How much gravel do I need?

Multiply length x width x depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply cubic feet by the material's unit weight and divide by 2,000 for tons. A 20 x 10 ft area at 4 inches deep is 6.7 cubic feet per foot of depth — 2.5 cubic yards, about 3.5 tons of 3/4 inch stone.

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

About 1.4 tons for dry 3/4 inch gravel (2,835 lb), 1.35 tons for crushed stone, and up to 1.8 tons for compacted road base. Wet material runs heavier.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

Plan on 8 to 12 inches total in lifts for a new gravel driveway: a 4 to 6 inch base of larger crushed stone, then 3 to 4 inches of road base, then a 1 to 2 inch top course. A refresh over existing compacted stone only needs 2 to 3 inches.

How much does a ton of gravel cover?

One ton of 3/4 inch gravel covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70 sq ft at 3 inches, or 50 sq ft at 4 inches deep.

How much gravel goes under a concrete slab?

4 inches of compacted crushed stone is standard under a residential slab, increased to 6 inches on poorly drained or clay subgrade. Compact in 2 to 3 inch lifts.

Gravel Calculator

Tons, cubic yards and delivered cost for gravel, crushed stone, road base or pea gravel — for a rectangle or a circle, at any depth.

Quick answer

You need 3.68 tons of gravel (3/4 in, dry) — 2.59 cubic yards for 200 sq ft at 4 in deep, including 5% extra. Delivered, that is about $230. One ton covers roughly 57 sq ft at this depth.

Disclosure: CementCalc is free to use and supported by ads and affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.

Area, depth and material

Shape

Length(ft)

Width(ft)

Depth(in)

4 in under a slab, 8–12 in for a new drive

Material

≈2,835 lb per cubic yard

Compaction / waste(%)

Add 10–15% if you are compacting in lifts

Price($/ton)

Delivery($)

tons = area ft² x depth/12 x (1 + waste) x 105 lb/ft³ / 2000

Order this much

Tons

3.68tons

Cubic yards

2.59yd³

Cubic feet

66.7cu ft

Delivered cost

$230

$140 material + $90 delivery

Bagged equivalent

147x 50 lb bags

Only worth it under about half a ton

Coverage per ton at common depths

Material	lb/ft³	2 in	3 in	4 in	6 in
Gravel (3/4 in, dry)	105	114 sq ft	76 sq ft	57 sq ft	38 sq ft
Crushed stone (#57)	100	120 sq ft	80 sq ft	60 sq ft	40 sq ft
Road base / crusher run	135	89 sq ft	59 sq ft	44 sq ft	30 sq ft
Pea gravel	96	125 sq ft	83 sq ft	63 sq ft	42 sq ft
Concrete / sharp sand	100	120 sq ft	80 sq ft	60 sq ft	40 sq ft
Bedding / paver sand	100	120 sq ft	80 sq ft	60 sq ft	40 sq ft
Fill sand (damp)	110	109 sq ft	73 sq ft	55 sq ft	36 sq ft
Drainage stone (clean 3/4 in)	100	120 sq ft	80 sq ft	60 sq ft	40 sq ft

Square feet covered by one ton, by material and depth. Estimates from loose unit weights.

Build a gravel driveway in layers, not one dump. A 4 to 6 inch bottom course of larger crushed stone spreads the load, 3 to 4 inches of road base locks it together, then a thin top course gives the surface you drive on. Compact each lift before adding the next — uncompacted stone settles into ruts within a season.

Add 10 to 15 percent when you are compacting, because loose delivered volume shrinks under a plate or roller. Clean stone (#57, pea gravel) barely compacts and needs less.

Source & method: Volume is geometry; weight uses typical loose unit weights for each material, marked as estimates because moisture and rock type change them. Confirm delivered weight with your supplier.

Base and compaction gear

Links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel do I need?: Multiply length x width x depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply cubic feet by the material's unit weight and divide by 2,000 for tons. A 20 x 10 ft area at 4 inches deep is 6.7 cubic feet per foot of depth — 2.5 cubic yards, about 3.5 tons of 3/4 inch stone.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?: About 1.4 tons for dry 3/4 inch gravel (2,835 lb), 1.35 tons for crushed stone, and up to 1.8 tons for compacted road base. Wet material runs heavier.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?: Plan on 8 to 12 inches total in lifts for a new gravel driveway: a 4 to 6 inch base of larger crushed stone, then 3 to 4 inches of road base, then a 1 to 2 inch top course. A refresh over existing compacted stone only needs 2 to 3 inches.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?: One ton of 3/4 inch gravel covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 70 sq ft at 3 inches, or 50 sq ft at 4 inches deep.
How much gravel goes under a concrete slab?: 4 inches of compacted crushed stone is standard under a residential slab, increased to 6 inches on poorly drained or clay subgrade. Compact in 2 to 3 inch lifts.