Last updated: October 2026
How much gravel do I need?
Short answer: Multiply length × width × (depth ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add 10% waste, and convert to tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard (the average for crushed stone). Example: a 10 × 12 ft patio at 4 in deep needs about 1.63 cubic yards ≈ 2.28 tons ≈ 88 half-cubic-foot bags.
How to measure your project
Measure the length and width of the area in feet — for a driveway, the drivable surface; for a patio, the finished edge. Then pick a depth in inches from the table below. Enter all three plus a waste allowance (10% is standard) and the calculator returns cubic yards, tons, retail bags, and a cost estimate if you add a price.
Recommended gravel depth
| Project | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in | Foot traffic only; weed fabric underneath helps |
| Patio | 4 in | Compact in 2-in lifts for a stable surface |
| Driveway (cars) | 4–6 in | Compacted; refresh the top inch yearly |
| Heavy vehicles | 6+ in | Trucks and RVs need a deeper, compacted base |
Ordering in bulk by the ton is cheapest for driveways — most suppliers sell by the cubic yard or the ton. The 0.5-cu-ft bag count is for retail-bag projects like small paths and patch repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need?
Multiply length x width x (depth in inches / 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. Add about 10% extra for waste. The calculator above does all of this for you.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Crushed stone averages about 1.4 tons per cubic yard (roughly 2,800 pounds). Pea gravel is a little lighter at around 1.3, and dense rock can reach 1.5. The calculator uses 1.4 as an average - order a touch more if your supplier quotes a higher density. For background on the different types of gravel and their densities, see the overview on Wikipedia.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
4 inches compacted is the standard for a passenger-car driveway; use 6 inches or more where heavy trucks will drive. Garden paths need only 2-3 inches, and patios do well at 4 inches.
How many 0.5 cubic foot bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 half-cubic-foot bags with no waste. With the recommended 10% waste allowance, plan on about 60 bags per cubic yard.
Does this work for pea gravel?
Yes. The volume math is identical for pea gravel, crushed stone, and river rock. Only the weight differs slightly: the calculator's 1.4 tons per cubic yard is an average for crushed stone, so pea-gravel tonnage may come in a few percent lighter.
Is my project data private?
Completely. Every calculation runs locally in your browser with JavaScript - your measurements are never sent to a server, stored, or tracked.