Free tool
Gravel calculator
Add each area and the depth, pick the material, and get cubic yards and tons. Density varies by quarry and moisture, so it's editable: use your supplier's figure when you have it.
Gravel needed
13.3 tons9.88 cu yd over 800 sq ft at 4 in.
- Cubic yards
- 9.88
- Cubic feet
- 266.7
- Density used
- 1.35 t/yd³
- Rounded order
- 10 cu yd
Loose volume. Compacted stone is 10–15% denser, so add an allowance for base courses that get compacted.
9.88 cubic yards, about 13.3 tons at 1.35 tons per cubic yard, for 800 square feet at 4 inches deep.
How it's calculated
- Area (sq ft) = length × width, or π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for a round area
- Volume (cu ft) = total area × depth (in) ÷ 12
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per cubic yard)
How to use it
- 1Measure each area. Enter each area as a rectangle, a circle, or its square footage.
- 2Set the depth. Enter the finished depth in inches.
- 3Pick the material. Choose a material for a typical loose density, or enter your supplier's tons per cubic yard.
- 4Add prices. Enter your price per ton or per cubic yard, and delivery, to see the cost.
Worked example
A 12 × 50 ft driveway and a 10 × 20 ft parking pad, 4 inches deep, in ¾ in. crushed stone at 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
- Area = 600 + 200 = 800 sq ft
- Volume = 800 × 4 ÷ 12 = 266.7 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 266.7 ÷ 27 = 9.88 cu yd
- Tons = 9.88 × 1.35 = 13.33 tons
Order about 9.9 cubic yards, or 13.3 tons, before any allowance for compaction.
Sources
- Vertigraph (takeoff and estimating software), How to calculate gravel tonnage. Accessed 2026-11-03.
Typical loose densities: pea gravel 1.42, ¾ in. crushed stone 1.35, road base / Class V 1.62, sand 1.28 tons per cubic yard. Compacted density runs 10–15% higher; order 10–15% more than the bare volume for compaction and spillage. Density varies with moisture, size and geology; ask the supplier for tested bulk density.
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 2025 Standard Specifications, Section 305: Dense-Graded Base. Accessed 2026-11-03.
For pay quantities, WisDOT converts completed in-place Base Aggregate Dense at 1.85 tons per cubic yard: an example of how much more compacted base weighs than loose stone.
FAQ
Gravel calculator questions
Have a question we didn't cover? Book a demo and ask a product specialist.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Typically about 1.3 to 1.6 tons loose, depending on the stone: Vertigraph lists ¾ in. crushed stone at 1.35, pea gravel at 1.42 and road base at 1.62. Your quarry's scale weight is the real number, so ask for it.
Why isn't river rock or decomposed granite in the list?
We couldn't find a published density for them that we trust enough to set as a default; figures vary by source and by stone size. Choose Custom and enter your supplier's tons per cubic yard.
Should I order extra for compaction?
Yes, for base courses and driveways that get compacted. Compacted stone is 10–15% denser than loose, so a loose yard compacts to roughly 0.85–0.9 yards. The calculator shows the exact loose volume so you can add your own allowance.
How deep should gravel be?
It depends on the use: decorative beds and paths are often 2–3 inches, while driveways usually need a thicker base course under the surface stone. Follow your spec or local practice.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?
Both. Quarries usually sell by the ton; landscape yards often sell by the yard. Enter whichever price you have and the calculator converts.
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