Gravel calculator — tons, cubic yards & cost
Gravel is sold by the ton or cubic yard: length × width × depth gives volume, and crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 50 × 10 ft driveway topped at 4 in needs ~8.6 tons of #57. Pick your material and dimensions for exact quantities and August 2026 cost estimates.
Your estimate
Bulk delivery is the economical route at this size — most suppliers have a 1-ton minimum.
Common gravel projects, worked out
| Project | Cubic yards | Tons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway top-up · 50 × 10 ft · 4 in · #57 | 6.17 yd³ | 8.6 | Open › |
| New driveway base · 100 × 12 ft · 6 in · crusher run | 22.2 yd³ | 33.3 (~38 compacted) | Open › |
| Slab base · 20 × 20 ft · 4 in · crusher run | 4.94 yd³ | 7.4 (~8.5 compacted) | Open › |
| Patio base · 12 × 16 ft · 4 in · crusher run | 2.37 yd³ | 3.6 (~4.1 compacted) | Open › |
| Pea-gravel patio · 10 × 10 ft · 3 in | 0.93 yd³ | 1.3 | Open › |
| Walkway · 30 × 3 ft · 3 in · pea gravel | 0.83 yd³ | 1.2 | Open › |
| French drain · 25 ft × 1 ft × 12 in deep · #57 | 0.93 yd³ | 1.3 | Open › |
| River-rock bed · 20 × 4 ft · 3 in | 0.74 yd³ | 1.0 | Open › |
How this calculator works
Volume: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Weight: yards × material density — we use 1.4 tons/yd³ for crushed #57 and pea gravel, 1.5 for road base/crusher run, 1.35 for river rock and sand (typical dry delivery weights; moisture and source rock shift these ±10%). Compaction: base layers compact roughly 15% — order the allowance, not the finished volume. Coverage: sq ft per ton = 324 ÷ (depth × density).
Prices: August 2026 delivered-market ranges per ton — road base $18–$30, crushed #57 $25–$55, pea gravel $30–$65, river rock $50–$85; Bulk delivery typically adds $50–$200 depending on distance; areas far from quarries can run $20–40/ton higher. Source: HomeGuide gravel cost data. National ranges — your local quarry quote decides.
Common questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Most crushed stone weighs 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard (2,800–3,000 lb). Pea gravel runs ~1.4 tons/yd³ and river rock ~1.35. Suppliers sell by the ton or the yard — this calculator gives both.
How much gravel do I need for a 50-foot driveway?
A 50 × 10 ft driveway topped with 4 in of #57 stone needs 6.17 cubic yards ≈ 8.6 tons. A brand-new driveway wants 6–8 in total: ~4 in of compacted road base plus a 2–3 in #57 wearing course.
How deep should driveway gravel be?
Top-ups: 2–3 in. New driveways: 6–8 in total, placed in two lifts — compacted base first, then the surface stone. Soft or wet ground needs more base (and sometimes fabric underneath).
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
Coverage (sq ft) = 324 ÷ (depth in inches × density). One ton of #57 covers about 116 sq ft at 2 in, 77 sq ft at 3 in, or 58 sq ft at 4 in.
What gravel goes under a concrete slab?
Typically 4 in of compacted road base or crusher run; #57 is used where drainage matters. Size the slab itself with our concrete slab calculator.
How much does gravel cost in 2026?
Typical delivered-market ranges: road base $18–$30/ton, crushed #57 $25–$55, pea gravel $30–$65, river rock $50–$85. Bulk delivery adds ~$50–$200 by distance.