A 20 × 10 ft driveway strip, 3 in deep
length 20 ft, width 10 ft, depth 3 in, bulk density 2700 lb/yd³.
Gravel needed, including waste
2.75 short tons
- Total volume (incl. 10% waste): 2.04 yd³ (55 ft³)
- Total weight: 2.75 short tons (2.49 tonnes)
Gravel Calculator
This gravel calculator estimates the volume and weight of gravel for a driveway, path, drainage trench or base layer, in cubic yards and tons or in cubic metres and tonnes.
Last updated
How much gravel do I need for a 20 × 10 ft area, 3 inches deep?
You need 1.85 yd³ of gravel, or 2.04 yd³ with a 10% allowance for compaction. At about 2,700 lb per cubic yard, that weighs 2.75 short tons.
Gravel needed, including waste
2.75 short tons
- Base volume
- 1.85 yd³
- Total volume (incl. 10% waste)
- 2.04 yd³ (55 ft³)
- Total weight
- 2.75 short tons (2.49 tonnes)
- Recommended order (volume)Rounded up for delivery.
- 2.25 yd³
Inputs
- How do you want to measure?: Length × width
- Length: 20 ft
- Width: 10 ft
- Depth: 3 in
- Bulk density: 2700 lb/yd³
- Waste / overage: 10 %
- • Suppliers sell by weight or by volume. Confirm which they use, and their stated density.
- • Moisture and stone size change weight per cubic yard.
Results are estimates for planning only. Supplier specifications, product yields, site conditions and local codes vary. Confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified professional before you buy or build.
How this is calculated
Formulas
- Volume = length × width × depth.
- Total volume = volume × (1 + waste %).
- Weight = total volume × bulk density.
- Short tons = pounds ÷ 2,000. Tonnes = kilograms ÷ 1,000.
Assumptions
- The area is a flat rectangle at uniform depth.
- The default density (2,700 lb/yd³, 1,600 kg/m³) is a typical figure for crushed stone. Your material may differ, especially when wet.
- Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb).
Worked examples: common projects
A 6 × 3 m path, 8 cm deep
length 6 m, width 3 m, depth 8 cm, bulk density 1600 kg/m³.
Gravel needed, including waste
2.53 tonnes
- Total volume (incl. 10% waste): 1.58 m³ (1,584 L)
- Total weight: 2.53 tonnes (2.79 short tons)
A 40 × 12 ft driveway, 4 in deep
length 40 ft, width 12 ft, depth 4 in, bulk density 2700 lb/yd³.
Gravel needed, including waste
8.8 short tons
- Total volume (incl. 10% waste): 6.52 yd³ (176 ft³)
- Total weight: 8.8 short tons (7.98 tonnes)
A 10 × 12 ft shed base, 6 in deep
length 10 ft, width 12 ft, depth 6 in, bulk density 2700 lb/yd³.
Gravel needed, including waste
3.3 short tons
- Total volume (incl. 10% waste): 2.44 yd³ (66 ft³)
- Total weight: 3.3 short tons (2.99 tonnes)
Quick reference
Gravel coverage by depth
At a bulk density of 2,700 lb per cubic yard (1.35 short tons). Your material may differ.
| Depth | Area covered by 1 yd³ | Yards per 100 sq ft | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.83 |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 0.93 | 1.25 |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.67 |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 1.85 | 2.50 |
Cubic yards of gravel by area and depth
Volume only, before waste. Multiply by 1.35 for short tons at 2,700 lb per cubic yard.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 250 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ | 2.31 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 24.69 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ |
Before you order gravel
Gravel is sold by weight at some suppliers and by volume at others. Ask which one they use and what bulk density they assume, then enter that density to get a weight that matches their ticket.
Angular crushed stone compacts and locks together, so a base layer needs more loose material than the final compacted depth. The waste field lets you cover that. Building a patio on top? Size the surface with the paver calculator and any footings with the concrete calculator.
Choosing the right gravel
Crushed stone with a mix of sizes and fines packs down and locks together, which makes it a common choice for bases and driveways. Rounded gravel such as pea gravel stays loose, so it suits decorative areas and drainage rather than load-bearing bases. Ask your supplier which product is sold for your purpose.
For a driveway or base, compact in layers and allow for the material settling. For a path or planting bed, a landscape fabric underneath helps stop weeds and stops the gravel mixing into the soil.
Gravel calculator in square feet or square metres
If you have the area in square feet or square metres, choose I know the area and enter it with the depth. A trench or French drain works too: use its length times its width as the area. For example, a 50 ft trench 1 ft wide and 18 inches deep needs 2.78 cubic yards before waste, or 3.06 with 10%.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 1.3 to 1.5 short tons depending on the stone and moisture. This calculator defaults to 2,700 lb per cubic yard and lets you change it.
How deep should gravel be?
It depends on use. Decorative paths and ground cover are often 2–3 inches (5–8 cm). Driveways and bases under pavers are commonly deeper, 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) or more. Follow your project's specifications.
How much extra gravel should I buy?
10% is a reasonable starting point to allow for compaction and uneven ground. Increase it for soft subgrade.
Why is my supplier's weight different?
Bulk density varies with stone type, size and moisture. Enter the density your supplier quotes for the best match.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, one short ton is about 20 cubic feet. That covers roughly 80 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 60 square feet at 4 inches.
Is gravel sold by the ton or the yard?
Both are used. Some suppliers sell by weight and others by volume, so ask which one they quote and what density they assume, then compare the totals in this calculator.
How much gravel do I need for a French drain?
Multiply the trench length, width and depth. A trench 50 ft long, 1 ft wide and 18 inches deep needs 2.78 cubic yards, or about 3.1 cubic yards with 10% extra, which is roughly 4.1 tons.
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Results are estimates for planning only. Supplier specifications, product yields, site conditions and local codes vary. Confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified professional before you buy or build.