How Much Gravel Do I Need? Formula and Coverage Table
The simple volume formula, how far a ton or a cubic yard of gravel goes, and a table of tons for common areas and depths.
Gravel is sold by volume (cubic yards) or weight (tons), but you measure your project in feet and inches. Converting between them is the step people get wrong, and running short means paying for a second delivery.
The formula
- Area in square feet = length × width (in feet).
- Volume in cubic feet = area × depth in inches ÷ 12.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × the stone’s weight per yard (about 1.4 tons for most crushed stone and pea gravel).
- Add extra for compaction: about 5% for clean crushed stone, 10–15% for stone with fines such as crusher run.
Example: a 10 × 20 ft area at 3” deep is 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards. With 5% extra and at 1.4 tons per yard, that’s about 2.72 tons.
Tons of gravel by area and depth
#57 crushed stone, with 5% extra for compaction.
| Area | 2” deep | 3” deep | 4” deep | Cu yd at 3” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.45 t | 0.68 t | 0.91 t | 0.49 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.91 t | 1.36 t | 1.81 t | 0.97 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.81 t | 2.72 t | 3.63 t | 1.94 |
| 300 sq ft | 2.72 t | 4.08 t | 5.44 t | 2.92 |
| 500 sq ft | 4.54 t | 6.81 t | 9.07 t | 4.86 |
| 1000 sq ft | 9.07 t | 13.61 t | 18.15 t | 9.72 |
How far does a ton of gravel go?
A ton of #57 stone covers roughly 110 sq ft at 2” or 74 sq ft at 3”. Lighter stone such as lava rock covers far more per ton; heavier stone covers less. If your supplier sells by the cubic yard, one yard covers about 162 sq ft at 2” or 108 sq ft at 3”.
How deep should gravel be?
- Paths and walkways: 2–3” of a stone that packs down, over landscape fabric.
- Decorative cover in beds: 2–3”.
- Patio or shed base: 4–6” of compacted crushed stone; see Gravel for a Shed Base.
- Driveways: built in layers, 8–12” in total; see Gravel Driveway Layers.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged gravel (usually 0.5 cu ft) is handy for small jobs. About 54 bags make a cubic yard, so for anything over half a ton or so, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper. Check the delivery fee and the minimum load, and have the truck dump it as close to the work as the ground allows.
Not sure which stone to use? Read Types of Gravel Explained. Then enter your area in the Gravel & Stone Planner for tons, yards, bags and cost with your own prices.