How much does gravel weigh?
The calculator assumes about 100 pounds per cubic foot, which is roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Real gravel ranges from about 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on the stone, its size and how wet it is. If your supplier gives you a figure for their gravel, use it to check the weight shown here.
How deep should gravel be?
| Use | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in |
| Patio or shed base | 4 in |
| Driveway | 4–6 in, laid and compacted in layers |
| Drainage trench | to the depth of the trench |
Driveways usually have a coarse base layer under a finer top layer. Work each layer out separately with its own depth.
Yards or tons?
Landscape yards often sell gravel by the cubic yard, while quarries sell by the ton. Use whichever unit your supplier quotes. Compacted gravel settles, so the waste allowance also covers the extra needed to reach the finished depth.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Usually between 1.2 and 1.5 tons. This calculator uses about 1.35 tons per cubic yard as a middle value.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, a ton covers roughly 100 to 120 square feet, depending on the stone. At 4 inches it covers about half that.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
On paths and beds, a weed membrane under the gravel slows weeds and stops the stones sinking into the soil. Driveways usually rely on a compacted base layer instead.