Updated July 18, 2026
The numbers this calculator uses
| Constant | Value used here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 (fixed geometry) | n/a |
| Gravel density | 1.4 tons per cubic yard (crushed stone) | Omni gravel reference |
Washed river rock and lava rock weigh less than this; dense traprock weighs more. 1.4 is the middle-of-the-road number for standard crushed stone, which is what most driveway and base orders use.
How to measure the area
For a rectangle, multiply length by width. For an L-shaped drive, split it into two rectangles, work each out, and add them. Round circles and curves up to the rectangle that contains them; you want a little extra, not a little short. Measure depth from the compacted base, not from loose stone, since loose gravel settles once traffic and rain pack it down.
What actually happens behind the numbers
Volume = length × width × depth, converted to cubic yards (÷ 27). Gravel is sold by weight, so we multiply by 1.4, the typical tons per cubic yard for crushed stone, then multiply by your price per ton for a cost estimate.
The 1.4 ton factor is Omni Calculator's published density for crushed stone, and the cost range further down comes from HomeGuide's pricing survey. Our sourcing approach is on the editorial standards page.
Do I calculate gravel by volume or by weight?
Work out the volume in cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4. A cubic yard of clean crushed gravel weighs roughly 2,830 lb, or 1.4 tons, so that single factor turns volume into the weight your supplier actually bills you for.
Why weight and not volume? Pits and yards load by the scale ticket. Two piles of the same size can weigh differently depending on stone type and how wet it is, but for ordering, 1.4 tons per yard gets you close on standard crushed stone.
Doing the math on a driveway
Say you are graveling a driveway 40 feet long and 10 feet wide at 4 inches deep. Convert depth to feet first: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft. Then:
- Cubic feet: 40 × 10 × 0.333 = about 133 ft³
- Cubic yards: 133 ÷ 27 = about 4.94 yd³
- Tons: 4.94 × 1.4 = about 6.9 tons
At $40 per ton that is roughly $277 in material before delivery. Add 10 to 15 percent for compaction and edge loss and you would order about 7.5 to 8 tons. It is cheaper to round up by a fraction of a ton than to pay a second delivery fee for the last few wheelbarrows.
Coverage by depth
One ton of gravel spreads further when it is shallower. These figures assume standard crushed stone and a roughly even surface.
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2″ | about 80 to 100 ft² | decorative beds, top dressing |
| 3″ | about 65 ft² | walkways, paths |
| 4″ | about 50 ft² | driveways, base layers |
Common mistakes
- Ordering by the bag for anything over a yard or two. Bagged stone costs far more per ton than bulk delivery.
- Skipping the waste allowance. Aggregates settle and spill, so 10 to 15 percent extra is normal, not generous.
- Forgetting depth converts to feet. A 4 inch layer is 0.333 ft, not 4 in the volume math.
- Spreading deep lifts. Place and compact in 2 to 3 inch layers so the base actually locks up instead of rutting later.
Buying and delivery notes
Bulk crushed gravel commonly runs $25 to $60 per ton at the yard, with decorative and washed stone toward the top of that range. Delivery is usually a flat trip charge, so combining loads or splitting an order with a neighbor lowers the per-ton cost. Ask whether the quoted price is loaded weight or includes the truck, and confirm the stone size you want, since 3/4 inch minus packs tighter than open-graded #57.
Sources: Omni gravel reference, HomeGuide cost data.
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