Box / room
Also: rectangular prism, bed, trench, room
V = L × W × H
L = length, W = width, H = height or depth.
Example: A driveway 100 ft long and 10 ft wide with 6 in of compacted base: 100 × 10 × 0.5 = 500 cu ft = 18.5 cu yd × 2.03 = 37.6 tons.
Quick answer: tons = length × width (ft) × compacted depth (in) ÷ 324 × 2.03. A 100 × 10 ft driveway with 6 in of compacted crusher run needs about 37.6 tons.
How to calculate gravel for a driveway
- Measure the length and width in feet. Split curves and parking areas into separate rectangles or circles.
- Pick a layer and its depth. For crusher run, enter the compacted depth. For clean stone such as #57, enter the loose depth you will spread.
- Cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 324.
- Tons = cubic yards × 2.03 for compacted crusher run, or × 1.31 for loose #57 or #3.
- Add each layer to the driveway total.
Tons = L (ft) × W (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 × tons per cu yd
The factors come from the Tennessee DOT Roadway Design Guidelines, Chapter 4: 2.03 tons per compacted cubic yard of aggregate base, and 2,619 lb (1.31 tons) per loose cubic yard of #57 stone.
Driveway layers
| Layer | Common stone | Common depth |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom (soft or wet ground) | #3 or larger clean stone, sometimes on geotextile | 3–4 in |
| Base | Crusher run / road base, compacted | 4–6 in |
| Top | #57, crusher run or a local driveway mix | 2–3 in |
These are common residential builds, not code requirements. Firm, well-drained soil may need only the base and top. Soft clay needs more, and long or busy driveways may need an engineer’s design. Crown the surface or slope it so water runs off to the sides.
Tons of gravel by driveway size
Compacted crusher run at 2.03 tons per cubic yard, before waste:
| Driveway | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 × 10 ft | 12.5 t | 18.8 t | 25.1 t |
| 100 × 10 ft | 25.1 t | 37.6 t | 50.1 t |
| 100 × 12 ft | 30.1 t | 45.1 t | 60.1 t |
| 200 × 12 ft | 60.1 t | 90.2 t | 120.3 t |
Driveway shapes
Area × depth
Also: square feet to cubic feet
V = A × d
A = area, d = depth or thickness.
Example: A driveway and parking area that add up to 1,200 sq ft, 6 in compacted: 600 cu ft = 22.2 cu yd × 2.03 = 45.1 tons.
Sloped slab
Also: ramp, uneven depth, tapered bed
V = L × W × (h₁ + h₂) ÷ 2
L = length, W = width, h₁ and h₂ = depth at each end.
Example: A 100 × 10 ft driveway built 8 in deep at the road and 4 in at the house: 100 × 10 × (0.667 + 0.333) ÷ 2 = 500 cu ft, about 37.6 tons of compacted base.
Cylinder
Also: round hole, post hole, tank, planter
V = π × r² × h
r = radius (half the diameter), h = height.
Example: A turnaround circle 30 ft across with 6 in of compacted base: π × 15² × 0.5 = 353 cu ft = 13.1 cu yd × 2.03 = 26.6 tons.
Worked examples
New driveway in three layers
A 100 × 10 ft driveway on soft ground:
#3 stone 4 in loose: 333 cu ft × 97 ÷ 2,000 = 16.2 t. Crusher run 4 in compacted: 12.35 cu yd × 2.03 = 25.1 t. #57 top 2 in loose: 167 cu ft × 97 ÷ 2,000 = 8.1 t. Total about 49.3 tons, before waste.
Refresh
Adding 2 in of #57 to a 60 × 10 ft driveway: 100 cu ft × 97 ÷ 2,000 = 4.85 tons.
- Just the base? The road base calculator covers compacted base in more detail. For other stone, use the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width in feet by the compacted depth in inches ÷ 12 for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards and multiply by about 2.03 tons per compacted cubic yard of crushed base. A 100 × 10 ft driveway with 6 in of base needs 18.5 cu yd, or about 37.6 tons.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Residential gravel driveways are commonly 4–8 in of compacted crushed stone in total, more on soft or clay soil and for heavy trucks. Build it in layers of about 4 in and compact each one. If you are refreshing an existing driveway, 2 in of new top stone is often enough.
What gravel is best for a driveway?
Angular crushed stone that locks together. Crusher run (road base, ¾ in minus, dense-graded aggregate) compacts hard and is often used for both the base and the surface. #57 stone is a common clean top layer, and #3 or larger stone is used as a bottom layer on soft ground. Round pea gravel and river rock roll under tires.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 1.3 tons for loose #57 stone and about 2.03 tons per cubic yard of compacted crusher run (the Tennessee DOT’s estimating factors). That is why the calculator asks whether your depth is the compacted depth or the loose depth.
How wide should a driveway be?
Single-car driveways are commonly 10–12 ft wide, and two-car driveways about 20–24 ft. Leave extra width on curves and where you park. Check local rules, especially where the driveway meets the street.
How do I calculate a driveway with several layers?
Work out each layer on its own, with its own stone and depth, and press “Add this layer to the driveway total”. The calculator keeps a running total of tons, yards and cost for the whole driveway.
Is this gravel driveway calculator free to use online?
Yes. The CalcWall Gravel Driveway Calculator is completely free and works online in any browser, on a phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to download and no account to create, and the math runs right in your browser, so results appear as you type.