Answer · Gravel

Gravel shed base calculator + sizing guide

Updated April 26, 2026

Quick answer

For a standard shed base, plan on 4–6 inches of ¾-inch crushed stone extending 12 inches past the shed footprint on all sides. An 8 × 8 shed needs about 1.2 cubic yards (≈1.8 tons); a 10 × 12 shed needs about 1.5 cubic yards (≈2.3 tons) at 4 inches deep. Always use angular crushed stone, not pea gravel , pea gravel doesn't compact and the shed will shift.

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Gravel by shed size

Crushed stone for a shed base, pad extends 12 in past shed on all sides

Shed size	Pad size	4 in deep	6 in deep
6 × 8	8 × 10	1.0 yd³ / 1.5 t	1.5 yd³ / 2.3 t
8 × 8	10 × 10	1.2 yd³ / 1.8 t	1.9 yd³ / 2.9 t
8 × 10	10 × 12	1.5 yd³ / 2.3 t	2.2 yd³ / 3.3 t
10 × 10	12 × 12	1.8 yd³ / 2.7 t	2.7 yd³ / 4.0 t
10 × 12	12 × 14	2.1 yd³ / 3.1 t	3.1 yd³ / 4.7 t
10 × 16	12 × 18	2.7 yd³ / 4.0 t	4.0 yd³ / 6.0 t
12 × 16	14 × 18	3.1 yd³ / 4.7 t	4.7 yd³ / 7.0 t
12 × 20	14 × 22	3.8 yd³ / 5.7 t	5.7 yd³ / 8.6 t

Tons assume a density of 1.5 tons per cubic yard for compacted ¾-inch crushed limestone. Pea gravel and washed stone run lighter (≈1.35 t/yd³).

How deep does the gravel base need to be?

4 inches is the minimum for a basic shed up to 8×10 on well-draining soil. Bump to 6 inches for any of these:

Shed is over 100 sqft or stores heavy equipment (mowers, ATVs)
Site has clay soil or known drainage issues
You're in a freeze-thaw climate
The shed is going on a sloped site (will need leveling)
A gravel pad is replacing what would have been a concrete slab

Formula

Cubic yards needed

yd³ = (L_pad × W_pad × depth_in / 12) / 27
tons ≈ yd³ × 1.5  (for ¾" crushed stone)

Pad dimensions = shed dimensions + 24 in (12 in extra on each side)

The 12-inch overhang past the shed footprint matters: it gives water somewhere to drain instead of running back under the building. Skip the overhang and your gravel pad becomes a bathtub.

Worked example

10 × 12 shed pad at 4 inches

Standard backyard shed in a temperate climate, well-draining soil.

1. Pad size = 12 × 14 ft (12 in past shed each side)168 sqft
2. Volume = (168 × 4 / 12) / 272.07 yd³
3. Tons = 2.07 × 1.53.1 t
4. Round up for delivery min.Order 2.5 yd³ / 4 t

→ Order 2.5 yards or 4 tons, quarry minimums vary.

Best gravel for a shed base

Stone choice ranked for shed pads

Material	Compacts?	Drains?	Use as base?
¾-inch crushed limestone	Excellent	Excellent	Yes, best
¾-inch crushed concrete (CA-6)	Excellent	Excellent	Yes, cheaper
Class 5 / 21AA road base	Excellent	Good	Yes, fines lock
½-inch crushed stone	Good	Excellent	OK, top layer
Pea gravel	Poor	Excellent	No, only as decorative top
River rock	Poor	Excellent	No
Sand	Poor	Poor	No

Use ¾-inch crushed limestone or crushed concrete (CA-6). It compacts hard, drains well, and locks together, exactly what you want under a shed. Avoid pea gravel as a primary base; it doesn't compact and the shed will shift over time. Pea gravel is fine as a 1-inch finish layer on top for looks.

Do I need landscape fabric under the gravel?

Yes. A layer of woven landscape fabric under the gravel keeps soil from migrating up into the stone (which destroys drainage) and stops weeds from growing through. It costs $20 for a 4×50 ft roll cheapest insurance you'll ever buy on a shed pad. Don't use the cheap non-woven black fabric for this, it tears and clogs. Look for "geotextile" or "woven landscape fabric."

Containing the gravel: timber frame

A 4×4 or 6×6 pressure-treated timber frame around the perimeter of the pad keeps gravel from migrating outward over years of freeze-thaw and rain. Stake it with rebar or 12-inch landscape spikes every 4 ft. It's optional on small pads but mandatory for anything over 100 sqft on a slope.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

✗ Using pea gravel as the base because it looks nice.

Fix: Pea gravel rolls; angular stone locks. Sheds on pea gravel shift, sag, and need re-leveling. Save pea gravel for the top inch if you want the look.

✗ Sizing the pad to match the shed exactly.

Fix: Always extend 12 in past the shed on all sides. Without the overhang, water sheets off the roof onto bare dirt and runs back under the shed.

✗ Skipping the plate compactor.

Fix: Compact in 2-inch lifts. A 4-inch pad gets two passes; a 6-inch pad gets three. Loose gravel settles unevenly and the shed will rock.

✗ Pouring 4 in of gravel onto a slope without leveling.

Fix: Excavate to level first (cut into the high side, don't fill the low side), then add a uniform 4 in of gravel. Filled-in gravel always sinks.

→ Get exact tons and cubic yards for your pad

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel for a 10×12 shed base?

About 2.1 cubic yards (3.1 tons) of ¾-inch crushed stone at 4 inches deep, sized for a 12×14 ft pad. Go to 3.1 yd³ if you want 6 inches.

How much gravel for an 8×10 shed base?

About 1.5 cubic yards (2.3 tons) at 4 inches over a 10 × 12 ft pad. Bump to 2.2 yd³ at 6 inches deep for sites with poor drainage.

Can I put a shed directly on gravel without a frame?

Yes, if the shed has pressure-treated runners and the pad is properly compacted. Most prefab sheds are designed to sit on a level gravel pad. A timber frame around the gravel keeps it contained over time.

Crushed stone vs pea gravel for a shed?

Crushed stone wins. It locks together when compacted; pea gravel rolls and shifts under load. Use crushed stone for the base; pea gravel is only good as a thin decorative top layer.

Do I need a permit for a gravel shed pad?

Usually no for a non-permanent base under a typical shed (under 200 sqft). Check your local code, a few towns require permits for any structure regardless of foundation type.

Is gravel better than concrete for a shed?

For most prefab sheds under 200 sqft: yes. Gravel drains, doesn't crack, costs 1/3 as much, and is permit-free in most places. Concrete wins only if you'll later anchor heavy machinery to the floor.

Gravel shed base calculator + sizing guide

Gravel by shed size

How deep does the gravel base need to be?

Cubic yards needed

10 × 12 shed pad at 4 inches

Best gravel for a shed base

Do I need landscape fabric under the gravel?

Containing the gravel: timber frame

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Frequently asked questions

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