Bed size
Depth units
Waste
Default 1.4 tons per cubic yard is typical loose gravel. Crushed stone and compacted base often run 1.2–1.7. Labeled as an estimate — not a weigh-ticket.
Order
- Cubic yards
- —
- Tons est.
- —
Enter length, width, and depth.
This is an estimate, not a weigh-ticket, not structural engineering, and not a compaction spec. It does not choose how thick a driveway or pad should be, or base, drainage, or load rating. Density (default 1.4 tons/yd³) is typical loose gravel, labeled as an estimate. Confirm cubic yards with the landscape yard and tons with the quarry’s scale.
How the volume is counted
Bed volume is length × width × depth. A driveway and a patio pad use the same formula; you change the depth. Depth in inches is divided by 12 to get feet, then divided by 27 to get cubic yards. Waste is extra stone — 10% is a common pad for spillage, irregular edges, and compaction.
Tons = cubic yards × density. The default density is 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical loose gravel. Change it if your quarry quotes a different number. Short tons (2,000 lb), not metric tonnes.
bed_cu_ft = length_ft × width_ft × (depth_in / 12) with_waste = bed_cu_ft × (1 + waste%) cubic_yards = with_waste / 27 tons = cubic_yards × density (default 1.4 tons/yd³)
Example: 10 ft × 10 ft × 4 in with 10% waste is 1.36 yd³ — about 1.90 tons at 1.4 tons/yd³. A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway at the same depth is 2.72 yd³ / 3.80 tons.
FAQ
Why cubic yards and estimated tons on the same page?
Landscape yards sell by the cubic yard. Quarries sell by the ton on a weigh-ticket. This page does both: volume, then tons = yards × density (default 1.4 tons/yd³). Short tons (2,000 lb). Rock, not a bag count.
Why is depth an input, not a recommended thickness?
A patio pad, a walkway, and a driveway are the same rectangle at different depths. This tool does not tell you how thick a driveway should be. Type the depth you were quoted. Four inches is a starting number here, not a spec.
What does the waste percent cover on gravel?
Extra stone for spillage, irregular edges, and compaction. Default 10%. A tight pad can run 5%; a messy driveway edge often wants 15%. Waste multiplies volume before tons. Not a compaction spec.
Driveway vs a patio pad — same calculator?
Same length × width × depth. A 10×10 pad at 4 inches with 10% waste is 1.36 yd³ / 1.90 tons at 1.4 tons/yd³. A 20×10 driveway at that depth is 2.72 yd³ / 3.80 tons. Change the depth if the driveway is thicker. Not a structural spec.
How much gravel for a 10×10 pad?
At 4 inches with 10% waste: 1.36 cubic yards, about 1.90 tons. Depth is your input. Double the length to 20 ft and you get 2.72 yd³ / 3.80 tons at the same depth.
Is this a weigh-ticket?
No. Quantity math only. Density 1.4 is typical loose gravel, labeled as an estimate. The quarry’s scale is the last word. Not engineering, not drainage, not load-bearing.