Gravel & Crushed Stone Calculator
Convert driveway and pathway dimensions into bulk cubic yards, US tons, and 50-lb bagged stone.
Dimensions & Material Type
Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion Chart
Multiply cubic yards by the material's bulk density to get US short tons. These are the same densities the calculator above uses. The calculator also adds a 5% waste allowance, so add about 5% to these figures when ordering.
| Cubic Yards | Crushed Stone (1.40 t/yd³) | Pea Gravel (1.35 t/yd³) | River Rock (1.50 t/yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 1.40 tons | 1.35 tons | 1.50 tons |
| 2 yd³ | 2.80 tons | 2.70 tons | 3.00 tons |
| 3 yd³ | 4.20 tons | 4.05 tons | 4.50 tons |
| 5 yd³ | 7.00 tons | 6.75 tons | 7.50 tons |
| 10 yd³ | 14.00 tons | 13.50 tons | 15.00 tons |
How Much Area Does a Ton of Gravel Cover?
One ton of standard crushed stone (1.40 tons per cubic yard) is about 0.71 cubic yards of material. Spread at different depths, it covers:
| Spread Depth | Area per Ton | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | ~115 sq ft | Garden path top-dressing |
| 3 inches | ~77 sq ft | Driveway surface layer |
| 4 inches | ~58 sq ft | Sub-base layer |
| 6 inches | ~39 sq ft | Heavy-use driveway base |
A typical 6-yard dump truck load is roughly 8.4 tons of crushed stone — enough to cover about 650 sq ft at a 3-inch depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons of gravel are in 1 cubic yard?
Standard crushed stone and gravel weigh approximately 2,800 pounds (1.4 US short tons) per cubic yard. Pea gravel weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons) per cubic yard.
How deep should driveway gravel be?
A standard residential gravel driveway requires a 4 to 6-inch base layer of coarse crushed stone (#2 or #3 crusher run) topped with a 2 to 3-inch surface layer of smaller #57 gravel or pea gravel.
How many 50-lb bags of gravel make 1 ton?
One US short ton equals 2,000 pounds. It takes exactly 40 bags of 50-pound gravel to make 1 ton.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
One ton of standard crushed stone equals about 0.71 cubic yards (2,000 lb ÷ 2,800 lb per cubic yard). Pea gravel works out to roughly 0.74 cubic yards per ton, and dense river rock to about 0.67 cubic yards per ton.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
One ton of crushed stone covers roughly 115 sq ft at a 2-inch depth, 77 sq ft at 3 inches, or 58 sq ft at 4 inches. For a 4 to 6-inch driveway base layer, plan on 40 to 58 sq ft per ton.