Gravel Calculator
Find how much gravel you need in cubic yards and tons.
You need
1.48 cubic yards
- US tons
- 2.10 tons
- Cubic feet
- 40.0 ft³
- Area covered
- 120.0 sq ft
You need about 1.48 cubic yards of dry gravel, which weighs about 2.1 US tons, to cover 120 sq ft at 4 in deep.
Calculation breakdown
| Step | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 10 × 12 | 120.00 sq ft |
| Depth in feet | 4 in ÷ 12 | 0.3333 ft |
| Volume | 120 × 0.3333 | 40.00 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 40 ÷ 27 | 1.48 yd³ |
| Weight | 1.48 yd³ × 1.418 tons/yd³ | 2.10 tons |
How it works
The calculator finds the volume of your area, then multiplies it by the weight of the material. Every step uses the numbers you entered, as shown in the breakdown above.
Worked example
A driveway 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, covered 4 in deep with dry gravel (105 lb/ft³):
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.67 ft³
- Cubic yards: 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Weight: 66.67 × 105 = 7,000 lb
- US tons: 7,000 ÷ 2,000 = 3.5 tons
At $45 per ton, that load costs about $157.50 before delivery.
Where the weights come from
The material list uses typical bulk densities published by the Engineering ToolBox: dry gravel at 105 lb/ft³, wet gravel at 125 lb/ft³, a dry sand and gravel mix at 108 lb/ft³, and crushed limestone at 85 to 95 lb/ft³ (we use the 90 lb/ft³ midpoint). Unit conversions use the exact factors in NIST SP 811.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 2,835 lb, or roughly 1.42 US tons, based on a typical bulk density of 105 lb per cubic foot. Wet gravel is heavier, at about 125 lb per cubic foot, or roughly 3,375 lb per cubic yard. Your supplier's figure for their own stone is the one to trust when you order.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
One US ton of dry gravel is about 0.71 cubic yards. That comes from 2,000 lb divided by about 2,835 lb per cubic yard. Heavier, wet or denser stone gives fewer cubic yards per ton.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
A ton of dry gravel covers about 57 square feet at 4 inches deep, or about 114 square feet at 2 inches deep. One ton is about 19 cubic feet at 105 lb per cubic foot, and that volume is spread over the area at your chosen depth. Use the calculator above for your exact depth.
How do I calculate gravel for a round or triangular area?
Choose Circle or Triangle in the calculator. For a circle, enter the diameter; the area is π × (diameter ÷ 2)². For a triangle, enter the base and height; the area is ½ × base × height. The depth and weight steps are the same as for a rectangle.
What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?
A US ton (short ton) is 2,000 lb, which is 907.18474 kg. A tonne (metric ton) is 1,000 kg, about 2,205 lb. Switch to Metric in the calculator to get tonnes and enter a price per tonne.
Should I order extra gravel?
Usually, yes. Gravel settles and compacts once it is spread and rolled, and ground is rarely perfectly level, so the volume you measure is a minimum. Ask your supplier how much extra they recommend for the material you are buying.
Weights use typical bulk densities. Real gravel varies with stone type, size and moisture, so confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.