Tons: The weight of gravel you need to order, using a standard density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Most suppliers sell gravel by the ton.
Cubic Yards: The volume measurement — useful when comparing prices or ordering from suppliers who quote by the yard.
Cubic Feet: A smaller volume unit helpful for visualizing the amount or when buying bagged gravel (bags are usually 0.5 cu ft).
How This Calculator Works
You enter the area's length and width in feet and the desired gravel depth in inches. The tool converts depth to feet, multiplies all three dimensions for cubic feet, divides by 27 for cubic yards, and multiplies by 1.4 to estimate tons. The 1.4 tons-per-yard figure is a typical average for common gravel types.
Quick Questions
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Driveways typically need 4–6 inches of gravel in layers: a 4-inch base of #3 stone topped with 2 inches of finer #57 stone or pea gravel.
Why 1.4 tons per cubic yard?
That's the average density for common crushed stone. Pea gravel runs closer to 1.3 tons/yd, while dense-grade base may reach 1.5 tons/yd. Ask your supplier for their product's exact weight.
Should I order extra?
Yes. Plan for 5–10% extra to handle uneven ground, compaction, and edge spillage.
How many bags is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. If you're buying 0.5 cu ft bags, that's 54 bags — which is why bulk delivery is much more practical for larger projects.