How many cubic yards of gravel are in a ton?

About 0.7 cubic yards per ton, since gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. One ton of gravel covers about 100 square feet at 2 inches deep.

How deep should gravel be?

For a driveway, plan 4 to 6 inches of base rock plus a 2 to 3 inch top layer. For a walkway or patio base, 2 to 4 inches is usually enough over compacted ground.

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How Much Gravel Do I Need?

Q: How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

Multiply the driveway length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards. A gravel driveway typically uses a 4 to 6 inch base plus a 2 to 3 inch top layer. Multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to estimate tons.

Gravel is sold two ways — by the cubic yard and by the ton — and getting the amount right means measuring the area, choosing the correct depth, and converting between the two. This guide covers all of it, then hands you the calculator.

Written & reviewed by David Miller, Master Carpenter · 15+ years residential experience. Read our methodology

Jump to: The formula Gravel depth by project Yards to tons Coverage per ton Worked example Which calculator FAQ

The formula

Gravel volume is length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches to feet. Then divide by 27 to get cubic yards.

Cubic yards = [Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth in ÷ 12)] ÷ 27

Gravel depth by project

Project	Recommended depth
Walkway / garden path	2–3 in
Patio / shed base	3–4 in (compacted)
Driveway base layer	4–6 in
Driveway top layer	2–3 in
Drainage / French drain	fill the trench

A durable gravel driveway is usually built in layers: a coarse base rock topped with a finer #57 or crushed-stone surface.

Converting cubic yards to tons

Suppliers often price gravel by the ton, so you need the density. Gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard (about 2,800 lb), though it ranges from 1.25 to 1.5 depending on stone type and moisture.

Tons ≈ Cubic yards × 1.4 — see Cubic Yards to Tons for other materials.

Coverage per ton

As a field rule, one ton of gravel covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep. Double the depth and you halve the coverage — 100 sq ft at 4 inches takes about 2 tons.

Worked example

A 40 ft × 12 ft driveway with 4 inches of gravel:

Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
Volume: 40 × 12 × 0.333 = 160 cubic feet
Cubic yards: 160 ÷ 27 = 5.9 cu yd
Tons: 5.9 × 1.4 = ~8.3 tons

Which calculator should you use?

Let the tool handle the volume, tonnage, and cost:

Gravel & Tonnage Calculator →

Driveways, patios, and paths → Gravel & Tonnage Calculator
Convert cubic feet to yards and tons → Cubic Yard & Tonnage Calculator
Paver base and jointing sand → Paver Patio Calculator
Fill dirt and grading → Dirt & Topsoil Calculator

Frequently asked questions