Gravel Coverage Chart: Square Feet per Ton & Cubic Yard
Suppliers sell gravel by the cubic yard or by the ton, but your project is measured in square feet and inches. This chart converts between them so you can sanity-check any quote or estimate.
Coverage by depth
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, and coverage falls in proportion as depth increases. The per-ton column uses crushed stone (#57) at about 2,600 lb per cubic yard, so a ton covers roughly 77% as much area as a cubic yard.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers (crushed stone) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 249 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 125 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 83 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 62 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 42 sq ft |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft | 31 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 21 sq ft |
Figures are for loose material placed at the stated depth, before any allowance for compaction or waste.
Weight by gravel type
Gravel is heavier or lighter per yard depending on the stone, its size, and how much fine material is mixed in. These are the typical values the Gravel Calculator uses. Your supplier's actual weight can differ, especially for wet or freshly screened stock.
| Gravel type | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard | 1 ton covers at 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (#57) | 2,600 lb | 1.30 | 83 sq ft |
| River rock | 2,650 lb | 1.32 | 82 sq ft |
| Crushed limestone | 2,700 lb | 1.35 | 80 sq ft |
| Pea gravel | 2,800 lb | 1.40 | 77 sq ft |
| Decomposed granite | 2,800 lb | 1.40 | 77 sq ft |
How to use the chart
- Measure the area in square feet (length × width).
- Pick your depth from the chart, then divide your area by the coverage figure.
- Add about 10% for settling, compaction and an uneven sub-grade.
- Round up to the increment your supplier sells.