How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Whether you're building a new driveway, a patio subbase, or a french drain, ordering the right amount of gravel is critical. Most bulk gravel is sold by the ton or by the cubic yard.
Calculate your exact needs using our Gravel Calculator.
Step 1: Calculate Cubic Yards
First, find the volume of the space to fill.
Cubic Yards = (Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in)) ÷ 324
For a driveway that is 50 ft long, 10 ft wide, and requires 4 inches of gravel:
(50 × 10 × 4) ÷ 324 = 6.17 cubic yards
Step 2: Convert to Tons
Gravel density varies heavily by material type and moisture content. As a rule of thumb, one cubic yard of standard crushed stone weighs approximately 1.35 to 1.4 tons.
6.17 cubic yards × 1.4 tons = 8.64 tons
Step 3: Compaction and Waste
When gravel is compacted with a plate compactor or roller, it shrinks in volume. You should always add at least a 10% allowance to your order to account for compaction and spillage into the subgrade.
For the driveway above, order 9.5 to 10 tons to be safe.