tons/yard - $35-55/ton
- Decomposed granite: paths, patio base - 1.4 tons/yard - $40-50/ton
- Crusher run: driveway base, compacts well - 1.6 tons/yard - $20-30/ton
- Marble chips: decorative, bright white - 1.4 tons/yard - $50-80/ton
- 3/4 minus gravel: compact base, roads - 1.6 tons/yard - $22-32/ton
- Drain rock: french drains, septic - 1.2 tons/yard - $35-45/ton
Driveway Gravel Calculator Guide:
- Single car driveway (10×20 ft): 7.4 cubic yards or 11 tons
- Double car driveway (20×20 ft): 14.8 cubic yards or 22 tons
- Long driveway (12×100 ft): 44 cubic yards or 66 tons
- Circular driveway (40 ft diameter): 47 cubic yards or 70 tons
- Calculate depth: 4-6 inches recommended for car traffic
Gravel Coverage Rates:
- 1 cubic yard covers: 108 sq ft at 3" deep
- 1 cubic yard covers: 81 sq ft at 4" deep
- 1 cubic yard covers: 54 sq ft at 6" deep
- 1 ton covers: 70-100 sq ft depending on gravel type
Gravel Installation Layers:
- Base layer: crushed stone or crusher run (3-4")
- Middle layer: smaller crushed stone (1-2")
- Top layer: finished gravel or decorative stone (1-2")
- Compaction: between each layer for stability
Pricing Guide (per ton delivered):
- Basic crushed stone: $25-35 per ton
- Pea gravel: $30-45 per ton
- River rock: $35-55 per ton
- Decorative stone: $40-80 per ton
- Delivery fee: $50-150 depending on distance
Driveway Construction Tips:
- Excavate properly: remove existing material to proper depth
- Install geotextile: fabric prevents mixing with soil
- Compact each layer: use plate compactor or roller
- Crown the surface: 2% slope for drainage
- Edge restraints: prevent gravel spreading
Maintenance Requirements:
- Regular raking: redistribute gravel monthly
- Annual top-up: add 1/2" fresh gravel yearly
- Weed control: use herbicide or landscape fabric
- Pothole repair: fill and compact as needed
Environmental Considerations:
- Drainage benefits: reduces runoff and erosion
- Permeable surface: allows water infiltration
- Local sourcing: reduces transportation costs and impact
- Recyclable material: can be reused in other projects
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel do I need for a 20x40 foot driveway?
For a 20×40 ft driveway (800 sq ft) at 4" deep: you need about 10 cubic yards or 15 tons of gravel. This includes 10% extra for compaction and waste. Use our gravel calculator above for exact measurements.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons of gravel?
Cubic yards to tons conversion depends on gravel type: Crushed stone = 1.5 tons/yard, Pea gravel = 1.3 tons/yard, River rock = 1.2 tons/yard, Crusher run = 1.6 tons/yard. Multiply cubic yards by the conversion factor for your gravel type.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
1 ton of gravel covers: 70-100 sq ft at 3" deep (varies by type). Crushed stone covers ~80 sq ft, pea gravel covers ~100 sq ft, river rock covers ~110 sq ft. Use deeper coverage for driveways (4-6").
What's the best gravel calculator for driveways?
Our gravel calculator above handles all driveway types. Enter length, width, depth (4-6" recommended), select gravel type, and get exact cubic yards, tons, and costs. Includes delivery estimates and installation tips.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
4-6 inches for residential driveways with car traffic. Use 6-8 inches for heavy vehicles or commercial use. Include base layer of crusher run plus finish layer of decorative gravel.
How much gravel do I need calculator - pea gravel vs crushed stone?
Pea gravel: 1.3 tons/cubic yard, decorative/walkways. Crushed stone: 1.5 tons/cubic yard, driveways/base. For same area, crushed stone needs 15% more weight but provides better compaction and stability.
Can I install gravel directly on grass?
No! Excavate 4-6 inches deep, remove all organic material, and install landscape fabric. Gravel on grass will sink and create mud problems. Proper base preparation is essential.
How often do I need to add more gravel?
Add 1/2-1 inch of fresh gravel annually. High-traffic areas may need more frequent top-ups. Proper base preparation reduces maintenance needs. Budget $200-500 annually for typical driveway.
Gravel cost calculator - what affects pricing?
Factors: Gravel type ($20-80/ton), delivery distance ($50-150), quantity discounts, local availability, seasonal demand. Our calculator includes current regional pricing estimates.
How many tons of gravel for driveway - standard sizes?
Single car (10×20 ft): 11 tons, Double car (20×20 ft): 22 tons, Long driveway (12×100 ft): 66 tons. These assume 4" depth with 10% compaction factor included.