Gravel & Landscape Calculator

Estimate cubic yards, tons and bags of gravel, rock or mulch from any area and depth.

How the gravel estimate works

Volume is area (length x width) times depth converted from inches to feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material density to get tons. Bags are counted at a standard 0.5 cubic feet each.

Cu ft = length x width x (depth / 12)
Cu yards = cu ft / 27
Tons = cu yards x material density

Choosing depth by job

Two to three inches is plenty for decorative beds and pathways where you mostly want coverage. Driveways and the base under pavers need 4-6 inches of compacted crushed stone to spread load and stop sinking. More depth also shades soil and cuts weed growth.

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Use cases

Pathways - 2-3 inches of pea gravel over landscape fabric.
French drains - use clean crushed stone; depth follows your trench plan.
Garden beds - mulch at 2-3 inches to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Paver base - 4-6 inches of compacted stone under the bedding layer.

Density cheat sheet

Pea gravel and river rock sit near 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Angular crushed stone is denser at 1.5-1.6. Bark mulch is light at 0.7-0.9. If your supplier quotes by the yard, you rarely need the ton figure; if they quote by the ton, the ton figure is the one to trust.

Frequently asked questions

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?

A cubic yard of typical gravel weighs about 1.4 short tons. Denser crushed stone can reach 1.5-1.6 tons, while lightweight mulch is under 1 ton per yard.

How deep should landscape gravel be?

Walkways and decorative beds are usually 2-3 inches. Driveways and base layers need 4-6 inches of compacted crushed stone. Deeper layers suppress weeds better.

Estimates only. Compaction and moisture change real weight. Confirm with your supplier.

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Getting gravel depth and quantity right

How to use this calculator

Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
Choose a depth: 2 inches for decorative top dressing, 4 inches for walkways, and 6–8 inches for driveways that carry vehicles.
Convert depth from inches to feet (divide by 12), multiply by the area to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Convert to tons if your supplier prices by weight: one cubic yard of typical crushed stone weighs roughly 1.3–1.4 tons.
Add 5–10% extra to compensate for compaction and uneven subgrade.

Quick reference

Project	Recommended depth	Notes
Decorative border / mulch substitute	2 in	Landscape fabric underneath helps
Walkway	4 in	Compact in layers for a firm surface
Driveway top layer	4 in	Over a compacted 4-in base
Full driveway (new)	6–8 in	Compact in two lifts
Drainage / French trench	Trench-dependent	Wrap stone in fabric, keep fines out

Pro tips

Angular crushed stone locks together and stays put; rounded pea gravel shifts underfoot, so it suits borders more than driveways.
Size matters: 3/4-inch minus (with fines) compacts well for driveways, while clean 1½-inch stone drains better in trenches.
A cubic yard at 3 inches deep covers about 108 square feet — a useful sanity check on your math.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my gravel disappear or sink?

Gravel gradually works into soft soil without a compacted base or fabric separator. Adding geotextile fabric and a compacted base layer prevents most sinking.

How many tons are in a yard of gravel?

Crushed stone runs about 1.3–1.4 tons per cubic yard; lighter rounded gravels closer to 1.2. Your supplier's spec sheet is the definitive number.

Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?

In decorative beds and paths, fabric sharply reduces weed growth and keeps stone from mixing into soil. Under driveways, geotextile separates stone from soft subgrade and extends the life of the surface.