Gravel Coverage Calculator
Enter cubic yards and depth to see coverage area.
Gravel Coverage Formula
Divide cubic feet by depth in feet for coverage area. One cubic yard of gravel covers 162 square feet at 2 inches deep.
Understanding Gravel Coverage
Gravel Coverage Rates by Depth
| Gravel Type | Coverage at 2 in | Coverage at 3 in | Coverage at 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (3/8 in) | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| Crushed Stone #57 | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| River Rock (1-3 in) | 130 sq ft | 90 sq ft | 65 sq ft |
| Crusher Run | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| Large Decorative Rock | 100 sq ft | 70 sq ft | 50 sq ft |
Recommended Gravel Depths by Application
- Walking paths: 2-3 inches of pea gravel or crushed stone on compacted base.
- Driveways: 8-12 inches total (sub-base + base + surface layer).
- Landscape beds: 2-3 inches of decorative gravel over weed barrier.
- French drain trench: 12-18 inches of #57 stone surrounding perforated pipe.
- Patio base: 4-6 inches of compacted crusher run under pavers.
Measuring Irregular Areas
Break irregular shapes into sections: rectangles, triangles, and circles. Calculate each separately and add the results. For curved beds, use the average width measured at 3-4 points along the bed length.
Gravel Coverage Calculator FAQ
At 2 inches deep: 0.62 cubic yards. At 3 inches: 0.93 CY. At 4 inches: 1.23 CY. Add 10% for edge waste and settling.
One CY covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Larger decorative rock covers less due to void spaces.
A gravel driveway needs 8-12 inches total in three layers: 4-6 inch sub-base, 4 inch crusher run base, and 2-3 inch surface gravel. Compact each layer.
200 sq ft at 3 inches: 200 x 0.25 / 27 = 1.85 CY. Add 10% for approximately 2 CY total. At 4 inches: 2.47 CY.
Yes. Calculate cubic yards first, then multiply by gravel density (1.35-1.5 tons per CY). For example, 3 CY of crushed stone at 1.4 tons/CY = 4.2 tons.
Use pi x radius squared x depth / 27. For a 10-foot diameter circle at 3 inches: 3.14 x 25 x 0.25 / 27 = 0.73 cubic yards.