How many tons of gravel do I need?
Updated April 26, 2026
Quick answer
The 81 rule
Most contractors use this shortcut for ¾-inch crushed stone, which is the most common material for driveways, paver bases, and shed pads:
Formula
Tons of gravel
tons ≈ (sqft × depth_in) ÷ 81 Why 81? 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ Crushed stone weighs ~1.5 t/yd³ So 1 ton ≈ 18 ft³ ≈ 81 sqft × 1 in deep
Worked example
Single-car driveway: 10 × 25 ft at 4 in
Resurface or new gravel driveway over compacted subbase.
- 1. Area = 10 × 25250 sqft
- 2. Tons = 250 × 4 ÷ 8112.3 t
- 3. Cubic yards = 12.3 / 1.58.2 yd³
- 4. +10% compaction lossOrder 13.5 t
→ Order ~13–14 tons (or 9 cubic yards) of ¾-inch crushed stone.
Density by material
| Material | Tons / yd³ | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ¾ in crushed stone | 1.5 | Driveways, paver base, shed pads |
| ½ in crushed stone | 1.4 | Drainage, top layer |
| ⅜ in pea gravel (washed) | 1.35 | Walkways, decorative |
| Crushed concrete (recycled) | 1.4 | Driveways (cheaper alt to stone) |
| Class 5 road base / CA-6 | 1.5 | Compacted base under anything |
| River rock | 1.3 | Decorative landscaping |
| Sand (concrete / coarse) | 1.5 | Paver setting bed |
| Mason sand | 1.3 | Mortar, masonry, NOT pavers |
Common projects: tons needed
| Project | Size | Depth | Tons (¾ in stone) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkway | 3 × 30 ft | 3 in | 3.3 t |
| Shed pad | 10 × 12 | 4 in | 5.9 t |
| Single-car driveway | 10 × 25 | 4 in | 12.3 t |
| Two-car driveway | 20 × 30 | 4 in | 29.6 t |
| Long driveway | 12 × 100 | 6 in | 88.9 t |
| Long driveway | 12 × 200 | 6 in | 177.8 t |
| Paver base | 200 sqft | 4 in | 9.9 t |
| Paver base (driveway) | 400 sqft | 8 in | 39.5 t |
| French drain trench | 30 × 1 × 2 ft deep | , | 0.9 t |
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
| Depth | Square feet per ton | Linear feet @ 3 ft wide |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 200 sqft | 67 ft |
| 2 in | 100 sqft | 33 ft |
| 3 in | 65 sqft | 22 ft |
| 4 in | 50 sqft | 17 ft |
| 6 in | 33 sqft | 11 ft |
Should I buy by the ton or the yard?
Bulk yards are usually cheaper than tons because they're measured loose, but suppliers vary. Always ask for both prices and do the math. 1 yard of crushed stone ≈ 1.5 tons, so divide per-yard price by 1.5 to get the per-ton equivalent. For projects under 1 yard, bagged stone from Home Depot or Lowe's is more practical even if the per-yard cost is 3× higher.
Bagged gravel, when it makes sense
50 lb bagged stone covers about 0.5 sqft at 2 inches. For projects under 500 lb (~10 bags), bagging is fine. Over that, bulk delivery is cheaper per pound, even with the $50–$120 delivery fee.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
✗ Forgetting to account for compaction loss.
Fix: Crushed stone compacts about 10–15% from loose to placed. If your math says 10 tons, order 11.5 tons. Suppliers expect this.
✗ Using pea gravel under pavers or as a driveway base.
Fix: Pea gravel doesn't lock, it shifts under load. Use angular ¾-inch crushed stone for any base; pea gravel is only good as a decorative top layer or in walkable paths.
✗ Ordering one delivery when two would be cheaper.
Fix: Most suppliers charge a minimum delivery fee. Two 5-ton orders often cost more than one 10-ton order. Round up to hit the most efficient truck size (12, 18, or 22 tons).