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Blueprint Calc

Gravel Calculator

Size bulk gravel, crushed stone, and rock for driveways, patios, French drains, and fill. Shows both cubic yards and tons — landscape suppliers price by the yard, ready-mix and aggregate yards price by the ton.

How much gravel do I need?

Supports driveways, walkways, fills, and decorative beds.

You need
  • Gravel needed
    1.85 cu yd / 2.50 tons
    50.00 cu ft (loose)
  • If bagged (50 lb bags, ~0.5 cu ft)
    100 bags
    Bagged only makes sense for jobs under ~1 yd — bulk is cheaper above.
  • Coverage area
    200.00 sq ft
    at 3" depth

What you'll need to buy

Prices approximate · Links go to retailer search results
Estimated total: ~$550 (materials, before tax)

Product links go to Home Depot search results — pick the best match for your project. Prices shown are rough averages.

How we calculated it

Gravel is sold by two different measures and the conversion trips up most DIYers:

  • Landscape supply yards typically price by the cubic yard (loose volume before compaction).
  • Aggregate quarries / concrete suppliers typically price by the ton (weight).
  • 1 cu yd of common driveway stone ≈ 1.3-1.5 tons depending on product.

The calculator outputs both so you can order in whichever unit your supplier uses. It also shows an optional bag-count equivalent for the edge case of small projects.

Densities used: pea gravel ~96 lb/cu ft, crushed stone #57 ~100, crusher run / #411 ~130, river rock ~95, decomposed granite ~110. Compaction multipliers: 1.0 for decorative, 1.15 for #57, 1.25 for crusher run and DG. These match industry norms; real product data from your local supplier may vary by ±10%.

Gravel weight per cubic yard by product

Typical dry, loose density — your local supplier may vary ±10%.

Product lb / cu ft lb / yd Tons / yd
Pea gravel (3/8") 96 2,592 1.3
Crushed stone #57 (3/4") 100 2,700 1.35
Crusher run / #411 130 3,510 1.75
River rock (3-5") 95 2,565 1.28
Decomposed granite 110 2,970 1.48
Sand (masonry) 100 2,700 1.35

Denser products cost more per ton but less per yard covered — pricing varies by region. This table lets you sanity-check supplier quotes.

Driveway gravel by driveway size (at 4 in compacted)

Using #411 crusher run (1.25× compaction factor), the standard base course.

Driveway Area Loose cu yd to order Tons
10 × 20 ft 200 sq ft 3.1 yd 5.4
10 × 40 ft 400 sq ft 6.2 yd 10.8
12 × 60 ft 720 sq ft 11.1 yd 19.4
15 × 80 ft 1,200 sq ft 18.5 yd 32.4
20 × 100 ft 2,000 sq ft 30.9 yd 54

Add 2-3 in of #57 top course for a finished driveway — about 25-30% more material beyond the base.

Frequently asked questions

How much gravel do I need for a 10x20 driveway?
A 10x20 driveway (200 sq ft) at a 4" compacted top course of #57 stone needs about 2.5 cu yd or ~3.4 tons loose — after applying the ~1.15x compaction multiplier most suppliers add. Drop to 3" and you save 25%, but #57 loose chips migrate under tires at that depth.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
Depends on the product. Pea gravel: ~2,600 lb/yd. Crushed stone #57: ~2,700 lb/yd. Crusher run (#411): ~3,500 lb/yd (the densest because of the fines). Decomposed granite: ~3,000 lb/yd. River rock: ~2,600 lb/yd. Most half-ton pickups can safely haul 0.5-0.75 yd of crusher run or 1 yd of pea gravel.
What is the difference between #57 and #411 crushed stone?
#57 is 3/4" clean crushed stone — no fines — used as a top layer for drainage or as concrete aggregate. It does not pack down. #411 (also called crusher run or QP in some markets) is #57 mixed with stone dust and fines; it packs down hard and is the standard driveway BASE layer. Many DIY driveways use 4-6" of #411 as base with 2-3" of #57 on top.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Residential gravel driveway on stable soil: 4" compacted #411 base + 2-3" #57 top = 6-7" total. On clay or boggy soils, go 6-8" of base. Top-course alone on soft soil will rut and pothole within one winter.
Should I put landscape fabric under gravel?
For walkways and decorative areas: yes — it stops grass and weeds from pushing up through the stone. For driveways: a non-woven geotextile fabric is strongly recommended on clay or soft soil to keep base stone from sinking into the substrate. Skip woven polypropylene (home center "weed fabric") under a driveway; it tears.
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most landscape gravel runs 1.3-1.5 tons per cubic yard (pea gravel, river rock, #57). Denser products like #411 crusher run and decomposed granite hit 1.7-1.8 tons/yd. This calculator shows both yards and tons so you can order whichever unit your local supplier uses.
Is bagged or bulk gravel cheaper?
Bulk wins past about half a yard (15-20 bags) even after a $50-100 delivery fee. Bagged (50 lb bags ≈ 0.5 cu ft each) is convenient for small projects — a planter, a drainage pit, a spot repair — but scales badly on cost above that.
Can I pour concrete over gravel?
Yes — most slabs sit on 2-4" of #57 crushed stone. The gravel base provides drainage, frost protection, and a level surface for the pour. Compact it in 2" lifts, then the concrete goes right on top (with a vapor barrier if the slab is inside a heated building).
What size gravel is best for a French drain?
#57 washed stone (3/4") is the industry standard for French drain fill — clean stones (no fines) create maximum void space for water to flow through. Wrap the trench in non-woven geotextile to keep soil from eventually clogging the stone.
How much does a pickup truck hold?
Half-ton (F-150, Silverado 1500): 1-1.5 yards of mulch; 0.5 yard of crusher run. 3/4 ton (F-250, 2500): up to 2 yards of crusher run. Full ton dump (F-350, 3500): 3 yards. Always check GVWR — stone is much denser than mulch and it is easy to overload a half-ton truck.

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