How Much Gravel Do I Need? (Calculator + Coverage Charts)

A 10×10-foot area (100 sq ft) needs 16.7 cubic feet of gravel at 2 inches deep — about 0.62 cubic yards or 0.8 tons. At 4 inches deep (for a driveway), you need 33.3 cu ft (1.23 cu yd, about 1.7 tons). Use our free gravel calculator for instant results with any area size.

A cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) for most types including crushed stone, pea gravel, and river rock. Lava rock is much lighter at about 1,350 lbs per cubic yard (0.68 tons). Moisture content can increase weight by 10–20%, so always confirm with your supplier.

A gravel driveway should be 4–6 inches deep. Best practice: lay a 4-inch base of crushed #2 stone, then top with 2 inches of smaller crushed stone (#57 or #411). Compact each layer with a plate compactor. For light vehicle traffic, 4 inches total may suffice. For heavy use or soft soil, go with a full 6 inches.

Bulk gravel costs $30–$65 per ton depending on type and location. Pea gravel and crushed stone are cheapest at $30–$50/ton. River rock and marble chips are more expensive at $40–$65/ton. Delivery typically adds $50–$100 per load within 10–20 miles. In bags, the equivalent cost per ton is $150–$300+ — far more expensive.

At 2 inches deep, one ton covers about 120 square feet. At 3 inches deep, it covers about 80 square feet. At 4 inches, it covers about 60 square feet. Coverage varies by gravel type due to different densities. Our calculator computes exact coverage based on the gravel type you select.

Bulk is dramatically cheaper for anything over half a ton. Bagged gravel costs $150–$300+ per ton equivalent, while bulk runs $30–$65 per ton plus delivery ($50–$100). For a 300 sq ft driveway at 4 inches deep (about 5 tons), bags cost $750–$1,500 vs $200–$425 in bulk — that's a 50–80% savings.

Crushed stone (#57 or #411) is the best gravel for driveways. Its angular edges interlock and compact firmly under vehicle traffic. Use larger crushed #2 stone as a base layer. Avoid pea gravel for driveways — the rounded stones shift and scatter, creating ruts and requiring constant raking.

Yes — landscape fabric is highly recommended under any decorative gravel installation. Without it, gravel sinks into soil within 1–2 years, weed seeds germinate through the gravel, and you'll need expensive top-ups. For driveways, use heavy-duty geotextile fabric to prevent base stone from mixing with subsoil.

A 0.5 cubic foot bag of pea gravel weighs approximately 48 lbs. A 1 cubic foot bag weighs about 96 lbs. Larger bags (typically sold as 50 lb bags) are common at home improvement stores. Pea gravel weighs about 96 lbs per cubic foot, making it one of the denser gravel types.

Pea gravel is small (3/8 inch), naturally rounded, and smooth — ideal for patios, paths, and between pavers. It's comfortable to walk on but shifts easily. Crushed stone is angular with sharp edges that interlock and compact firmly — much better for driveways and structural bases. Crushed stone is also typically cheaper.

For a circle: Area = π × (diameter ÷ 2)². Then multiply by depth in feet to get cubic feet. For example, an 8-foot fire pit ring at 2 inches deep: Area = 3.14 × 4² = 50.3 sq ft. Volume = 50.3 × 0.167 = 8.4 cu ft. Weight = about 800 lbs (0.4 tons). Our calculator handles circles automatically.

A typical French drain trench is 6 inches wide and 18–24 inches deep, filled with 6–8 inches of washed gravel. For a 50-foot long French drain: 50 ft × 0.5 ft × 0.67 ft = 16.7 cu ft of gravel (about 0.62 cu yd, or 0.8 tons). Use clean, washed #57 stone — never use stone with fines (dust) as it clogs the drain over time.