How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Gravel is measured by volume but usually sold by weight, so there are two steps:
Cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard (about 1.4)
Worked example. A 30 × 3 ft pea gravel path is 90 sq ft. At 3 in deep that’s 90 × 3 ÷ 324 = 0.83 cubic yards, or 22.5 cubic feet. At 1.4 tons a yard, the path needs about 1.2 tons. In 0.5 cu ft bags it’s 45 bags.
Suppliers usually sell in half-ton or full-ton steps, so the calculator rounds your bulk order up to the next half ton.
| Depth | One cubic yard covers | One ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 116 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 77 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 58 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 39 sq ft |
Weight Depends on the Stone
HomeGuide puts a cubic yard of stone at 1.4–1.5 tons. That’s a reasonable starting point for pea gravel, crushed stone, and river rock. Dense base material like crusher run sits at the top of that range. Moisture adds weight too, so stone sitting in a wet yard weighs more than the same stone dry.
The calculator fills in a typical weight when you pick a stone type. If your supplier quotes a different number, type it in; it’s the one that matters for your order.
Bags or Bulk?
Bagged gravel is expensive per yard: at $5 for a 0.5 cu ft bag, a cubic yard in bags costs $270. In bulk the same yard is about $50 at $36 a ton. Unless your project is tiny, bulk wins quickly, even with a delivery fee. Bags make sense for a small patch, a planter, or topping up an existing path.
Gravel is heavy. A ton is around 39 bags at roughly 50 lb each, so if you’re buying bags, plan the trips.
Compaction and Depth
Loose, rounded stone like pea gravel doesn’t compact much. Crushed stone and crusher run lock together when they’re compacted, so the finished layer ends up thinner than the loose stone you started with. If you’ll run a plate compactor over it, ask your supplier how much extra to order and enter it under Extra for compaction.
For driveways and anything that carries weight, the depth is the sum of the layers: a base of crushed stone plus a top layer. Enter the total, or run the calculator once per layer if the layers are different stone.
How to Measure
Measure length and width in feet. For curved paths, split the path into straight sections and add each as an area. For round pads, use the circle shape and measure across the middle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Gravel Weigh?
Most gravel and crushed stone weighs about 1.4–1.5 tons (2,800–3,000 lb) per cubic yard. Wet stone and denser rock weigh more, so ask your supplier for the number they use.How Many Tons of Gravel Do I Need?
Work out cubic yards (square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324), then multiply by your stone’s weight per yard, usually 1.4. A 90 sq ft path at 3 in is 0.83 yd³, or about 1.2 tons.How Many Bags of Gravel Are in a Ton?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton of gravel is about 19 cubic feet, or roughly 39 bags of 0.5 cu ft.How Much Does Gravel Cost?
Bulk gravel typically runs $10–$50 a ton. Pea gravel is about $28–$45, crusher run $24–$34, and river rock $45–$130. Bags are about $2–$6 each, and delivery is often $10–$25 a ton or free above a minimum order.Sources
Prices are national ballparks checked October 2026. Local prices vary.