Gravel Calculator

Calculate how much gravel you need for a path, driveway or garden bed — in cubic yards, tons and 0.5 cu ft bags.

Quick answer

A 10×10 ft area covered 3 in deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards of gravel — roughly 1.3 tons.

Cubic yards0.93 yd³

Weight1.30 US tonsa 1.4 t/yd³

Bags50 0.50 ft³ c/u

How to Use This Gravel Calculator

Enter the length and width of the area in feet.
Choose the depth — 2–3 in for decorative beds, 4–6 in for driveways.
Adjust the density if your supplier quotes a different weight (1.4 tons per yard is a good average for pea gravel).
Read the result in cubic yards, tons and 0.5 cu ft bags.

The Formula

Gravel volume is area × depth. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the density (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical pea gravel) for weight. For bags, divide by 0.5 cu ft per bag.

V = L × W × DVolume in cubic feet (D in feet)

yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27Cubic yards

Tons = yd³ × 1.4Weight (typical pea gravel density)

Bags = ft³ ÷ 0.50.5 cu ft bags (rounded up)

Worked Example: 10×10 Area

A 10×10 ft area at 3 in deep: V = 100 × 0.25 = 25 ft³ = 0.93 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard: about 1.3 tons, or 50 bags of 0.5 cu ft.

Gravel Needed by Area (3 in deep)

Area	Cubic yards	Tons (1.4 t/yd³)	0.5 cu ft bags
10 × 10 ft	0.93	1.3	50
10 × 20 ft	1.85	2.6	100
12 × 30 ft (driveway)	3.33	4.7	180
20 × 20 ft	3.70	5.2	200

Volume = 25 cu ft per 100 sq ft at 3 in. Bags rounded up.

Pea Gravel vs Crushed Stone

Pea gravel is smooth, rounded and comfortable underfoot — ideal for paths and playgrounds. Crushed stone locks together better and is the standard for driveways and under-slab fill. Driveways typically use a 4–6 in layer: 4 in of stone on top of compacted base. Decorative garden beds need only 2–3 in.

Quick Tips

Order by the yard for large areas; bags are convenient for small beds and aquarium projects.
Gravel settles — add 10% or compact in layers for driveways.
Rinse bagged gravel before using it in an aquarium.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?

About 1.4 tons for typical pea gravel. Density ranges from about 1.3 to 1.7 tons per yard depending on the stone.

How much gravel do I need for a 10×10 area?

At 3 in deep: 0.93 cubic yards, about 1.3 tons, or 50 bags of 0.5 cu ft.

How deep should gravel be?

2–3 in for decorative beds and paths; 4–6 in for driveways over a compacted base.

How many 0.5 cu ft bags are in a cubic yard?

54 bags (27 cu ft ÷ 0.5 cu ft).