How Many Tons of Gravel Do I Need?
Quick answer: cubic yards × ~1.4 tons per yard. A 20×10 driveway with 4 inches of gravel is 2.5 cubic yards ≈ 3.5 tons. Weight per yard varies by material — check the supplier's spec.
- Yards first, then tons
- Weight per yard by material
- Driveway depth
- Tonnage by project size
- Ordering by the ton
- Worked example: 20×10 driveway
- FAQ
Yards first, then tons
Compute the volume in cubic yards (area × depth in feet ÷ 27), then convert to tons with the material weight. Gravel is delivered by the ton, so the yard-to-ton conversion is the number you actually order.
Weight per yard by material
Standard gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel runs 1.2–1.4 tons/yard; crushed stone 1.4–1.6 tons/yard. The supplier's spec sheet is authoritative — the difference between 1.2 and 1.6 tons/yard changes a 10-yard order by 4 tons.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 1.2–1.4 |
| Standard gravel | ~1.4 |
| Crushed stone | 1.4–1.6 |
| River rock | 1.5–1.8 |
Driveway depth
A gravel driveway is built in layers: 4 inches of base stone plus 2 inches of top gravel — about 6 inches total. Light-duty paths use 2–3 inches. Depth is the multiplier that makes a yard-count jump, so measure it, don't guess it.
Tonnage by project size
At 4 inches deep (0.33 ft), each 100 sq ft of coverage needs about 1.23 cubic yards ≈ 1.7 tons. A 200-sq-ft area ≈ 3.4 tons; a 500-sq-ft area ≈ 8.5 tons. Scale linearly with area at the same depth.
Ordering by the ton
Most suppliers bill by the ton and load by the ton. Convert yards to tons, then round up to the next delivery increment (often half-ton or full-ton). Add 5–10% for settling and spreading loss — gravel compacts noticeably in the first weeks.
Worked example: a 20×10 driveway, 4 inches deep
- Area = 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume = 200 × 0.33 = 66 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.44 cu yd
- × 1.4 tons/yd = 3.4 tons
- + 10% settling → order 4 tons
FAQ
Calculate the volume in cubic yards, then multiply by the gravel weight — typically 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 20×10 driveway with 4 inches of gravel is 2.5 cubic yards, or about 3.5 tons.
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for most gravel. Pea gravel runs 1.2–1.4 tons, crushed stone 1.4–1.6 tons. Check the supplier's spec sheet.
About 2.5 cubic yards for 4 inches of gravel. Volume = 20 × 10 × 0.33 = 66 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.44 yards. That's roughly 3.5 tons.
A gravel driveway is typically built in layers: 4 inches of base stone, then 2 inches of top gravel (6 inches total). Light-duty paths use 2–3 inches.
Order by the ton — that's how most suppliers bill deliveries. Convert cubic yards to tons using the material weight, and round up to the next delivery increment.