Gravel calculator for Washington

For crushed gravel placed 2 inches deep, a ton will cover about 116 square feet. That measurement is the basis for this calculator. Enter your dimensions and depth, select the gravel, and it returns cubic yards, tons, and the delivered price. It also calculates landscape rock, because crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar materials weigh near 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculate your gravel quantity

1. Take measurements in feet. For a rectangle, enter length and width; for a circle, enter its diameter. Split an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then have multiple-areas mode combine the results.
2. Enter depth in inches. Use 2-3 inches for paths and refreshes. For a new driveway, build 4-6 inches in two layers rather than placing it all at once.
3. Find cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. For cubic yards, divide that result by 27; for tons, multiply it by 1.4.

Useful weight and coverage figures

Dry crushed gravel is about 2,800 lb per cubic yard, which works out to 1.4 tons. In reverse, a ton is about 0.71 cubic yards. More depth means less coverage:

Recommended depth by project

• Garden paths and walkways: use 2-3 inches of walkway gravel over compacted soil or fabric.
• Existing driveway refresh: Add 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
• New driveways: start with 3-4 inches of compacted crusher run, then add 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The bottom layer carries the weight, while the upper layer drains and finishes the surface.
• Patios and seating areas: Install 2 to 3 inches within sturdy edging.
• French drains and wet areas: use 12 inches or more of clean stone. Calculate these with the Stone Calculator because drainage calls for washed rock without fines.

Example: a 50 x 10 ft driveway

For five hundred square feet at 4 inches overall: 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. After dividing by 27, the result is 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Include 5% for compaction and order about 9 tons, with roughly 60/40 split between crusher run base and surface gravel. Keeping the layers separate matters. A frequent phone-order adjustment is for a driveway measured precisely but planned as one 2-inch layer directly on dirt.

Common projects, already estimated

These are rough starting points before measuring, using 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four reasons orders come up short

• No base beneath a new driveway is a common problem. Gravel laid right on soil may rut within a season. Put in the base course first, followed by the surface layer.
• Comparing estimates by area only. The same 20 x 10 pad may need different amounts at different depths, so compare quotes using equal tons.
• Using less than 2 inches. By spring, an inch of gravel can vanish into mud.
• Leaving out the crown. Level gravel holds water, while a 2% slope directs it away and helps fines stay put.

Choosing gravel for each use

Use crushed, angular gravel where vehicles travel because the pieces bind together when compacted. Smooth pea gravel and river rock shift under tires, making them better suited to walkways and planting areas. A durable driveway usually combines a compactable layer such as crusher run or road base with a free-draining top layer like driveway gravel or #57, especially where Puget Sound hardpan holds water. If you are comparing materials or trying to identify existing gravel, text a photo to (206) 582-6792 for help identifying it.

Gravel units: yards, tons, and loads

One pile can be described in three units. Cubic yards measure volume, while a ton measures 2,000 lb and equals about 0.71 yards of gravel. Truckloads depend on capacity: 8-10 yards for a single-axle dump truck and 12-16 yards (17-22 tons) for a tandem. Put every quote into one unit, such as tons, before comparing prices. Compare the delivered amount as well, since hauling may account for half the aggregate cost. With free delivery on every Washington Rock Supply order, the per-ton product price is what arrives at your driveway.

Measuring irregular driveways

Odd shapes, curves, and turnarounds need a different approach. Measure a curved drive along its centerline, then use its average width. For a bulb turnaround, take the widest measurement as the circle diameter. On slopes, make the base deeper at the downhill end, where water and gravel tend to collect. If measuring the layout is difficult, divide it into rectangles and total them with multiple-areas mode.

Preparing for delivery

• Choose the unloading area before the truck gets there: use firm ground and avoid low wires or septic field crossings.
• Have the gravel dropped near the job. Moving one yard takes 9-14 wheelbarrow trips, and an extra 10 feet becomes significant across 6 yards.
• If gravel will be tipped on pavement you want protected, put down a tarp. It can reduce cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Place and compact the base layer before adding the surface layer. A plate compactor is available to rent, though truck tires can do the job in a pinch.

Gravel answers by the numbers

More calculators