Gravel Calculator
Calculate the volume in cubic yards, total weight in tons, and 50-lb retail bag count for gravel, crushed stone, or river rock projects.
| 50-lb Retail Bags Equivalent | 110 Bags (0.5 cu ft ea) |
| Surface Area Coverage | 200.0 sq ft |
| Estimated Material Cost | $123.75 |
| Standard Pickup Truck Loads | ~3 Half-Ton Loads |
How to Calculate Gravel for Your Project
Gravel and aggregate materials are sold either by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). If you buy from a home improvement store, it is sold in 50-pound bags.
To calculate what you need:
- Multiply the length and width of your area in feet to get total square footage.
- Convert your desired depth from inches into feet (divide inches by 12).
- Multiply square footage by depth in feet to get cubic feet.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by the specific material density to determine total tons.
The Mathematics of Gravel Calculation
Here are the primary formulas used to calculate volume, tonnage, and bag counts:
Volume (Cubic Feet) = Area (sq ft) * (Depth in Inches / 12)
Volume (Cubic Yards) = Volume (Cubic Feet) / 27
Total Weight (lbs) = Volume (Cubic Yards) * Density (lbs/yd³)
Total Tons = (Total Weight (lbs) / 2,000) * (1 + (Waste % / 100))
50-lb Bags Needed = Math.ceil(Total Weight (lbs) / 50)
Step-by-Step Worked Calculation Example
Suppose you are installing a gravel patio measuring 20 feet long by 10 feet wide with Crushed Stone at 3 inches depth and a 10% waste buffer:
- Area:
20 ft * 10 ft = 200 sq ft - Depth in feet:
3 in / 12 = 0.25 ft - Volume in cubic feet:
200 sq ft * 0.25 ft = 50 cu ft - Volume in cubic yards:
50 / 27 = 1.85 cu yd net - Add 10% compaction factor:
1.85 * 1.10 = 2.04 cubic yards - Calculate weight (Crushed stone @ 2,700 lbs/yd³):
2.04 cu yd * 2,700 lbs = 5,508 lbs - Convert to tons:
5,508 / 2,000 = 2.75 Tons of gravel - Bags equivalent:
5,508 / 50 = 111 bags (50-lb)
Master Gravel Coverage Reference Table
Approximate cubic yards and tons of crushed stone required across typical square footages (includes 10% buffer):
| Square Footage | 2" Depth (Walkway) | 3" Depth (Patio Bed) | 4" Depth (Light Driveway) | 6" Depth (Heavy Base) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft (Small garden bed) | 0.34 yd³ (0.46 tons) | 0.51 yd³ (0.69 tons) | 0.68 yd³ (0.92 tons) | 1.02 yd³ (1.37 tons) |
| 100 sq ft (Pathway / border) | 0.68 yd³ (0.92 tons) | 1.02 yd³ (1.37 tons) | 1.36 yd³ (1.83 tons) | 2.04 yd³ (2.75 tons) |
| 200 sq ft (Patio space) | 1.36 yd³ (1.83 tons) | 2.04 yd³ (2.75 tons) | 2.72 yd³ (3.67 tons) | 4.07 yd³ (5.50 tons) |
| 400 sq ft (1-car driveway) | 2.72 yd³ (3.67 tons) | 4.07 yd³ (5.50 tons) | 5.43 yd³ (7.33 tons) | 8.15 yd³ (11.00 tons) |
| 600 sq ft (2-car driveway) | 4.07 yd³ (5.50 tons) | 6.11 yd³ (8.25 tons) | 8.15 yd³ (11.00 tons) | 12.22 yd³ (16.50 tons) |
| 800 sq ft (Large parking pad) | 5.43 yd³ (7.33 tons) | 8.15 yd³ (11.00 tons) | 10.86 yd³ (14.67 tons) | 16.30 yd³ (22.00 tons) |
| 1,000 sq ft (Commercial lot) | 6.79 yd³ (9.17 tons) | 10.19 yd³ (13.75 tons) | 13.58 yd³ (18.33 tons) | 20.37 yd³ (27.50 tons) |
Recommended Gravel Depths by Project Type
- Decorative Mulch Alternative (1.5 to 2 inches): Ideal for flower beds and around shrubs where minimal foot traffic occurs.
- Walkways and Footpaths (2 to 3 inches): Provides a comfortable, stable walking surface that won't shift excessively underfoot.
- Residential Vehicle Driveways (4 to 6 inches): Best installed in two layers: a 3-inch coarse base (#3 or crusher run) topped by a 2 to 3 inch decorative surface layer (#57 crushed stone).
- French Drains and Dry Wells (8 to 12 inches): Coarse washed river gravel or clean crushed stone creates the water voids necessary for rapid drainage.
5 Essential Tips for Installing Gravel
Frequently Asked Questions
At a 2-inch depth, 1 ton of crushed gravel covers approximately 80 to 90 square feet. At a 3-inch depth, it covers about 55 to 60 square feet, and at 4 inches depth, about 40 to 45 square feet.
If you need more than 1 cubic yard (approx 54 bags or 1.4 tons), ordering bulk gravel delivered by dump truck is usually 50% to 70% cheaper than purchasing individual 50-pound bags at retail stores.
A standard half-ton pickup truck (like a Ford F-150) can safely haul about 0.5 to 0.75 cubic yards (approx 1,500 to 2,000 lbs) without overloading its suspension. Heavy three-quarter-ton trucks can haul about 1.0 to 1.25 cubic yards.
#57 crushed stone consists of angular crushed limestone (approx 1/2 to 1 inch) that locks tightly together, making it ideal for driveways and bases. Pea gravel is smooth, rounded, pebble-sized stone (approx 3/8 inch) best suited for decorative garden paths and playgrounds.
Install high-quality non-woven needle-punched landscape fabric before spreading stone, maintain at least 2.5 to 3 inches of gravel depth, and periodically blow away organic debris like leaves before they decompose into weed soil.