Wondering how to measure how much gravel you need for your project? Not sure how much area a ton of gravel will cover? Or are you curious how much a load of gravel actually is?
These are just some of the questions you may be asking yourself when considering taking on a landscaping project with gravel.
When deciding on the amount of gravel that you’ll need, your estimate will depend greatly on the type of gravel that you choose, such as pea or crushed gravel. Keep in mind that different grades are found in particles from fine to course and can range from between 2-64mm.
Before you begin measuring, it’s important to first choose the type of gravel you’d like to use. Here we’ll take a look at how you can then go about figuring out exactly how much you’ll need.
How to Measure How Much Gravel You Need
Wondering how to work out exactly how much gravel you need? Consider first the location and total area of your project, taking as precise measurements as you can.
Once you have mapped out the scale of your project area, use the following guidelines and tools to help you calculate a more accurate measurement:
- When planning to fill in your desired space, remember that gravel should be 8-inches deep minimum.
- The following measurements are a general guide to the amount of gravel coverage per cubic yard 1 cubic yard = 3” depth for 100 square feet.
- If you’re still not sure or want to get the most accurate measurement possible, you can opt to use a gravel calculator. This will take away all of the guess work and allow you to simply input the measurements of your driveway, the amount of gravel you want depth wise, and get an exact calculation.
Using a Materials Calculator for Precise Measurement
Our materials calculator is very simple and easy to use. It contains a list of relevant materials such as gravel, mulches and topsoil, and tells you the right amount of depth to aim for per material (in inches). Some common examples include 3 inches for mulch, 1 inch for concrete bedding sand and 4-12 inches for gravel depending on your project.
If your project is your driveway, for example, first measure your driveway and then enter the calculations: length and width of the selected area (in feet), then desired depth that you want for the gravel. Hit calculate and you’ll have your answer. Say you have a 12ft by 20ft driveway and want to add a depth of gravel measuring 10 inches deep. The gravel required would be 7.41 cubic yards (approximately 8.5 tons).
Our calculator can be used for plenty of other projects as well. You may have a flower bed that you want top soil for or an island that needs filling. You can customize the options to cater them to whatever project you have in mind.
Try the calculator to measure how much gravel you need for your project and feel free to contact us if you have any questions! Also, don’t forget to subscribe today to start receiving our exclusive promotions.
FAQs
Multiplying the area to be covered by the desired depth yields the volume of gravel you will need. Once the volume of gravel necessary is known, the known density of the given type of gravel can be used to calculate the mass of gravel needed to complete the project.
How do I know how much river stone I need? ›
How many cubic yards or tons of river rock do you need?
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Determine the depth of rock you need (usually 2 or 3 inches).
- Convert the depth into feet by dividing the number of inches by 12.
- Multiply the length, width, and depth – this will give you the volume in cubic feet.
Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in feet (inches divided by 12). Take the total and divide by 21.6 (the amount of cubic feet in a ton). The final figure will be the estimated amount of tons required.
How much does 1 ton of river rock cover? ›
One (1) ton of river rock covers approximately a 50-75 sq. ft.
How much will 1 ton of gravel cover? ›
As a general guide, one ton of gravel typically covers approximately: 100 square feet at a 2-inch depth. 80 square feet at a 3-inch depth. 60 square feet at a 4-inch depth.
How many wheelbarrows is 1 ton of river rock? ›
Usual density of river rock is 89 lb./ cu ft. Max load in a wheelbarrow of river rock is then 6 cu ft x 89 lbs/cu ft = 534 lb. A US ton is 2000 lb. 2000 lb / 534lb per wheelbarrow = 3.75 wheel barrows per ton.
How many square feet will a 40 lb bag of rock cover? ›
Guide To Mulch & Landscape Products
| Item | Size | Coverage |
|---|
| Canadian Peat Moss | 3.8 cf. bale | 100 square feet |
| Straw | 1 bale | 300-400 square feet |
| Chips, rocks, and stones | 0.5 cf. bag or 40 pound bag | 4 square feet at 1.5 inches deep |
| Garden Fertilizer | 50 pound bag | 2000 square feet |
11 more rowsThis is done by multiplying the area you want to cover (in square meters) by the depth of stone you want to lay (in meters). This gives you the volume in cubic meters. For example, if you want to cover an area of 10 square meters to a depth of 0.5 meters, the volume of stone required would be 10 * 0.5 = 5 cubic meters.
How much gravel do I need to cover a 10x10? ›
For Example: To determine how much gravel you'd need for a 10-foot-by-10-foot patio layout with 2-1/2 inches of gravel, you'd perform the following calculation: 2-1/2 inches x 120 inches x 120 inches = 36,000 cubic inches.
How do you measure 1 yard of gravel? ›
A cubic yard is a measurement that is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. A cubic yard measures volume where a ton measures weight. A yard of topsoil usually weighs about 1,800 pounds and a yard of gravel usually weighs about 2,200 pounds.
The best river rocks for walkways and pathways are small, measuring 1 to 3 inches in diameter. This size is easiest to walk on, as it won't shift as much as smaller stones and will give a more even surface area than larger stones.
How much does a yard of 1 river rock weigh? ›
River Rock: The weight of river rock can vary depending on the size and density of the stones. On average, river rock weighs around 2,800 - 3,500 lb. (1.4 - 1.75 tons) per cubic yard.
What area will 1 ton of stone cover? ›
Depth of coverage
The thicker you want the stone to cover your area, the more stone you will naturally require to cover the whole landscape. For example, One ton of stone will cover up to 240 square feet with 1” depth, 120 square feet with 2” depth, 80 square feet with 3” depth, etc.
What size river rock should I use? ›
The best river rocks for walkways and pathways are small, measuring 1 to 3 inches in diameter.
How to figure out how much stone you need for landscaping? ›
The landscape rock formula is as follows:
- (Length x width x depth) / 27.
- Sand 1.10 – 1.25 tons (2,200 – 2,500 lb.) ...
- Landscape Gravels 1.20 – 1.35 tons (2,400 – 2,700 lb.) ...
- Washed Gravel 1.35 tons (2,700 lb.) ...
- Washed Limestone 1.20 tons (2,400 lb.) ...
- Limestone Base 1.35 tons (2,700 lb.)
River rocks cost anywhere from $80 to $450 per ton. The wide gap is mostly because river rocks are available in various sizes and colors, which can affect the final cost. Polished river rocks will be on the higher end of the price range, while unpolished natural rocks cost closer to the lower price range.
