Gravel Calculator

Calculate tons of gravel needed for driveways, paths, and projects by area and depth.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: HomeAdvisor

ft
ft
in
Gravel Type

Cubic Yards

2.5

Tons Needed

3.5

Estimated Cost

$178.70

Gravel Calculation

Coverage Area200 sq ft
Volume66.7 cu ft
Cubic Yards2.5
Tons Needed3.5
Material Cost ($30/ton)$103.70
Delivery (~1 load)$75.00
Total Estimated Cost$178.70

Gravel Pricing Guide

Pea Gravel: $35/ton

Crushed Stone: $30/ton

River Rock: $45/ton

Delivery: typically $50-$100 per truckload (~20 tons/load)

Use the Gravel Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Gravel is ordered by the ton, and a good estimate keeps a driveway or garden path from turning into an overspend. That matters more in 2026, with material prices in flux and a ton of gravel averaging $35-$50 depending on type and location. A tight number means you buy just enough to finish the job cleanly.

Everything starts with volume and ends in weight. Area comes from length times width, multiplied by your chosen depth to give the total cubic feet needed. That volume divides by gravel's approximate density, generally 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, or 1.35 tons per cubic yard, to produce the tonnage.

Add a 5-10% buffer for settling, compaction, and the small discrepancies that show up in any delivery. Depth is the usual blind spot, particularly on high-traffic surfaces like driveways, which need at least 4-6 inches to stay stable. Densities also shift a little from one gravel type to another, so treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact weight.

Example: Gravel Driveway Project

  1. 1 Input: A driveway that is 50 feet long by 12 feet wide, with a desired gravel depth of 4 inches (0.33 feet).
  2. 2 Calculation: Area = 50 ft * 12 ft = 600 sq ft. Volume = 600 sq ft * 0.33 ft = 198 cubic feet. Since 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, this is 198 / 27 = 7.33 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, this equals 7.33 * 1.35 = 9.9 tons.
  3. 3 Result: You will need approximately 10 tons of gravel for your driveway project.
  4. 4 Context: Considering a 10% buffer, it would be wise to order around 11 tons. At an average 2026 price of $40 per ton, this project would cost approximately $440 for the gravel alone.

Source: HomeAdvisor · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tons of gravel do I need for my driveway?
A typical single-car driveway (10x50 feet at 4 inches deep) needs about 6-7 tons of gravel. Multiply length x width x depth (in feet), divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 for tons (gravel weighs about 2,800 lbs per cubic yard).
How much does a ton of gravel cost in 2026?
Gravel costs $15-75 per ton depending on type and location. Basic crushed stone runs $15-30 per ton, pea gravel $25-50, and decorative river rock $50-75. Delivery typically adds $50-150 per load.
What size gravel is best for a driveway?
Use a three-layer approach: 4-inch crushed stone (#3 or #4) as the base, 2-3 inches of #57 stone in the middle, and a 2-inch top layer of #411 or crusher run that compacts into a firm surface.

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