Gravel calculator
Cubic yards and tons of gravel for a driveway, a path or a patio base.
A 10 × 40 ft driveway 4 in deep needs 4.94 cubic yards of gravel, about 7.01 tons.
Measure
You need
about 7.01 tons · 133.3 ft³ · 3.78 m³
Your shopping list
Priced by the ton
7.01 tonst
Short tons of 2,000 lb
Priced by the yard
4.94 yd³m³
Loose cubic yards
Type a price per ton and a price per cubic yard to see which quote is cheaper.
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How it is calculated
- Area40 ft × 10 ft = 400 ft²
- Volume400 ft² × 4/12 ft = 133.3 ft³
- Cubic yards133.3 ÷ 27 = 4.94 yd³
- Tons4.94 × 1.42 = 7.01 tons
Gravel for common areas
4 in deep, at 1.42 tons per cubic yard.
| Area | yd³ | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 1.23 | 1.75 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 2.47 | 3.51 |
| 12 × 24 ft | 3.56 | 5.05 |
| 10 × 40 ft | 4.94 | 7.01 |
| 12 × 50 ft | 7.41 | 10.52 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 4.94 | 7.01 |
| 20 × 40 ft | 9.88 | 14.02 |
| 24 × 50 ft | 14.81 | 21.04 |
2 in deep
| Area | yd³ | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 | 0.88 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 | 1.75 |
| 12 × 24 ft | 1.78 | 2.52 |
| 10 × 40 ft | 2.47 | 3.51 |
| 12 × 50 ft | 3.70 | 5.26 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 | 3.51 |
| 20 × 40 ft | 4.94 | 7.01 |
| 24 × 50 ft | 7.41 | 10.52 |
Tons per cubic yard by material
| Material | Tons per yd³ | yd³ per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¼ to 2 in) | 1.42 | 0.70 |
| Sand | 1.45 | 0.69 |
| Topsoil | 0.80 | 1.25 |
| Fill dirt | 0.80 | 1.25 |
| Crushed limestone | 1.30 | 0.77 |
| Flagstone | 1.30 | 0.77 |
| Base course | 1.25 | 0.80 |
| Riprap | 1.05 | 0.95 |
| Lava rock (scoria) | 0.48 | 2.11 |
| Clay | 1.10 | 0.91 |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
About 1.42 short tons per cubic yard for loose gravel ¼ to 2 inches, so one ton is about 0.70 cubic yards. Wet or finer gravel weighs more: ask your supplier for their figure and type it in "Tons per cubic yard".
How much gravel do I need for a 10 × 10 area?
At 4 inches deep, 100 ft² takes 33.3 cubic feet: 1.23 cubic yards, or about 1.75 tons of gravel.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 114 ft² at 2 inches deep and 57 ft² at 4 inches (one ton is 0.70 yd³ of gravel at 1.42 tons per yd³).
Should I buy gravel by the ton or by the yard?
Quarries and landscape suppliers price one or the other. Type both prices in the calculator: it converts your job to tons and yards and shows which is cheaper.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Multiply by the weight per cubic yard: tons = yd³ × 1.42 for gravel, × 1.30 for crushed limestone, × 1.45 for sand (New Mexico EMNRD, from the BLM handbook).