Gravel Calculator
Cubic yards, tons, and cost — enter your dimensions and get the answer instantly.
Cubic yards, tons, and cost — enter your dimensions and get the answer instantly.
Always order 10% extra for compaction, spillage, and uneven ground.
| Depth | Application | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | Top coat / resurfacing | Adding fresh surface to an existing driveway or decorative bed |
| 3 inches | Garden paths & landscaping | Walkways, French drains, decorative ground cover |
| 4 inches | Standard driveway layer | Each layer of a new driveway — most projects need 3 layers |
| 6 inches | Heavy traffic base | Base layer for trucks, construction areas, or high-traffic parking |
A single-car driveway (10×40 ft) at 4 inches deep needs about 5 cubic yards or 7 tons. A two-car driveway (20×40 ft) needs about 10 cubic yards or 14 tons. Click any preset above to load these numbers. Always order 10% extra for compaction.
For a new driveway: 6 inches of base stone + 4 inches of middle layer + 2 inches of surface gravel = 12 inches total. For resurfacing an existing driveway, 2–3 inches of fresh top gravel is usually enough.
Multiply cubic yards × 1.35 for crushed stone. For pea gravel, use × 1.25. Example: 10 cubic yards of crushed stone = 13.5 tons. The calculator above adjusts automatically by gravel type.
Crushed stone runs $15–$75 per yard depending on type and region. Pea gravel is $25–$55/yard. River rock can be $50–$100/yard. Delivery adds $50–$150 per load. Enter your local price in the calculator's optional price field to get a full cost estimate.
At 4 inches deep: 9.9 cubic yards (about 13–14 tons). At 6 inches: about 14.8 cubic yards (20 tons). Click the two-car driveway preset above to load these numbers instantly.
Always order at least 10% more. Gravel compacts when tamped (losing 10–15% of volume), some is lost during spreading, and ground is rarely perfectly level. The "order qty" result already includes this 10% buffer.
Use #3 crushed stone (2–3 inch chunks) as your base, #57 crushed stone (¾ inch) for the middle layer, and #411 or crusher run for the surface — it compacts well and stays put. Pea gravel looks attractive but shifts underfoot; better for decorative paths.
One ton of crushed stone equals about 0.74 cubic yards. To convert tons to cubic yards, divide by 1.35. For pea gravel, divide by 1.25. The calculator above handles this automatically.