Gravel calculator for Kansas
Calculate cubic yards and tons for gravel or landscape rock, identify the product to order, and have it delivered free.
Enter your project dimensions
At 2 inches deep, a ton of crushed gravel covers about 116 square feet. That is the coverage estimate used by this calculator. Enter the length, width, and depth, choose a gravel type, and see cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. It also calculates landscape rock, since crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar materials weigh close to 2,800 lb per cubic yard.
Calculating the gravel you need
- Take measurements in feet. For a rectangle, enter length and width; for a circle, enter its diameter. Divide an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles and use multiple-areas mode to total them.
- Choose the depth in inches. Walkways and gravel refreshes usually use 2-3 inches. Build a new driveway with 4-6 inches in two layers rather than one pour.
- Multiply the area by depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide that result by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 for tons.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed gravel at ~2,800 lb per cubic yard)
Useful weight and coverage figures
Dry crushed gravel is about 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons. A ton equals about 0.71 cubic yards. As depth increases, coverage drops quickly:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 39 sq ft |
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway / walkway gravel | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Pea gravel (3/8") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crushed stone (#57, 3/4") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crusher run / road base | ≈ 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| River rock (1–3") | ≈ 2,700 lb | 1.35 |
Recommended depths by project
- Garden paths and walkways: Use 2-3 inches of walkway gravel over compacted ground or fabric.
- Existing driveway refresh: Add 2 inches of surface gravel.
- New driveways: Start with 3-4 inches of compacted crusher run and add 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57 above it. The lower layer supports traffic, while the upper layer drains and finishes the surface.
- Patios and seating areas: Use 2-3 inches within firm edging.
- French drains and soggy spots: Plan for 12 inches or more of clean stone. Use the Stone Calculator for drainage work, which calls for washed rock without fines.
Example: a 50 x 10 ft driveway
For 500 square feet at 4 inches deep, calculate 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. After dividing by 27, that comes to 6.2 cubic yards or 8.7 tons. Allow 5% for compaction, bringing the order to about 9 tons. Use a roughly 60/40 split of crusher run base and surface gravel. That layered approach helps keep loose rock in place after a flash rain. A driveway measured precisely can still fail if a single 2-inch layer is placed directly on dirt.
Common projects, already estimated
Use these starting estimates before measuring, calculated at 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car driveway pad | 20 x 10 ft | 4" | 2.5 yd³ | 3.5 tons |
| Two-car driveway | 24 x 20 ft | 4" | 5.9 yd³ | 8.3 tons |
| Country driveway | 50 x 12 ft | 6" | 11.1 yd³ | 15.6 tons |
| Garden path | 20 x 3 ft | 3" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Patio seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Shed base | 10 x 12 ft | 4" | 1.5 yd³ | 2.1 tons |
Four errors behind extra deliveries
- Omitting the base on a new driveway. Gravel spread directly on soil may rut within a season. Put down the base layer, then the surface layer.
- Comparing bids only by area. Depth can change the amount for the same 20 x 10 pad, so compare quotes using equal tons.
- A layer below 2 inches is likely to disappear into spring mud. Even one inch of gravel can work down into wet ground.
- Forgetting the crown. Water can pond on a level surface, while a 2% slope directs it away and helps hold fines in place.
Choosing gravel for each surface
Crushed gravel has angular faces that bind under traffic, making it the practical choice for tire areas. Pea gravel and river rock are rounded, so they shift under weight and fit better in beds and walking paths. For a durable driveway, use a compacting base such as crusher run or road base beneath a draining finish such as driveway gravel or #57. To compare materials or identify what is already installed, send a photo through our contact form.
Gravel sold in yards, tons, and truckloads
One pile has three common units. A cubic yard measures volume, while a ton is 2,000 lb of weight, or about 0.71 yards of gravel. A truckload depends on capacity: 8-10 yards for a single-axle dump truck and 12-16 yards (17-22 tons) for a tandem. Convert quotes to tons before comparing prices. Compare the delivered total. Hauling may account for half the cost of aggregate; free delivery on every Kansas Rock Supply order means the displayed per-ton price is what arrives at your driveway.
How to measure irregular driveways
Measuring curves and turnarounds takes a little more care. For a curved lane, measure down the center and use the average width. Treat a bulb turnaround like a circle by measuring its widest span as the diameter. On a slope, make the base thicker on the downhill side, where water and gravel collect. For an awkward layout, separate it into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.
Preparing for delivery
- Decide on the drop location before the truck arrives. Choose firm ground away from low wires and septic field crossings.
- Place the load near the job area. One yard of gravel means 9-14 wheelbarrow trips, and an extra 10 feet becomes a lot of travel across 6 yards.
- If gravel is being tipped on pavement you want to protect, put down a tarp first. That changes cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
- Pack the base course before adding the surface course. A plate compactor can be rented cheaply, and truck tires can work in a pinch.
Gravel answers with the math included
What area will 1 ton of gravel cover?
How can I calculate my gravel quantity?
What gravel amount covers a 10x10 area?
How many gravel yards equal a ton?
What does a truckload of gravel hold?
What does a yard of gravel cost?
Do I need extra material for compaction?
Can gravel be installed over grass?
Other calculators
That tonnage includes free delivery.
Driveway gravel, #57, and crusher run are priced per ton and delivered throughout Kansas.
