Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Gravel needed
7.60
tons
Raw cubic yards
4.94
Area covered
400
sq ft
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter area (sq ft).
- 2Enter depth (in).
- 3Enter gravel density (tons/cu yd).
- 4Enter waste/compaction factor (%).
- 5Read your gravel needed on the right — it updates as you type.
- 6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Gravel and crushed stone are typically sold and delivered by the ton, not by volume, so converting your driveway, path, or drainage bed's dimensions into tonnage requires a density conversion most people don't have memorized. Standard crushed gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard (about 2,800 lbs, since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet and gravel runs about 100-105 lbs per cubic foot depending on stone size and moisture), though denser materials like crushed limestone can run slightly heavier. This calculator takes your area and depth, computes cubic yards, multiplies by the density factor you specify (1.4 tons/cu yd is the default for general-purpose gravel), and adds a compaction/waste allowance since spread gravel settles and compacts once driven or walked on, meaning the loose volume you order needs to exceed the finished volume you want. Use this for driveways, French drains, base layers under pavers, or general fill.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Area: 400 sq ft
- Depth: 4 in
- Gravel density: 1.4 tons/cu yd
- Waste/compaction factor: 10 %
Results
- Gravel needed: 7.6
- Raw cubic yards: 4.94
- Area covered: 400
What each field means
Inputs
- Area (sq ft)
- The area used in the calculation, measured in sq ft. Starts at 400 sq ft so you have a working example on load.
- Depth (in)
- The depth used in the calculation, measured in in. Starts at 4 in so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–24 in.
- Gravel density (tons/cu yd)
- The gravel density used in the calculation, measured in tons/cu yd. Starts at 1.4 tons/cu yd so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–2 tons/cu yd.
- Waste/compaction factor (%)
- The waste/compaction factor used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 10 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–25 %.
Results
- Gravel needed
- tons
- Raw cubic yards
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Area covered
- sq ft
FAQ
How many tons of gravel do I need per cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical crushed gravel; pea gravel and river rock run slightly lighter (1.3-1.5), while dense crushed limestone base can run up to 1.5-1.6 tons per cubic yard.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A base layer of 4-6 inches compacted is standard for a residential gravel driveway, sometimes built in two lifts — a larger base stone layer topped with a finer surface layer.
Why add a waste/compaction factor?
Loose delivered gravel occupies more volume than it will once compacted and settled, and some material is always lost to spillage or getting pushed past the intended edge during spreading.
Is it cheaper to buy gravel by the ton or by the yard?
Ton pricing is standard for delivered bulk gravel; per-bag pricing at a hardware store is dramatically more expensive per unit volume and only makes sense for very small quantities under half a ton.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Gravel Tons Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gravel-tons-calculator
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gravel-tons-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gravel Tons Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Gravel Tons Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gravel-tons-calculator) (2026).