Gravel Tonnage Calculator
Gravel is ordered by weight, but you measure a project by area and depth. This calculator first finds the volume: length times width times depth gives cubic feet, divided by 27 converts to cubic yards. It then multiplies cubic yards by the density in tons per cubic yard to give the tonnage to order. Because gravel weight varies with type and moisture, the density is a value you enter from your supplier rather than a guessed constant, keeping the tonnage true to your exact material.
Gravel tonnage formula
Depth in feet = depth inches / 12
Cubic feet = length * width * depth in feet
Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
Tons = cubic yards * density (tons per cubic yard)
Pounds = tons * 2,000
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard and 2,000 pounds in one US short ton. The density you enter is the supplier's unit weight for your specific gravel, so the tonnage matches the product you are buying.
Gravel ordering notes
- One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet; depth in inches is divided by 12 to convert to feet.
- One US short ton equals 2,000 pounds, the standard weight unit for bulk aggregate sales.
- Crushed stone and gravel commonly weigh about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on type and moisture.
- Loose gravel compacts when laid, so add roughly 10 to 20 percent for compaction and spillage when ordering.
- Ask your quarry for the published unit weight of the exact product rather than assuming a single value.
Gravel tonnage: frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel do I need?
First find the volume: length times width times depth (with depth in feet) gives cubic feet, divided by 27 gives cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the gravel's density in tons per cubic yard to get tons. Crushed stone and gravel commonly weigh roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, but enter the figure your supplier quotes.
Why is gravel sold by the ton instead of by volume?
Bulk aggregate is typically priced and delivered by weight because trucks are weighed at a scale. To convert your measured volume in cubic yards to tons you multiply by the material density. Different gravels and moisture levels have different densities, so this calculator uses the tons-per-cubic-yard value you enter from your supplier.
What depth should I use for a driveway or path?
Depth depends on the use and base. Decorative gravel paths are often 2 to 3 inches, while a driveway surface course is commonly 3 to 4 inches over a compacted base. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 before entering, or enter depth directly in feet in the depth field.
Does compaction change how much I need?
Yes. Loose gravel settles when compacted, so you typically order a little more than the finished compacted volume. A common practice is to add about 10 to 20 percent for compaction and waste. This calculator reports the in-place volume and tonnage; add your own allowance on top when ordering.
How do I find my gravel's density?
Ask your aggregate supplier or quarry for the unit weight in tons per cubic yard, or pounds per cubic foot, for the specific product. They publish this for each material. If you only have pounds per cubic foot, multiply by 27 and divide by 2,000 to get tons per cubic yard before entering it here.
Official sources
- U.S. Geological Survey: Crushed Stone Statistics and Information.
- U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology: Unit conversion (cubic yard, ton).
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 16 June 2026. See our methodology.