Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator
10 sub-type densities · project presets · tons, bags and bulk loads. With dedicated calculators for each gravel type.
Pick a project (driveway, French drain, garden path…) and a gravel type (pea, crushed #57, road base, rip rap…). The tool auto-fills depth, waste and compaction — and shows tons, bag counts, truck loads and cost. Need a dedicated calculator for one specific type? Jump straight to it below.
Gravel calculator
Pick a project preset, a gravel sub-type and your dimensions — get yards, tons, bags and cost.
Waste & compaction
Project preset auto-fills these — adjust if needed.
How to calculate gravel cubic yards
Live formula breakdown — the math updates as you change project, dimensions, sub-type and compaction.
Volume formula
Rectangle: L × W × D. Circle: π × r² × D.
Plug values (in feet)
Inches → ÷ 12. Meters → × 3.281.
Cubic feet
Raw volume in ft³.
Convert ft³ → yd³ (÷ 27)
1 yd³ = 27 ft³.
Apply waste & compaction
Loose gravel settles when compacted. Add waste for spillage.
Total + tons
Multiply yd³ by density (varies by sub-type) to get weight.
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
Density varies 1.3–1.55 tons/yd³ by type. Click any row to open the dedicated calculator.
| Gravel sub-type | Best for | tons/yd³ | lb/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | Garden paths, playgrounds, decorative beds | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| Crushed stone #57 | Driveway base, drainage, sub-base under concrete | 1.35 | 2,700 |
| Road base | Compacted driveway/road sub-base | 1.42 | 2,840 |
| River rock | Decorative landscaping, dry creek beds | 1.45 | 2,900 |
| Rip rap | Erosion control, slope protection | 1.50 | 3,000 |
| Decorative / chip | Pathways, flower beds, mulch alternative | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| Gabion rock | Wire-basket walls, retaining structures | 1.55 | 3,100 |
| French drain stone | Drainage trenches, perforated pipe surround | 1.30 | 2,600 |
| Limestone | Driveways, base layers, pH adjustment | 1.35 | 2,700 |
| Aquarium gravel | Fish tanks, pond bases, small features | 1.45 | 2,900 |
Recommended depth and coverage by project
Pick a project preset in the tool above — these are the defaults it applies.
Gravel types: which one should I use?
Each gravel sub-type has its own size, shape, density and best use. Tap a card to open its dedicated calculator.
Pea gravel
Garden paths, playgrounds, decorative beds
Open calculatorCrushed stone #57
Driveway base, drainage, sub-base under concrete
Open calculatorRoad base
Compacted driveway/road sub-base
Open calculatorRiver rock
Decorative landscaping, dry creek beds
Rip rap
Erosion control, slope protection
Open calculatorDecorative / chip
Pathways, flower beds, mulch alternative
Open calculatorGabion rock
Wire-basket walls, retaining structures
Open calculatorFrench drain stone
Drainage trenches, perforated pipe surround
Open calculatorLimestone
Driveways, base layers, pH adjustment
Open calculatorAquarium gravel
Fish tanks, pond bases, small features
Open calculatorCompaction factor: order extra so you don't run short
Loose gravel takes up more space than compacted gravel. Multiply your "finished" volume by this factor to know what to order.
Bag vs bulk delivery: what's the breakeven?
Bags are cheap and convenient for small jobs. Bulk delivery wins after about 2 tons.
Bagged retail
~$5 per 40 lb bag at big-box stores
Best for: jobs < 0.5 ton (~14 bags)
Bulk delivery
$40–$100 per ton + $50–$150 delivery fee
Best for: jobs ≥ 2 tons (~1.4 yd³)
6 worked gravel examples
Common scenarios with the actual math.
Gravel driveway 30 × 10 × 4 in
Crushed #57 base with +15% waste & ×1.2 compaction.
French drain 50 ft × 1 ft × 12 in
French drain stone with +5% waste & ×1.05 compaction.
Garden path 4 × 30 × 3 in deep
Pea gravel with +10% waste & ×1.1 compaction.
Retaining wall base 25 ft × 2 ft × 8 in
Road base with +10% waste & ×1.2 compaction.
Fire pit border 6 ft Ø × 4 in deep
Decorative chip with +10% waste.
Drainage swale 40 ft × 3 ft × 6 in
Rip rap with +5% waste & ×1.05 compaction.
Bulk delivery: truck sizes and minimum orders
Pick the right truck for your project size. Confirm site access before ordering.
Best you can DIY-haul. Most yards charge per-load.
Standard residential delivery. 1 yd³ minimum, common.
For driveway, large landscape jobs.
Commercial jobs. Best price per ton at scale.
Gravel calculator FAQs
12 most-asked questions about gravel volume, weight and ordering.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Most gravel weighs 1.3–1.55 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel ≈ 1.40, crushed stone #57 ≈ 1.35, road base ≈ 1.42, river rock ≈ 1.45, rip rap ≈ 1.50, gabion rock ≈ 1.55 tons/yd³.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
4–6 inches of compacted base (crushed stone or road base) for residential driveways. Add 1–2 inches of pea gravel or decorative stone on top.
How many square feet does 1 cubic yard of gravel cover?
At 2 in deep: 162 sq ft. At 3 in: 108 sq ft. At 4 in: 81 sq ft. At 6 in: 54 sq ft. (Formula: sq ft = 324 ÷ depth in inches.)
Pea gravel vs crushed stone — which one?
Pea gravel is rounded and best for paths, playgrounds and decorative beds. Crushed stone is angular, locks together when compacted, and is the go-to for driveway base and drainage.
What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway?
Crushed limestone or road base mix — typically $15–$30 per ton bulk. Pea gravel and river rock are 2–3× more expensive.
Do I need to add a compaction factor?
Yes for any sub-base. Compacted gravel needs roughly 20% more volume than the finished depth (multiply by 1.2). Decorative top dressing only needs ×1.05.
How much waste should I add?
5% for contained drainage (French drain, trenches), 10% for paths and driveways, 15% for irregular shapes and slopes.
Bag vs bulk delivery — what is the breakeven?
Bagged gravel costs ~$5 per 40 lb bag (~$250 per ton retail). Bulk delivery costs $40–$100 per ton plus a $50–$150 fee. Breakeven is roughly 2 tons.
How many 40 lb bags of gravel equal 1 cubic yard?
About 70 bags for medium gravel (40 × 70 = 2,800 lb ≈ 1 yd³). Heavier types like gabion rock need ~78 bags per yard.
What size dump truck do I need?
Single-axle holds ~10 yd³, tandem ~18 yd³, super-dump ~24 yd³. Confirm site access — these are large trucks.
Can I mix gravel types?
For driveways yes: compact road base or crushed #57 underneath, then top with 1–2 in of pea gravel or decorative chip. Don't mix in the same layer.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
Between 2,600 and 3,100 lbs (1.3–1.55 short tons) depending on type and moisture. Wet gravel weighs 10–20% more.
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