Gravel smarter.
Cubic yards of gravel, stone, or aggregate for driveways, paths, or base layers. Converts to tons for bulk ordering.
How we calculated this
Volume is calculated by multiplying area (length × width) by depth, then converting to cubic yards for imperial (÷27) or staying in cubic meters for metric. Most landscape suppliers sell gravel by the cubic yard; some also sell by the ton, which is why the calculator returns both.
Density varies by gravel type but the differences are small for most applications. Crushed stone and pea gravel are about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. River rock is slightly lighter (1.35 tons/yd³) because of its rounded shape leaving more air. Sand is denser (1.5 tons/yd³) because it packs tighter.
The right depth depends on the use: 2 inches for decorative paths; 3 inches for walkways; 4 inches for driveway surface layer; 4 inches for base under a concrete slab or paver installation; 6-8 inches for driveways with heavy vehicles or for deep base layers.
Gravel ordered by the cubic yard is usually delivered by dump truck with a minimum load (typically 1-3 yards depending on supplier). Small quantities are more economical in bags from a home center (0.5 cu ft bags × about 60 = 1 cu yd).
Tons and yards are not the same thing, and it matters
The most common gravel ordering mistake is confusing tons with cubic yards. A landscape supply yard quotes you in tons. You calculated cubic yards. One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons. Order 5 cubic yards when you meant 5 tons and you get 30 percent more gravel than you need (and pay for the overage). Order 5 tons when you meant 5 yards and you are 30 percent short. The calculator above outputs both units so you can match whichever your supplier uses.
How we calculated these numbers▾
Volume formula: area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Ton conversion uses ASTM gradation-specific density factors. Pricing reflects 2026 landscape supply yard rates. Compaction factor of 1.2× is standard for crushed angular aggregate per ASTM D698.
How depth determines your project type
A garden path needs 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel over landscape fabric. A paver patio base needs 4 to 6 inches of crushed stone, compacted in lifts. A gravel driveway that parks vehicles needs 6 to 8 inches of road base with a 2-inch topping layer of smaller stone. Each inch of depth across a 200-square-foot area adds 0.6 cubic yards to the order. That is roughly one ton and $30 to $50 in material.
Picking the right gravel for the job
Angular (crushed) | Round (river/pea) | |
|---|---|---|
| Compaction | Locks tight, excellent | Shifts, poor |
| Drainage | Good through voids | Excellent through voids |
| Walkability | Firm surface | Loose, sinks underfoot |
| Best for | Base layers, driveways, under pavers | Decorative, drainage trenches, between flagstone |
| Cost | $20 to 45/ton | $30 to 120/ton |
Most projects need angular crushed stone as the base layer. Round stone goes on top for appearance, or in drainage applications where compaction is not needed.
Gravel types by number, and what each one does
Aggregate is graded by number, and the numbers describe size and whether fines are present. That second part decides everything. Gravel with fines compacts into a hard, load-bearing surface but drains slowly. Gravel washed clean of fines drains freely but never locks together, so it stays loose underfoot forever. Choosing the wrong one is the single most common gravel mistake, and it is not recoverable without digging it back out.
Size | Fines? | What it is for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run, crush and run | Dust to 1 in | Yes, packed with them | Base layers, compacts rock hard |
| #57 gravel | 3/4 in | No, washed clean | Drainage, French drains, driveway top |
| #8 gravel | 3/8 in | No | Finer top layer, paver bedding |
| #3 or #4 gravel | 1.5 to 2.5 in | No | Deep base under a new driveway |
| Pea gravel | 3/8 in, rounded | No | Patios, paths, playgrounds, dog runs |
| Decomposed granite | Fines to 1/4 in | Yes | Paths that need a firm walking surface |
The aggregates you will actually be offered by name. Crusher run and crush and run are the same product; so are ABC and dense grade aggregate in most of the country.
Two practical readings. Crush and run gravel, sold as crusher run, ABC, or dense grade depending on where you are, is what goes down first on a driveway because the fines act as a binder and the angular pieces lock. It is the cheapest aggregate per ton and the one most people should be buying more of. And #57 gravel is the drainage workhorse: it is the standard fill for a French drain and the usual top course on a gravel driveway, because water passes straight through it rather than sitting on the surface.
Pea gravel is the exception that catches people. It is rounded rather than crushed, which is why it is comfortable underfoot and why it will not compact. On a patio or a path with edging it is excellent. On a driveway it migrates under tyres, ruts, and ends up in the lawn, which is why a pea gravel driveway is a maintenance commitment rather than a surface. If you want the look, use it as a thin top course over a compacted crusher run base and accept the raking.
Building a gravel driveway in layers
A driveway that lasts is not one gravel, it is two or three in sequence, each compacted before the next goes on. The usual build over stable subgrade is 4 inches of #3 or crusher run as base, then 2 to 3 inches of #57 as the running surface. Over soft or clay soil the base goes deeper and a woven geotextile fabric underneath keeps the stone from disappearing into the mud, which is a $200 roll that routinely saves several tons of aggregate.
Compaction is what separates a driveway from a gravel pile. Each lift should be no more than 4 inches before rolling, because a plate compactor cannot densify a deeper layer, and the surface should crown slightly so water runs to the sides rather than down the middle. Skipping compaction is why some gravel driveways rut in their first wet season and others last a decade with a top-up.
Order 20% more than the formula says
Composite illustration based on typical project dimensions, regional contractor pricing, and 2026 material costs. Not a specific real project.
Delivery logistics
Gravel comes in dump trucks. A standard tandem axle dump truck holds 12 to 16 tons (8 to 11 cubic yards). A single axle holds 5 to 8 tons. Delivery fees range from $50 to $150 depending on distance. Most suppliers charge a flat delivery fee per trip regardless of load size, so it costs the same to deliver 3 yards or 10 yards. Fill the truck.
Where the truck dumps matters. Gravel cannot be scooped back up easily once it is on the ground. Have the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible. If the pile goes in the driveway and the project is in the back yard, you are moving every pound by wheelbarrow. Ten yards of crushed stone is about 14 tons. That is a lot of wheelbarrow loads.
For projects that also need topsoil or mulch, order everything from the same supplier on the same truck when possible. Most landscape yards will split-load two or three materials on one delivery, saving you $100 or more in delivery fees.
Frequently asked
How many cubic yards of gravel for a 20×10 driveway?
For a 20 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep, you need about 2.5 cubic yards (roughly 3.5 tons). For a solid driveway base that won't sink, go 6 inches deep: 3.7 cubic yards, about 5.2 tons. Use the calculator above for exact numbers.
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for most crushed stone and pea gravel. River rock is a bit less (1.35 tons/yd³), sand is a bit more (1.5 tons/yd³). So 1 cubic yard ≈ 2,800 lbs for typical gravel.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
For new construction: 8 inches total (4 inches of #3 or #4 crushed stone base, topped with 4 inches of #57 or pea gravel surface). For replacing the surface only: 4 inches of new material over existing compacted base. Drivable surface needs minimum 4 inches or it sinks into the soil.
How many bags of gravel equal a cubic yard?
About 60 bags of 0.5 cu ft gravel make a cubic yard. At $5-8 per bag, that's $300-500, typically more expensive than bulk delivery ($25-50 per yard + delivery fee). Bags are practical for jobs under about 0.5 yards.
What's the difference between gravel types?
Crushed stone has sharp angular edges that lock together (best for bases and driveways). Pea gravel is small rounded stones (best for decorative paths, doesn't lock but drains well). River rock is larger rounded stones (decorative, heaviest aesthetic). Sand is fine and packs tight (used under pavers as a leveling layer).
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
For driveways: no: fabric tears under vehicle weight. For paths and decorative areas: yes, a woven fabric prevents gravel from mixing with soil and blocks weeds. Buy enough fabric to cover the full area with 6-inch overlaps.
How much does gravel cost?
Bulk delivered: typically $25-50 per cubic yard for crushed stone or pea gravel, plus a $75-150 delivery fee. Bagged from a home center: $5-8 per 0.5 cu ft bag. Bulk is much cheaper over about 3 yards; bags make sense for small projects.
Can I use this for sand or stone dust?
Yes, the math is identical for any bulk aggregate. Select 'Sand' for approximately correct density. Stone dust is similar to sand in density (~1.5 tons/yd³).
Sources
- ASTM D448: Standard Sizes of Coarse Aggregate - The gradation numbering behind #57, #8, and the other size designations
- AASHTO M43: Sizes of Aggregate for Road Construction - The parallel highway specification most suppliers reference for base material
- USDA NRCS: Gravel Road Construction and Maintenance - Base depth, crowning, and compaction practice for unpaved surfaces
- University of Minnesota Extension: Driveway Base - Residential driveway build-up and drainage recommendations
- NCMA: Aggregate Base for Segmental Pavements - Compaction lift depth and geotextile use over weak subgrade
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