Short answer: 1.0 cubic yards, or 1.4 tons, of gravel covers 10 x 10 ft at 3 inches, including a 10 percent allowance. Each cubic yard weighs about 2,800 lb and reaches roughly 108 sq ft at this thickness.
On this page
- How deep should gravel be?
- Gravel sizes at a glance
- Gravel: the numbers that matter
- The math behind gravel estimates
- What typical gravel jobs require
- Choose the right kind of gravel
- Mistakes that cause a second delivery
- How far gravel goes at each depth
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and further reading
- Related calculators
How deep should gravel be?
| Project | Compacted depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative bed | 2 inches | Go to 3 inches if weeds are a problem |
| Garden path | 3 inches | Lay fabric underneath |
| Patio or walkway base | 4 inches | Compact in two 2-inch lifts |
| Shed pad | 4 to 6 inches | Extend 6 inches past the footprint |
| Driveway | 4 to 6 inches | Use a base layer and a top layer |
| French drain | 12 to 24 inches | Wrap the stone in fabric |
Gravel sizes at a glance
| Name | Approximate size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | About 3/8 inch | Paths, play areas, decorative beds |
| #57 stone | About 1 inch down to 1/4 inch | Drainage and base layers |
| #3 stone | 2 inches down to 1 inch | Deep drains and rough bases |
| Crusher run | Up to 3/4 inch, with fines | Driveway and walkway bases |
| River rock | 1 to 3 inches | Decorative beds and swales |
Gravel: the numbers that matter
| What you want to know | Answer |
|---|---|
| Weight of one cubic yard | 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) |
| Weight of one cubic foot | 104 lb |
| Cubic yards in one ton | 0.71 |
| Area one cubic yard covers at 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| Area one ton covers at 3 in | 77 sq ft |
| Usual depth | 2 to 3 inches for paths and beds, 4 to 6 inches for driveways |
The math behind gravel estimates
Three measurements drive every estimate: length, width and depth. Multiply them, convert the product to cubic yards, then raise it by 10 percent. For gravel, depth usually lands at 2 to 3 inches for paths and beds, 4 to 6 inches for driveways.
Check the arithmetic with this page's defaults. A 10 x 10 ft area filled 3 inches deep needs 1.02 cubic yards, which weighs about 1.43 tons.
What typical gravel jobs require
These sample jobs show the scale of material typical projects consume, with a tenth added for settling.
| Project | Size | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 20 x 3 ft | 3 in | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Patio base | 12 x 12 ft | 4 in | 2.0 | 2.7 |
| Shed pad | 10 x 12 ft | 4 in | 1.6 | 2.3 |
| Dog run | 30 x 10 ft | 3 in | 3.1 | 4.3 |
Choose the right kind of gravel
Gravel is a loose mix of small stones, and the shape of those stones decides how it behaves. Rounded stone, such as pea gravel, feels smooth and drains fast, but it shifts under feet and wheels. Angular crushed stone locks together and holds its shape, so it suits bases and driveways. Washed gravel has no fine dust, so water passes straight through. Unwashed or crusher-run mixes carry stone dust that fills the gaps and packs hard.
Tell your supplier what the surface must carry, then let them name the size and grade. Product names change from state to state, so a description of the job works better than a product name.
Mistakes that cause a second delivery
- Measuring the surface but guessing the depth. Dig a test hole and measure it.
- Ignoring compaction. A compacted layer often ends up 10 to 20 percent thinner than the loose pile you spread.
- Splitting an odd shape badly. Break it into rectangles and circles, then add the results.
- Ordering the exact number. Order the next full quarter yard above your result.
How far gravel goes at each depth
Read across to see how far each yard or ton stretches at a given thickness.
| Layer thickness | One yard spreads over | One ton spreads over | Weight for 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 231 sq ft | 0.43 tons |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 116 sq ft | 0.86 tons |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 77 sq ft | 1.30 tons |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 58 sq ft | 1.73 tons |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 39 sq ft | 2.59 tons |
Frequently asked questions
How much extra gravel should I order?
Add 10 percent for most jobs. Use 15 to 20 percent on rough ground or when you spread a thick layer in several lifts.
How deep should a gravel layer be?
Use 2 to 3 inches for paths and decorative beds. Use 4 to 6 inches for driveways, placed in two compacted layers.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
Fabric helps on soft or weedy soil because it keeps stone and soil from mixing. On firm, well-drained ground you can often skip it.
How much gravel covers 100 square feet at 3 inches deep?
Spread over 100 square feet at 3 inches, you need roughly 0.93 cubic yards, which weighs 1.30 tons before any extra.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
Use 1.4 tons per cubic yard as the divisor. A 5-ton load of gravel therefore measures near 3.6 cubic yards.
How accurate is the gravel calculator?
The calculator assumes 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical loose gravel. Wet material, a different stone size or hard compaction changes the weight, so replace the density with your supplier's figure and order the next quarter yard above the result.