How much gravel do I need for 100 square feet?

At a 3-inch depth: 100 × 0.25 = 25 ft³ = 0.93 yd³ ≈ 1.3 tons of common gravel. Halve it for 1.5 inches, double for 6. With a 10% allowance, order 1.5 tons.

How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?

Loose common gravel: about 1.42 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lb). Pea gravel runs lighter (~1.3), compacted crusher run heavier (~1.9). That spread is why the calculator asks for the type — density is the whole game.

Should I order gravel by the ton or by the yard?

Quarries scale-weigh trucks, so tons is the precise unit; landscape yards often sell loose cubic yards by the bucket. Get both numbers from the calculator and compare quotes in whichever unit each supplier uses — the conversion chart covers the math.

How deep should gravel be?

Walkways: 2–3 in over compacted base. Patios and pads: 3–4 in. Driveways: 8–12 in total in layers (see the driveway calculator). Drainage applications: whatever the pipe design calls for, typically 4–6 in around the pipe.

Does the calculator account for compaction?

The type dropdown handles it: loose materials use loose density, and crusher run uses its compacted density since bases are always compacted. For a detailed loose-vs-in-place breakdown, the crushed stone calculator reports both volumes.

How much does a truckload of gravel cover?

A 14-ton tandem load is about 10 loose cubic yards — roughly 800 ft² at 4 inches or 1,600 ft² at 2 inches. One load handles most residential top-ups; new driveways typically need two to four.

Gravel

Gravel Calculator

Length × width × depth × the right density. Six material presets cover pea gravel to compacted crusher run — pick honestly, because density varies 45% across them.

Gravel Calculator

Tons and cubic yards for any gravel or crushed stone type. Pick the material — the right density is applied automatically.

Quick answer

How much gravel do I need for a 10×10 area?

A 10×10 ft area at the common 3-inch depth needs about 1.44 tons (1.02 yd³) of common gravel with a 10% waste allowance. A 20×20 ft area at the same depth needs roughly 5.8 tons.

Rule of thumb:: One ton of common gravel covers about 76 ft² at 3 in deep.
Formula:: Tons = Area × depth × density ÷ 2,000 × (1 + waste)

Gravel by common area size

3 in depth, common gravel (105 lb/ft³), 10% waste included. Cost uses the $15–30/ton crusher-run-equivalent range from our gravel price guide — exact pricing varies by material type.
Area	Tons (common gravel)	Volume (yd³)	Est. material cost
10×10 ft	1.44 tons	1.02 yd³	$22–43
12×12 ft	2.08 tons	1.47 yd³	$31–62
16×20 ft	4.61 tons	3.26 yd³	$69–138
20×20 ft	5.77 tons	4.07 yd³	$87–173
24×24 ft	8.31 tons	5.87 yd³	$125–249

The gravel formula

Formula

Tons = Area (ft²) × (depth ÷ 12) × density ÷ 2,000 × (1 + waste)

Area: length × width (ft²)
depth: placed depth (inches)
density: loose bulk density by type (lb/ft³)

Same takeoff discipline as concrete and asphalt — only the density line changes. All type densities live in the gravel density database.

If you estimate more than one material, notice the pattern: the concrete calculator multiplies by 150 lb/ft³, the asphalt calculator by 145, and gravel by 96–140 depending on type. One method, three materials — the full walkthrough is in how to calculate gravel.

Worked example: parking pad on soft ground

Worked example

A 20 × 30 ft parking pad: 4 in of #57 stone over soft, grassy subgrade.

1
Area
20 × 30 = 600 ft²
2
Volume
600 × (4 ÷ 12) = 200 ft³
3
Weight at 100 lb/ft³
200 × 100 = 20,000 lb = 10 tons
4
Soft ground: add 15%
10 × 1.15 = 11.5 tons

Result: Order 12 tons — one tandem load. Strip the sod first or the first third disappears into the mud.

Ordering mistakes to avoid

Density quick reference

The five densities behind the dropdown. The full 20-material table is in the density database.

Loose bulk densities per ASTM C29 typical values. Compare with concrete (2,400 kg/m³) and asphalt (2,322).
Material	kg/m³	lb/ft³	t/m³
Pea gravel (loose)3/8 in rounded; pours and flows	1,540	96.1	1.54
Common gravel, dry (loose)The 1.4 t/yd³ estimating standard	1,680	104.9	1.68
Gravel, wetRain adds ~10–15% to scale weight	1,920	119.9	1.92
Crushed stone #57 (loose)3/4–1 in angular, self-locking	1,600	99.9	1.6
Crushed stone #57 (compacted)	1,750	109.2	1.75
Crusher run / road base (loose)Stone + fines blend	2,000	124.9	2
Crusher run / road base (compacted)140 lb/ft³ — matches DGA under asphalt	2,240	139.8	2.24

Frequently asked questions

Gravel guides

How to Calculate GravelArea × depth × density, step by step.Guide Gravel Density ChartUnit weights for every common gravel type.Chart Gravel Coverage GuideWhat a ton — and a yard — actually covers.Guide Gravel Weight ChartPounds and tons per yard, foot and meter.Chart Gravel Volume FormulaThe math, with every unit trap flagged.Guide Gravel Measurement GuideMeasuring real sites, including irregular areas.Guide Gravel FAQThe questions everyone asks before ordering.FAQ

Reference charts

Gravel Density Database Gravel Size Chart

Estimating other materials?

Sources & references

[1]ASTM C29/C29M: Bulk Density (Unit Weight) and Voids in Aggregate — ASTM International, 2017
[2]ASTM D448: Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate — ASTM International, 2017
[3]The Aggregates Handbook, 2nd ed. — National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, 2013