Guide · matched to the driveway gravel calculator

How much gravel do you need for a driveway?

Order gravel by volume (cubic yards) and often by weight (tons). This guide walks through the same math as the free driveway gravel calculator, with worked examples you can re-run yourself.

The formula (same as the calculator)

Convert depth from inches to feet: depth_ft = depth_in ÷ 12.
Volume in cubic feet: length_ft × width_ft × depth_ft.
Cubic yards: cubic_feet ÷ 27.
Add a waste/overage factor (calculator default +10%).
Tons ≈ cubic_yards × density. Default density 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a typical supplier starting point (for example CT Hauling and Omni Calculator gravel guides)—not a quarry invoice. Ask your yard for the stone you are buying.

Depth guidance published by the same style of supplier guides: about 2 in. to refresh an existing driveway; about 4–6 in. total for new construction (base plus surface). Confirm local code and soil conditions with your contractor.

Worked examples

Example B — new 100 × 12 ft driveway at 6 in

Cubic feet = 100 × 12 × 0.5 = 600 cu ft → 600÷27 ≈ 22.22 yd³ → +10% = 24.44 yd³ → ×1.4 ≈ 34.2 tons.

Example C — thin 40 × 10 ft top-up at 2 in

Cubic feet ≈ 66.7 cu ft → ≈ 2.47 yd³ → +10% = 2.72 yd³ → ×1.4 ≈ 3.8 tons.

Ordering tips that save callbacks

Ask whether the quote is by the ton or by the cubic yard, and whether delivery includes spreading.
Moisture and rock type change density—use the quarry’s tons-per-yard when you have it (edit density in the calculator).
Long rural driveways: consider staging piles so trucks can turn around without rutting soft shoulders.

Open the gravel calculator · All guides