Gravel Calculators
Cubic Yards to Tons Gravel Calculator
Planning happens in volume; ordering happens in weight. Convert cubic yards to tons (or tons back to yards) if you already know one side — or enter your length × width × depth and get both at once, in yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, tons, pounds, and kilograms. Starting from a blank plan? Start with the main calculator to size the space first, then convert here.
About this calculator
Accuracy and limitations
The conversion depends entirely on the material's density, and moisture changes real delivered weights. The tables above use loose, dry averages.
When this calculator may not be appropriate
This tool is for project planning only. It is not intended for engineering design, official or legal documentation, regulatory filings, or contractor bids without quantities verified with a supplier or qualified professional.
Why trust this tool?
- The formula and the density figure are shown with every result, so you can check the math yourself.
- Built and reviewed by ianwelkins, who maintains every tool on this site.
- The full method is published on the methodology page.
Quick reference: yards, tons, and coverage
| Material | 1 yd³ | 5 yd³ | 10 yd³ | 20 yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (loose, dry) | 1.42 t | 7.1 t | 14.2 t | 28.3 t |
| Pea gravel | 1.49 t | 7.5 t | 14.9 t | 29.9 t |
| Crushed stone | 1.43 t | 7.2 t | 14.3 t | 28.7 t |
| Crusher run | 1.60 t | 8.0 t | 16.0 t | 32.1 t |
| Sand (dry) | 1.35 t | 6.8 t | 13.5 t | 27.1 t |
| #57 stone | 1.35 t | 6.8 t | 13.5 t | 27.1 t |
| Area | 2" deep | 3" deep | 4" deep | 6" deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² (10×10) | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 200 ft² (20×10) | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 400 ft² (20×20) | 2.47 | 3.70 | 4.94 | 7.41 |
| 600 ft² (30×20) | 3.70 | 5.56 | 7.41 | 11.11 |
| 1,000 ft² (50×20) | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
The math behind every figure: yards = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, and tons = cubic yards × density. One cubic yard covers 162 ft² at 2 inches, 108 ft² at 3 inches, or 81 ft² at 4 inches. Densities are loose and dry — compaction and moisture push real loads higher.
Related tools & guides
Gravel Weight Calculator
Bidirectional volume↔weight converter with the full density reference table.
Gravel Cost Calculator
Multiply the tonnage by your supplier's quoted rate.
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
The formula, depth guidance by project, and pre-computed tables.
Are Online Calculators Accurate?
What an estimate can and cannot tell you.
Pea Gravel Calculator
Quantity planning for round stone.
Gravel Driveway Calculator
Layered quantities for driven surfaces.
Conversion FAQ
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.35–1.5 tons for most gravel: loose dry gravel ≈ 1.42 tons, pea gravel ≈ 1.49, washed #57 ≈ 1.35, crusher run ≈ 1.60. Pick your material in the calculator for its exact figure.
How many cubic yards of gravel do I need for 100 square feet?
At 2 inches deep: 100 × 0.167 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.62 cubic yards. At 3 inches: ≈ 0.93 cubic yards. At 4 inches: ≈ 1.23 cubic yards. The table above covers the common cases; the calculator handles any size.
How do I convert depth in inches to cubic yards?
Divide the depth in inches by 12 to get feet, multiply by the area in square feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. Example: 200 sq ft at 3 inches is 200 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, which is 50 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.85 cubic yards.
How many tons is 5 cubic yards of gravel?
Roughly 7 tons of loose gravel (5 × 1.42 ≈ 7.1), about 7.5 tons of pea gravel, or 8 tons of crusher run. The calculator handles any yardage with the material's density.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard covers 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches, or 81 square feet at 4 inches. Coverage shrinks fast as depth increases because a yard is a fixed volume.
Is the yards-to-tons conversion the same for every gravel?
No — it depends entirely on density. Angular crushed stone with fines (crusher run) packs about 15% heavier into the same yard than washed stone, and moisture adds more on top. That's why a single "magic number" conversion misleads.