Gravel Needed
3.33 tons
Area
200.0 sq ft
Cubic Yds
2.47
Cost
$167
Typical: 100 lbs/cu ft
3.33 tons
2.47
200.0 sq ft
$167
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Gravel needed = Length × Width × Depth (in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Then multiply by density to get tons. For 200 sq ft at 4" deep: 200 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 2.5 cubic yards ≈ 3.4 tons.
Gravel weighs about 1.35-1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on type. Pea gravel: 1.35 tons/yard, Crushed stone: 1.4 tons/yard, River rock: 1.5 tons/yard.
| Gravel Type | Weight per yd³ | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (3/8") | ~1.35 tons | Walkways, landscaping, drainage |
| Crushed Stone #57 | ~1.4 tons | Driveways, base layers |
| Decomposed Granite | ~1.35 tons | Pathways, patios |
| River Rock (1–3") | ~1.5 tons | Decorative borders, dry creek beds |
Driveway gravel should be 4-6 inches deep. Base layer: 4" of crushed stone, top layer: 2-3" of finer gravel. Total depth of 6-9 inches provides stable surface.
Gravel costs $30-75 per ton delivered, depending on type. Pea gravel: $30-50/ton, Crushed stone: $35-60/ton, Decorative gravel: $50-100/ton. Delivery adds $50-100.
| Gravel Type | Cost per Ton | Cost per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | $30–$50 | $40–$68 |
| Crushed Stone | $35–$60 | $49–$84 |
| Decomposed Granite | $35–$55 | $47–$74 |
| Decorative / River Rock | $50–$150 | $75–$225 |
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Inputs
Result
Area = 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft. Volume = 200 × (4/12) = 66.67 cu ft. Cubic yards = 66.67 / 27 = 2.47. Tons = (66.67 × 100) / 2000 = 3.33 tons. Cost = 3.33 × $50 = $167.
Inputs
Result
Area = 15 × 12 = 180 sq ft. Volume = 180 × (6/12) = 90 cu ft. Cubic yards = 90 / 27 = 3.33. Tons = (90 × 100) / 2000 = 4.50 tons. Cost = 4.50 × $50 = $225.
Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × (Depth / 12)Calculates volume in cubic feet from area dimensions and depth in inches.
Where:
Length= Area length in feetWidth= Area width in feetDepth= Gravel depth in inches (divided by 12 to convert to feet)Cubic Yards = Volume (cu ft) / 27Converts cubic feet to cubic yards (27 cu ft per yard).
Where:
27= Cubic feet in one cubic yardTons = (Volume × Density) / 2000Converts volume and density to US tons.
Where:
Density= Material density in lbs per cubic foot (default 100)2000= Pounds per US tonA standard 10×20-foot single-car driveway at 4 inches deep requires roughly 2.5 cubic yards—about 3.4 tons of crushed stone at $50/ton, totaling $170 in material alone. The core formula multiplies length × width × depth (converted to feet) to get cubic feet, then divides by 27 for cubic yards. Weight follows by multiplying volume by the material’s density and dividing by 2,000 lbs/ton.
Density is the variable most DIYers overlook. Pea gravel weighs roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard, while river rock hits 1.5 tons per yard—an 11% difference that changes both cost and delivery capacity. A 10-ton dump truck holds about 7 cubic yards of crushed stone but only 6.7 yards of heavier river rock.
Always add 10–15% on top of your calculated volume for compaction, spillage, and edge loss. For irregularly shaped areas, break the space into rectangles using the square footage calculator, sum the volumes, and apply the waste factor to the total.
| Gravel Type | Density (tons/yd³) | Cost/Ton | 10×20 ft at 4" Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 1.35 | $30–$50 | $135–$170 |
| Crushed Stone #57 | 1.40 | $35–$60 | $155–$210 |
| Decomposed Granite | 1.35 | $35–$55 | $145–$190 |
| River Rock | 1.50 | $50–$150 | $250–$510 |
Crushed stone #57 (3/4-inch angular pieces) is the most popular driveway gravel because it interlocks under compaction, creating a stable surface that resists tire ruts. A properly layered driveway uses 4 inches of #3 base stone, 2–3 inches of #57 fill, and 2 inches of #8 topping—totaling 8–9 inches and approximately 8.5 tons for a 10×20 ft area.
Pea gravel (3/8-inch rounded stones) works best for walkways, drainage projects, and decorative beds because it drains rapidly at 15+ inches per hour. However, it shifts underfoot and migrates without edging—budget an extra $2–$4/linear foot for steel or plastic borders.
Decomposed granite (DG) compacts to a near-solid surface at $35–$55/ton, making it the go-to for patios and pathways in dry climates. In rainy regions, DG erodes quickly without a stabilizer resin ($0.50–$1.00/sq ft extra).
Tip: For driveways, always compact each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next. Skipping compaction causes 2–3 inches of settling within the first year.
Bulk delivery (5+ tons) typically costs 15–25% less per ton than buying individual bags from a big-box store. A 50-lb bag at $5.50 works out to $220/ton, while bulk crushed stone from a landscape yard runs $35–$60/ton—a savings of $160+ per ton on large projects.
Delivery fees average $50–$100 for the first 10 miles, plus $5–$10 per mile beyond that. Most dump trucks carry 10–15 tons per load, so a 200 sq ft patio at 6 inches deep (4.5 tons) fits in a single delivery. Ordering just under the truck’s capacity maximizes value per trip.
Self-pickup saves the delivery fee but requires a truck rated for the payload. One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs roughly 2,800 lbs—exceeding the bed capacity of most half-ton pickups. A 3/4-ton truck safely handles 1 yard per trip.
Accurate estimation prevents both costly overorders and frustrating mid-project shortages. A 12×15 ft patio at 6 inches deep needs 3.33 cubic yards (4.5 tons of crushed stone)—follow these steps to replicate the math for any area.
For curved or irregular layouts, overlay a grid of 3×3 ft squares on the area, count full and partial squares, and multiply by depth. This grid method typically gets within 5% of the true volume without complex geometry.
Measure the area
Record length and width in feet. For a 12×15 ft patio, the area is 180 sq ft. Irregular shapes: break into rectangles and sum.
Set the depth
Convert inches to feet: 6 inches = 0.5 ft. Driveways need 4–6 inches; walkways need 2–3 inches; drainage beds need 6–12 inches.
Calculate volume
Multiply area × depth: 180 × 0.5 = 90 cu ft. Divide by 27 for cubic yards: 90 / 27 = 3.33 yd³.
Convert to weight
Multiply volume by density: 90 cu ft × 100 lbs/cu ft = 9,000 lbs = 4.5 tons. Use the density for your specific gravel type.
Add waste factor and price
Add 10–15%: 4.5 × 1.10 = 4.95 tons. At $50/ton, materials cost about $248 before delivery.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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