How Much Gravel Do I Need?
A step-by-step method to size a gravel order in cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bags for driveways, paths, and landscape beds.
For a rectangular area, multiply length x width x depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A typical driveway top-up at 3 inches deep needs about 0.9 cubic yards per 100 square feet, or roughly 1.25 tons. Add 10 percent for waste and round up to the nearest half yard when ordering bulk.
Step by step: from footprint to yards
Measure length and width in feet and depth in inches. Multiply length x width to get square feet. Multiply square feet x (depth in inches / 12) to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
For a 20 ft x 4 ft path at 3 inches deep: 20 x 4 = 80 sq ft. 80 x 0.25 = 20 cu ft. 20 / 27 = 0.74 cu yd. With a 10 percent waste allowance, order 0.82 cu yd, rounded up to 1 cubic yard.
Typical depths by project
- Path top-dressing: 2 inches
- Landscape bed: 2 to 3 inches
- Driveway top layer: 3 to 4 inches
- New driveway build-up: 4 to 6 inches over compacted subgrade
Worked example: 30 ft x 12 ft driveway top-up
30 x 12 = 360 sq ft. At 3 inches deep, 360 x 0.25 = 90 cu ft = 3.33 cu yd. Add 10 percent: 3.67 cu yd. Round up to 4 cubic yards for bulk delivery, or about 100 bags of 50 lb gravel for a bagged run.
Tons vs yards: when it matters
Some yards price by weight and some by volume. Standard gravel averages about 1.35 tons per cubic yard. A 4 cubic yard order is roughly 5.4 tons.
Ready to run the numbers?
Use the gravel calculator to get a specific quantity for your project.
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Sources
Last reviewed . Educational estimates only; local conditions and codes take precedence. Consult a qualified professional for site-specific decisions.