Construction
Gravel Calculator
Enter the length, width, and depth of your driveway, path, or bed to get the cubic yards and tons of gravel (or sand, limestone, or topsoil) to order.
Quick answer: Gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. A 40×12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 1.5 cubic yards, or roughly 2 tons.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 4-inch layer over 480 sq ft is about 1.5 cubic yards, or roughly 2 tons of gravel.
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical crushed gravel (limestone is closer to 1.5, sand about 1.35). Bulk gravel is usually sold by the ton or the cubic yard.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan 4–6 inches of gravel over a compacted base; many driveways use multiple layers (a coarse base plus a finer top). Add 5–10% extra for compaction.