Gravel Calculator
Find out how much gravel to order for a driveway, path or drainage bed. Enter the area and depth and you get cubic yards, cubic feet and an estimated weight in US tons.
Short answer: One cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 US tons (about 2,800 lb), and covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep or 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep.
Fill in the fields above to see your result.
Use 4 inches for a new driveway base, 2–3 inches for a path or decorative top layer.
How this gravel calculator works
Every material here comes down to a volume. The area is measured in square feet, the depth is converted from inches to feet, and the result is converted from cubic feet into the unit you actually buy in — cubic yards, tons, or bags.
length (ft) × width (ft) = sq ftsq ft × depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feetcubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yardsBag counts on this page are rounded up to whole bags, because you cannot buy part of a bag. Rounding up also gives you a little spare material, which is what you want on a real job.
Gravel coverage by depth
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | Weight per 100 sq ft | 0.5 cu ft bags per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 0.86 US tons | 34 bags |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 1.30 US tons | 50 bags |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 1.73 US tons | 67 bags |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 2.59 US tons | 100 bags |
Assumes 1.4 US tons per cubic yard. Crushed stone varies from about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per yard depending on the rock and how wet it is.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 US tons, or roughly 2,800 lb. Crushed stone ranges from about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard depending on the rock type and moisture.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A new gravel driveway usually needs a 4 inch base layer, which is about 1.23 cubic yards per 100 sq ft, or roughly 1.7 tons. Many driveways use a coarser base course and a finer top course.
How deep should gravel be for a path?
Two to three inches is enough for a walking path on firm ground. If the ground is soft, excavate and put down a compacted base first, or the gravel will disappear into the soil.
How many bags of gravel equal a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic foot gravel to equal one cubic yard. Bags are convenient for small jobs but expensive at that scale.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
One ton covers about 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or about 58 sq ft at 4 inches deep, assuming 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Other calculators
These figures are estimates for planning only. Bag sizes, stone densities and paint coverage vary by product and supplier, so check the label or ask your yard before you order. Last updated 2026-09-30.