Gravel is quoted by the ton in some regions and by the cubic yard in others, which makes ordering confusing. This calculator gives you both units at once, plus a delivered cost estimate, so you can compare quotes on equal footing.
Building a gravel driveway? See the Driveway Cost Calculator for full project pricing including base prep and grading.
About pricing on this page
This calculator is intentionally price-light. Absolute dollar figures are deliberately omitted because they vary too widely by region, brand, and installer to be useful as planning estimates. The relative-comparison tables below show how options stack up against each other — which is the durable, actionable information. For a real budget, get two or three written quotes from local suppliers and contractors after they have seen the job.
Gravel Quantity Calculator
Enter your area and depth. Results give cubic yards, tons, and estimated delivered cost.
The Gravel Volume Formula
Gravel quantity is a volume calculation followed by a weight conversion. The second step is the one most people skip, and it is why quotes in tons and quotes in yards look so different.
Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
Tons = Cubic Yards × Density (typically 1.35)
Worked example: A 40 × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep. 40 × 12 = 480 sq ft. 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft. 480 × 0.333 = 160 cubic feet. 160 ÷ 27 = 5.93 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per yard that is 8.0 tons. Adding 10% for compaction, order 8.8 tons — round to 9 tons.
Gravel Coverage — Square Feet per Ton
Use this table to work backward from a delivery quote. If a supplier quotes you 10 tons, this tells you how much ground it will actually cover at your chosen depth.
| Depth | Sq Ft per Ton | Sq Ft per Cu Yd | Tons per 100 Sq Ft | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 240 | 324 | 0.42 | Light top dressing |
| 2 in | 120 | 162 | 0.83 | Driveway refresh, borders |
| 3 in | 80 | 108 | 1.25 | Walkways, paver base |
| 4 in | 60 | 81 | 1.67 | Driveway surface layer |
| 6 in | 40 | 54 | 2.50 | Full driveway build |
| 8 in | 30 | 40 | 3.33 | Soft soil, truck traffic |
| 12 in | 20 | 27 | 5.00 | Very soft subgrade |
Coverage figures assume 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Lighter decorative stone covers 5–8% more area per ton; dense crusher run covers 5% less.
Gravel Types, Sizes and What Each Is For
Stone size numbers follow a standard grading system. Picking the wrong grade is the most common reason a gravel driveway fails — large single-size stone will not compact, and fine screenings wash away.
| Type / Grade | Stone Size | Tons/Cu Yd | Price/Ton | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 / #3 Crushed Stone | 1–2.5 in | 1.40 | Reference only | Driveway sub-base, drainage |
| #57 Crushed Stone | 3/4–1 in | 1.35 | Reference only | Driveway surface, French drains |
| #411 / Crusher Run | 3/4 in + fines | 1.42 | Reference only | Compactable base, best binding |
| #8 / #9 Chips | 3/8–1/2 in | 1.35 | Reference only | Paver setting bed, top dressing |
| Pea Gravel | 1/4–3/8 in | 1.28 | Reference only | Patios, dog runs, playgrounds |
| River Rock | 1–3 in | 1.30 | Reference only | Decorative beds, dry creek |
| Stone Dust / Screenings | Under 1/4 in | 1.45 | Reference only | Paver joints, leveling only |
Crusher run and #411 contain stone dust that locks the aggregate together when compacted, making them the right choice for any driving surface. Single-size clean stone like #57 drains better but stays loose underfoot and migrates over time.
How to Layer a Gravel Driveway
A driveway that lasts is built in layers, each with a different stone size. This is why a single-number gravel order often produces disappointing results.
| Layer | Depth | Material | Tons per 100 Sq Ft | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geotextile fabric | — | Woven separation fabric | — | Stops stone sinking into soil |
| Sub-base | 4 in | #2 or #3 crushed stone | 1.7 | Load spreading, drainage |
| Base | 3 in | #411 / crusher run | 1.3 | Compacted binding layer |
| Surface | 2 in | #57 or #8 clean stone | 0.85 | Driving surface, appearance |
| Total | 9 in | — | 3.85 | Full residential build |
Compact each layer with a plate compactor or roller before adding the next. Skipping compaction means the driveway settles unevenly in the first rainy season and develops ruts and potholes.
Common Gravel Ordering Mistakes
Confusing Tons With Cubic Yards
These are not interchangeable, and the gap is significant. Ten cubic yards is about 13.5 tons. If you order 10 tons expecting 10 yards of coverage, you will be roughly 26% short of the volume you planned for. Always confirm which unit a quote uses before comparing suppliers, because a $50 per ton price and a $50 per yard price are very different deals.
Ordering No Extra for Compaction
Gravel is delivered loose and loses 10–20% of its volume when compacted. A 4-inch loose spread compacts down to roughly 3.4 inches. If your design calls for 4 inches of finished compacted depth, you need to order for about 4.5–4.8 inches of loose material. Ordering exact design volume leaves you visibly short after the first pass with a compactor.
Using Clean Stone Where Crusher Run Belongs
Single-size clean stone such as #57 has no fines to bind it, so it never locks together. On a driveway it shifts under tires, migrates to the edges, and forms ruts within months. Clean stone belongs in drainage applications where you want water to move freely. Any surface that carries traffic needs a graded material with fines, such as crusher run or #411.
Skipping the Geotextile Fabric
Without a separation fabric, gravel pumps down into soft subgrade every time a vehicle passes over wet ground. Homeowners then add more gravel each year, never understanding where it went. Geotextile costs $0.20–$0.50 per square foot and typically doubles the service life of the driveway. It is the cheapest meaningful upgrade available on a gravel job.
About these price ranges
Pricing varies widely by region, season, project size, and site conditions. Treat every figure on this page as a planning estimate for budgeting only — not as a quote. Coastal metro markets commonly run 20–40% above national ranges while rural inland markets can fall 10–20% below. Always collect at least three written quotes from local contractors before committing to a budget.
Unsourced estimates: All dollar figures on this page. The relative-comparison tables above are sourced from general trade conventions and the labour-plus-material methodology used in industry references, not from a specific published price index. These are informed planning figures rather than data drawn from a published price index, and they carry a correspondingly wider margin of error.