Gravel Weight by Type
Not all gravel weighs the same. The weight depends on the stone type, size, and how much air space (void) is between the pieces. Smaller, more angular stones pack tighter and weigh more per yard. Larger, rounder stones have more air gaps and weigh less.
| Gravel Type | Lbs per Cubic Yard | Tons per Cubic Yard | Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,600 – 2,800 | 1.30 – 1.40 | ⅜" round |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 2,700 – 3,000 | 1.35 – 1.50 | ¾" angular |
| Crushed stone (#411) | 2,800 – 3,200 | 1.40 – 1.60 | ¾" with fines |
| River rock (1-3") | 2,400 – 2,700 | 1.20 – 1.35 | 1" – 3" smooth |
| Crushed limestone | 2,700 – 2,900 | 1.35 – 1.45 | Various |
| Road base / Class 5 | 3,000 – 3,400 | 1.50 – 1.70 | ¾" minus |
| Decomposed granite | 2,700 – 3,000 | 1.35 – 1.50 | Fine |
| White marble chips | 2,400 – 2,700 | 1.20 – 1.35 | ½" – 1" |
| Lava rock | 1,000 – 1,500 | 0.50 – 0.75 | ¾" – 2" |
Most common gravel types weigh between 2,600 and 3,000 lbs per cubic yard (1.3-1.5 tons). Road base is heavier at 1.5-1.7 tons per yard because the fines fill the gaps and pack tight.
Coverage by Depth: How Far Does a Yard Go?
This is usually the more useful question. You know you want gravel on your driveway or walkway — but how much area will one cubic yard actually cover?
| Depth | 1 Cubic Yard Covers | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | Thin topping, refreshing existing gravel |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | Decorative borders, walkways |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | Walkways, garden paths |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | Standard driveway depth |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | Heavy-duty base layer |
| 8 inches | 40.5 sq ft | Foundation backfill |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | French drain fill |
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Divide 27 by the depth in feet to get the coverage. At 2 inches (0.167 ft): 27 ÷ 0.167 = 162 sq ft. At 4 inches (0.333 ft): 27 ÷ 0.333 = 81 sq ft.
Multi-Yard Coverage Table
If you're ordering multiple yards, here's how much ground you'll cover.
| Cubic Yards | At 2" Deep | At 3" Deep | At 4" Deep | At 6" Deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 2 | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 3 | 486 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 243 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 5 | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| 10 | 1,620 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
| 15 | 2,430 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft | 1,215 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 20 | 3,240 sq ft | 2,160 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft |
Calculate Your Gravel Needs
Enter your area dimensions and depth. We'll give you cubic yards, tons, and cost estimates.
Open Gravel Calculator →How to Order the Right Amount
Here's a step-by-step approach to ordering gravel without over- or under-buying.
- Measure your area. Length × width in feet. For odd shapes, split into rectangles and add them up.
- Pick your depth. 2-3 inches for decorative, 4 inches for driveways, 6+ inches for base layers.
- Calculate cubic yards: Area (sq ft) × depth (inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards.
- Add 10% for overage. Gravel spreads unevenly, some gets lost in the soil, and your subgrade is never perfectly flat.
- Convert to tons if needed. Multiply cubic yards by the density (usually 1.35-1.50 for most gravel types).
- Order in full-yard increments. Most suppliers round up anyway.
Example: A 20 × 30 ft gravel patio, 3 inches deep
- Area: 600 sq ft
- Cubic yards: 600 × 3 ÷ 324 = 5.56 yd³
- With 10%: 6.11 yd³ → Order 6.5 cubic yards
- In tons (crushed stone): 6.5 × 1.40 = 9.1 tons
Suppliers price gravel either per cubic yard or per ton. Ask which unit they use, then give your order in that unit. Mixing the two causes confusion and wrong deliveries.
Can Your Truck Handle It?
This is where weight really matters. Here's what different vehicles can typically carry:
| Vehicle | Payload Capacity | Max Gravel (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-ton pickup (F-150, Ram 1500) | 1,500 – 2,000 lbs | ½ cubic yard |
| Three-quarter ton (F-250, Ram 2500) | 2,500 – 3,500 lbs | 1 cubic yard |
| One-ton truck (F-350, Ram 3500) | 4,000 – 6,000 lbs | 1.5 – 2 cubic yards |
| Dump trailer (small) | 6,000 – 10,000 lbs | 2 – 3 cubic yards |
| Standard dump truck | 20,000 – 28,000 lbs | 8 – 12 cubic yards |
A single cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 2,800 pounds. That exceeds the payload capacity of most half-ton pickups. Overloading damages your suspension, brakes, and tires — and it's illegal in most states. For anything over 1,500 lbs, get it delivered.
Quick Gravel Tons Conversion
If you need to convert between cubic yards and tons:
For more precise conversions based on your specific gravel type, use our cubic yards to tons calculator.
Get Your Exact Number
Free Gravel Calculator
Enter your project dimensions and get cubic yards, tons, and cost — with waste factor built in.
Calculate Gravel Needed →Related Guides
- Cubic Yards to Tons — General conversion for all materials
- How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need? — Master volume guide
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — Area + depth to volume
- Mulch Calculator — Coverage guide for mulch
- Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator — Online tool
- Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator — Weight converter