How to calculate gravel and sand for your project
Loose aggregate is estimated exactly like any other volume: measure the area you're covering in feet, decide how deep the layer will be in inches, and convert to cubic yards — the unit every gravel yard sells by. The wrinkle unique to gravel and sand is that suppliers often quote and deliver by the ton, not by the yard, so you need one more step: multiply the cubic yards by the material's density. Crushed stone, pea gravel, and sand each weigh a different amount per yard, which is why the calculator has a material dropdown rather than a single conversion. Measure to the outside edges of the area, use the depth of a single compacted layer, and keep a modest 5% waste allowance for spillage, settling into soft subgrade, and the last half-wheelbarrow that always disappears. If your supplier quotes in yards, use the yards figure; if they quote in tons, use the tons — both come from the same measurement.
From cubic yards to tons: the conversion, explained
Two formulas run in sequence — first geometry, then weight:
Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per yd³)
Worked example: a 20 × 10 ft parking pad topped with 3 inches of ¾" crushed stone is 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards. Add 5% waste to get 1.94 yards, then multiply by crushed stone's density of 1.40 tons per yard: order about 2.7 tons. Circular areas swap the first line for π × radius² × depth, with the radius in feet.
Material densities: why sand weighs more than gravel
Density depends on how tightly a material packs. Angular crushed stone locks together with air gaps; fine sand grains nest into nearly solid mass; and water in wet sand adds real weight you'll pay for by the ton. These are the standard planning densities the calculator uses:
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Yards per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¾" crushed stone) | 1.40 | 0.71 |
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | 0.71 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Sand (wet) | 1.50 | 0.67 |
| Crushed limestone | 1.45 | 0.69 |
| Decomposed granite | 1.40 | 0.71 |
Real-world density varies a little with moisture, stone size, and quarry — which is why the dropdown includes a custom option. If your supplier states a density on their ticket, enter it and the tonnage will match theirs.
How deep should each layer be?
A gravel driveway isn't one thick pour — it's built like a cake. A new driveway typically gets a 3–4 inch base layer of larger crushed stone, a 3–4 inch middle layer of smaller stone, and a 2–3 inch top layer of the finish gravel, each spread and compacted before the next. Enter one layer at a time (or use the quantity field for equal layers). For walkway and patio bedding, 2–3 inches of compacted material is typical; for refreshing an existing driveway's surface, 2 inches of new top gravel usually does it. Landscape ground cover over fabric only needs about 2 inches.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons for typical ¾" crushed stone or pea gravel. Denser materials run heavier — crushed limestone is around 1.45 tons per yard and wet sand about 1.5 — so always match the conversion to the actual material.
Should I order gravel by the yard or by the ton?
Order in whichever unit your supplier prices — the two describe the same pile. What matters is converting correctly between them using the material's density, which is exactly what this calculator does. When comparing quotes from two suppliers, convert both to the same unit first.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 3-inch depth, one ton of ¾" crushed stone covers roughly 75–80 square feet. Halve the depth and coverage doubles: about 155 square feet at 1.5 inches. Use the calculator in reverse — enter your area and depth, and read off the tons.
What's the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone?
Shape. Pea gravel is naturally rounded, so it stays loose, feels good underfoot, and shifts under weight — great for paths and play areas, poor for driveways. Crushed stone is angular and locks together when compacted, which is why driveways and base layers use it. Their weights per yard are nearly identical; their behavior isn't.
Do I really need a waste factor for gravel?
A small one, yes. Aggregate settles into soft ground, some rides away in the delivery truck's corners, and edges always take more than the tape measure suggests. Five percent is enough for most jobs; use more on soft or unexcavated subgrade.
How do I estimate gravel for a circular area?
Measure the diameter in feet, and the calculator applies the circle-area formula (π × radius²) times your depth. For an irregular blob-shaped area, break it into a rectangle plus a circle or two, run each, and add the results — overestimating slightly beats a second delivery fee.