Gravel, Crushed Stone & Aggregate Calculator
Work out how much gravel, crushed stone or decomposed granite you need for a driveway, path or bed. Get cubic yards, tons with a compaction allowance, bags of 50 lb, and a bulk delivery versus bagged cost comparison for one or several zones.
Written by Suhaib Hassan. Figures are estimates you can edit. Our methodology.
It finds the volume of the stone layer, multiplies by density and adds a compaction allowance to give tons.
Ordering too little stone means a second delivery fee. This shows the tonnage and the cost of delivery against bags.
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Stone sizes and uses
Common ASTM D448 / AASHTO M 43 sizes. Densities are typical loose values and vary by quarry and moisture, so use your delivery ticket.
| Size | Particle size | Behaviour | Typical use | Tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2 to 4 in | Coarse, little interlock | Construction entrances, ballast, muddy sites | about 1.3 |
| #3 | 1 to 2 in | Clean, drains freely | French drains, dry wells, backfill | about 1.35 |
| #57 | about ¼ to 1 in | Angular, locks together, washed | Driveway surface, concrete mix, sub-slab drainage | about 1.35 |
| #8 (pea gravel) | about ⅜ to ½ in | Rounded, shifts under load | Paths, pipe bedding, play areas | about 1.3 |
| Crusher run | ¾ in down to dust | Compacts hard when damp | Driveway base, paver base, wall backfill | about 1.48 |
Formulas
How the numbers are worked out.
Volume
Length times width times depth in feet, divided by 27 for cubic yards. In inches of depth: L × W × D ÷ 324.
yd³ = L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27Weight
Cubic yards times the stone density, with a compaction allowance added on top.
tons = yd³ × lb per yd³ × (1 + allowance) ÷ 2,000Bags
Total pounds divided by the bag size, rounded up.
bags = ⌈ pounds ÷ 50 ⌉Worked examples
Illustrative figures, each checked by hand. The first is the default setup.
50 × 12 ft driveway, 4 in
#57 stone at 2,700 lb per yd³, 10% allowance.
7.41 × 2,700 = 20,000 lb = 10.00 tons
+ 10% = 11.00 tons
22,000 ÷ 50 = 440 bags
Bulk or bags?
The same job at $48 a ton plus $65 delivery, or $4.50 a bag.
bags = 440 × 4.50 = $1,980
bulk saves $1,387
20 ft round bed with a fire pit
3 in of pea gravel, 4 ft cutout, no allowance.
× 3/12 = 75.4 ft³ = 2.79 yd³
× 2,600 = 7,261 lb = 3.63 tons
How much gravel do I need?
- Measure the length and width of the area, or enter its total square feet.
- Choose the depth. Four inches is common for driveways and two to three for paths.
- Pick the stone, or enter the density from your quarry ticket.
- Add a compaction allowance of about 10% for a compacted base, then compare bulk delivery with bags.
Stone weighs different amounts depending on size, moisture and quarry. For a large order, ask your supplier for the weight per cubic yard and how they load, since they sell by the ton.
By Suhaib Hassan · Reviewed 29 September 2026 · How CalculatePilot verifies formulas →
Sources
- ASTM D448, Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction, and AASHTO M 43.
- ASTM C29, Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Voids in Aggregate.
- NIST Special Publication 811, for cubic yard and ton conversion factors.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the stone, but most crushed stone weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard (2,600 to 3,000 pounds). This tool uses about 1.35 tons for #57 stone and lets you enter your own density.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
A common build is a 4 to 6 inch compacted base of crusher run topped with 1.5 to 2 inches of #57 stone. Soft soil or heavy vehicles need more, so check local guidance.
Why add a compaction allowance?
Loose stone settles and compacts once it is spread and driven on. Ordering 5% to 15% extra means the finished layer reaches the depth you planned.
Is bulk delivery cheaper than bags?
For anything over about half a ton, bulk is almost always cheaper per ton, even after a delivery fee. Bags suit small repairs. Enter your prices to compare.
What size dump truck do I need?
A tandem dump truck typically carries about 10 to 14 tons, so most driveways fit in one load. The tool shows how many loads your total needs.
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