How many cubic yards of gravel do I need for a driveway?

For a typical 12×50 ft driveway at 4 inches deep: 12 × 50 × (4/12) = 200 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 7.4 cubic yards of gravel, which equals approximately 10.4 tons of pea gravel.

How deep should gravel be for a driveway?

A standard residential gravel driveway should be 4–6 inches deep. For heavier vehicles or clay soil, 6 inches of gravel is recommended. The base layer should be compacted crushed stone, with a top layer of smaller decorative gravel.

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🛠️ Construction & DIY

Gravel & Crushed Stone Estimator

Calculate cubic yards and tons of gravel, crushed stone, or pea gravel needed for driveways and paths.

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Area Length (ft)

Area Width (ft)

Depth (inches)

Material

Gravel & Crushed Stone: Volume to Weight

Gravel and crushed stone are sold by the ton or cubic yard. Converting between them requires knowing the material's density. Pea gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard, while river rock is lighter at around 1.2 tons/yd³. For driveways, a depth of 4–6 inches is recommended.

Gravel Calculation Formulas

Cubic Feet = Area × (Depth in" ÷ 12)

Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27

Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density (tons/yd³)

Gravel & Crushed Stone Estimator

Cubic Yards Required

Gravel & Crushed Stone: Volume to Weight

Gravel Calculation Formulas