BuildFigure

Gravel Calculator

Estimate gravel and crushed stone in tons and cubic yards.

Area shape

Decorative ~2 in · walkways ~3 in · driveways ~4 in per layer.

Sets the density used to convert volume to tons. #57 is open-graded drainage stone; #411 / crusher run is the compactable base.

Loose gravel loses ~10–20% of its volume when tamped. Use 10% for a spread layer and 15–20% for a mechanically compacted base.

Enter your area and depth to see how many tons of gravel you need.

Shop bagged pea gravel →

BuildFigure — Gravel estimate
·

Estimate only — verify quantities before ordering.

How much gravel do I need?

To figure out how much gravel you need, multiply length × width × depth (converted to feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, add ~10% for compaction, then multiply by the stone’s density to get tons. For example, a 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches of #57 crushed stone needs about 2.72 cubic yards — roughly 3.8 tons (order 4). Enter your area above for an instant, compaction-adjusted estimate in tons and cubic yards.

How we calculate gravel

  • Rectangular: area (sq ft) = length × width
  • Circular: area (sq ft) = π × (diameter ÷ 2)²
  • Volume (cu ft) = area × depth — all in feet
  • Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
  • With waste = cubic yards × (1 + waste%) · Tons = cubic yards × density
  • Densities: pea 1.40 · #57 1.40 · #411 1.50 · river rock 1.35 · sand 1.35 tons/cu yd

How to use this calculator

  1. Pick a shape. Choose a rectangular or circular area.
  2. Enter dimensions. Type length, width (or diameter) and depth, and pick each unit.
  3. Choose the stone. Select the material so the right density is used to convert to tons.
  4. Read your estimate. See cubic yards, tons and a rounded-up order quantity, then print or share it.

Tips & real-world notes

  • Order extra for a compacted base — loose delivered gravel shrinks 10–20% when tamped.
  • #411 / crusher run has stone dust (fines) that lock together and compact into a solid base — the right pick under pavers, sheds and driveways.
  • #57 is open-graded (no fines) and does NOT compact — it stays loose on purpose for drainage, French drains and as a clean driveway top course. Don’t expect it to firm up like crusher run.
  • Driveways are usually built in two ~4 in layers: a compacted #411 / crusher-run base plus a finer or decorative top course.
  • Suppliers price by the ton but coverage is intuitive by depth — this estimate shows both.

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, add ~10% for compaction, then multiply by density (about 1.40 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone). A 20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in driveway needs about 3.8 tons.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.4 tons for pea gravel and #57 crushed stone, 1.5 tons for compacted #411 base, and roughly 1.35 tons for river rock or sand. Moisture and gradation shift these by ±10%.
What waste factor should I use for gravel?
Use 10% for a spread decorative layer and 15–20% for a base course that will be mechanically compacted, since loose gravel loses volume when tamped.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan about 4 inches per layer, often two layers (a coarse base and a finer top), so a full driveway is commonly 6–8 inches total.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?
Bulk gravel is usually sold by the ton, though some suppliers sell by the cubic yard. This calculator shows both so you can order either way.
How many yards of gravel for a driveway?
Work it out from the area and depth. A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches is 200 sq ft × 0.33 ft = 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 2.47 cubic yards; adding 10% for compaction rounds to about 2.72 cubic yards (roughly 3.8 tons of #57). A larger 24 ft × 24 ft two-car pad at 4 inches works out to about 7.8 cubic yards with waste — near 11 tons. Build the base in ~4-inch layers, so a full-depth driveway can double these numbers.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
It depends on depth. A ton of #57 or pea gravel (about 1.40 tons per cubic yard) covers roughly 115 sq ft at 2 inches, 77 sq ft at 3 inches, or 57 sq ft at 4 inches. This calculator shows the exact coverage per ton and per cubic yard for your chosen depth.
What’s the difference between #57 stone and #411 / crusher run?
#57 is a clean, open-graded ¾" stone with no fines — it drains freely and stays loose, so it’s used for drainage, French drains and as a driveway top course, and it does not compact. #411 (crusher run) is the same crushed stone plus stone dust; those fines let it compact into a firm, load-bearing base under pavers, sheds and driveways. Use crusher run for the base and #57 where you want drainage.

Shop materials

BuildFigure may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you.