Why gravel is sold by the ton
Many quarries and landscape yards sell crushed stone, gravel and road base by weight, while your project is measured by volume. This calculator converts your area and depth to cubic yards, then multiplies by a density (tons per cubic yard) to estimate weight.
How to measure
- Measure the length and width of the driveway, path or pad in feet. Break curves into rectangles.
- Decide on the compacted depth in inches. Base layers under patios and driveways are often built up in compacted lifts of a few inches each.
- Ask your supplier for the density of the exact product. It depends on the stone type, size and moisture. Our default of 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a common middle figure; many products fall around 1.3–1.5.
The formula
Cubic yards = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27, plus waste. Tons = cubic yards × density.
Worked example
A gravel driveway pad 40 ft long and 10 ft wide, 4 in deep, with 10% extra for compaction:
- 40 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 133.3 cu ft = 4.94 cubic yards
- With 10%: 5.43 cubic yards
- At 1.4 tons per yard: about 7.6 tons
If the supplier says their stone is 1.5 tons per yard, enter that and the estimate rises to about 8.1 tons. That difference is why it is worth asking.
Compaction and overage
Crushed stone with fines (often sold as road base or crusher run) packs down when compacted with a plate compactor, so the loose material you buy must be thicker than the finished layer. Adding 10–15% is a common starting point. Clean, washed stone without fines compacts less but also shifts more. For decorative top layers, 5–10% extra is usually enough.
Common mistakes
- Using one density for every product. Lava rock and pea gravel weigh very differently from dense crushed limestone or granite.
- Skipping the base. Driveways and patios usually need a compacted base layer under any decorative stone. Plan each layer separately and add them up.
- Laying it too thin. A thin layer on soft soil ruts quickly. Good drainage and a proper base matter more than the top stone.
- Overloading a truck or trailer. Check your vehicle's payload rating before hauling by the ton.
Buying tips
- Bulk stone is usually sold by the ton or yard, often with a delivery fee and a minimum. Bagged stone at home centers commonly comes in sizes around 0.5 cu ft, which adds up fast on large jobs.
- Ask for the product name the yard uses. Names like "#57 stone," "crusher run" or "3/4 minus" vary by region, so describe the use and let them recommend.
- Landscape fabric under decorative stone helps limit weeds and keeps stone from sinking into soil.
- For paver bases, check the paver maker's installation guide for recommended base depth and material.
Compact small base areas