How Much Gravel Do I Need? (Coverage by Depth)
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
Gravel needed (yd³) = length ft × width ft × (depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27. One cubic yard covers about 108 ft² at 3 inches deep, or 162 ft² at 2 inches. To order by weight, multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to get tons. Example: a 300 ft² area at 3 inches needs ≈2.8 yd³, or about 3.9 tons.
Estimating gravel comes down to three numbers: the area you're covering, how deep the gravel goes, and the unit you order in (cubic yards or tons). The math is the same for any clean stone, crusher run or pea gravel.
The formula
- Cubic yards = length ft × width ft × (depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per yard).
- Add about 5–10% extra for spread, compaction and uneven ground.
Coverage per cubic yard by depth
| Depth | Coverage per yard | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² | Top-dressing |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | Decorative beds, paths |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | Standard surface layer |
| 4 in | 81 ft² | Driveway surface |
| 6 in | 54 ft² | Driveway base / heavy use |
How much for a typical job
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 3 in | 0.93 yd³ | ~1.3 tons |
| 300 ft² | 3 in | 2.8 yd³ | ~3.9 tons |
| 500 ft² | 4 in | 6.2 yd³ | ~8.7 tons |
| 600 ft² driveway | 6 in | 11.1 yd³ | ~15.5 tons |
Shortcut: coverage in ft² = 324 ÷ depth in inches. Enter your area and depth in the gravel calculator and it returns both cubic yards and tons, with your supplier's price for a material estimate.
FAQs
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Find the cubic yards first (area × depth ÷ 27), then multiply by about 1.4 — a cubic yard of crushed gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons. So 5 yd³ is about 7 tons.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Plan a total depth of 4–6 inches (more in layers for heavy use). A 600 ft² driveway at 6 inches needs about 11 cubic yards, or roughly 15.5 tons of stone.
How much does a yard of gravel cover?
About 108 ft² at 3 inches deep, 162 ft² at 2 inches, or 81 ft² at 4 inches. Coverage equals 324 ÷ the depth in inches.