How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?

By Dr. Ahmed Mortuza Saleque · Updated November 10, 2026 · How we check our content

The short answer

Gravel in cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. A 40 × 10 ft driveway laid 4 inches deep needs 4.94 cubic yards, about 6.9 tons. Add 10% for compaction and uneven ground and order about 5.4 cubic yards, or 7.6 tons.

Open the Gravel Calculator →

Table of gravel needed in cubic yards and tons for four driveway sizes at 4 and 6 inch depths — Tap the image to enlarge it. Free to share with a link to this page.

The calculation in three steps

Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them for the area: 40 × 10 = 400 sq ft.
Multiply by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12): 400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 133.3 cubic feet.
Divide by 27 for cubic yards: 133.3 ÷ 27 = 4.94. Multiply by 1.4 for tons: about 6.9.

The gravel calculator does this for any size. For a curved or irregular driveway, split it into rectangles and add them up.

Gravel for common driveway sizes

Loose gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, before the 10% allowance.

Driveway	4 in deep	6 in deep
20 × 10 ft (one car)	2.5 cu yd (3.5 tons)	3.7 cu yd (5.2 tons)
40 × 10 ft	4.9 cu yd (6.9 tons)	7.4 cu yd (10.4 tons)
50 × 12 ft	7.4 cu yd (10.4 tons)	11.1 cu yd (15.6 tons)
100 × 12 ft	14.8 cu yd (20.7 tons)	22.2 cu yd (31.1 tons)

Quick rule: every 100 square feet needs about 1.23 cubic yards (1.7 tons) at 4 inches deep, or 1.85 cubic yards (2.6 tons) at 6 inches.

How deep should driveway gravel be?

A new gravel driveway is usually built in layers: a base of larger crushed stone 4 to 6 inches deep, then 2 to 4 inches of smaller top gravel. Soft or clay soil, heavy vehicles and frost call for the deeper end. Topping up an existing driveway needs only 1 to 2 inches.

Calculate each layer separately, because the stone sizes and often the prices differ.

Cubic yards or tons?

Suppliers sell by either. Loose gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, but dense crushed stone can reach 1.5 and lighter rounded stone about 1.3. Ask your supplier for their figure and use it. For other materials, see the limestone calculator.

Ordering tips

Add 10% for compaction, spillage and uneven ground.
Lay landscape fabric over the soil first to stop the gravel sinking and weeds growing through.
Check the delivery truck's capacity; a standard tipper carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards.
Compact each layer before adding the next.

Common questions

How much gravel do I need for a 12 × 50 driveway?

At 4 inches deep, about 7.4 cubic yards (10.4 tons). At 6 inches, about 11.1 cubic yards (15.6 tons). Add 10% when ordering.

How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?

About 58 square feet at 4 inches deep, or 116 square feet at 2 inches, using 1.4 tons per cubic yard.

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?

About 1.4 tons for typical loose gravel. It ranges from about 1.3 to 1.5 depending on the stone.

What size gravel is best for a driveway?

A base of larger crushed stone for strength, topped with smaller angular gravel that locks together. Rounded pea gravel shifts under tyres unless it is contained.