Gravel calculator for Hawaii
Figure the cubic yards and tons for gravel or landscape rock, identify the precise product needed, and receive it with free delivery.
Enter your project dimensions
At 2 inches deep, 1 ton of crushed gravel spreads across about 116 square feet. Use this calculator to estimate a project after entering the depth, width, and length, then choosing your gravel. It gives you cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. It can also estimate landscape rock because crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar products weigh near 2,800 lb per cubic yard.
Calculate the gravel you need
- Take measurements in feet. For a rectangle, multiply length by width; for a circle, use its diameter. Break an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then use multiple-areas mode to total them.
- Enter depth in inches. Use 2 to 3 inches for paths and surface top-ups. For a new driveway, install 4 to 6 inches in two layers rather than one placement.
- Calculate cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. Divide that result by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 for tons.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed gravel at ~2,800 lb per cubic yard)
Useful gravel weights and coverage
Dry crushed gravel is about 2,800 lb in a cubic yard, which works out to 1.4 tons. A ton equals roughly 0.71 cubic yards. Deeper gravel uses up coverage quickly:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 39 sq ft |
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway / walkway gravel | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Pea gravel (3/8") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crushed stone (#57, 3/4") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crusher run / road base | ≈ 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| River rock (1–3") | ≈ 2,700 lb | 1.35 |
Project depth guide
- Garden paths and walkways: Lay 2 to 3 inches of walkway gravel on compacted ground or fabric.
- Existing driveway refresh: apply 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
- New driveways: Start with 3 to 4 inches of compacted crusher run, followed by 2 to 3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower course supports the load. The upper course manages water and provides the finished look.
- Patios and seating areas: place 2 to 3 inches within firm edging.
- French drains and soggy spots: Plan for 12 inches or more of clean stone. Use the Stone Calculator for these areas because drainage needs washed rock without fines.
Example calculation: a 50 x 10 ft driveway
For 500 square feet at 4 inches overall, calculate 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Next, divide by 27 for 6.2 cubic yards, equal to 8.7 tons. Allow 5% for compaction, bringing the order to about 9 tons. Plan roughly 60/40 crusher run base and surface gravel. Using two layers is important, especially where rain affects the base. Avoid placing a single 2-inch layer directly over dirt, even if the driveway measurement is exact.
Common projects with estimates
Use these starting estimates before measuring. Each uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car driveway pad | 20 x 10 ft | 4" | 2.5 yd³ | 3.5 tons |
| Two-car driveway | 24 x 20 ft | 4" | 5.9 yd³ | 8.3 tons |
| Country driveway | 50 x 12 ft | 6" | 11.1 yd³ | 15.6 tons |
| Garden path | 20 x 3 ft | 3" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Patio seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Shed base | 10 x 12 ft | 4" | 1.5 yd³ | 2.1 tons |
Four errors that lead to another delivery
- Omitting the base under a new driveway. Gravel spread directly over soil may rut within a season. Put down the base layer first and the surface layer after.
- Comparing estimates by area only. A 20 x 10 pad can have different depths in different bids, so use equal tons for the comparison.
- Less than 2 inches is too shallow. One inch of gravel can wash into mud during heavy rain.
- Ignoring the crown. Water collects on a flat surface, while a 2% slope directs it away and helps fines stay put.
Choosing gravel by surface
Crushed, angular gravel interlocks under weight, making it a practical choice where tires travel. Rounded material like pea gravel and river rock shifts under load, so use it for walkways and planting beds. For a driveway, use a compacting base of crusher run or road base beneath a draining surface of driveway gravel or #57. If you need to identify existing material or choose between products, send a photo through our contact form.
Gravel sales: yards, tons and truckloads
One pile can be measured three ways. Cubic yards measure volume. A ton measures weight at 2,000 lb, or about 0.71 yards of gravel. Truckloads depend on truck capacity: a single-axle dump truck carries 8 to 10 yards, while a tandem carries 12 to 16 yards (17 to 22 tons). Put quotes into tons before comparing prices. Compare the delivered amount only. Hauling may account for half the aggregate cost. Every Hawaii Rock Supply order includes free delivery, so the per-ton price shown is the price at your driveway.
How to measure irregular driveways
Curved lanes and turnarounds take a little more measuring. Follow the center of a curved drive with the tape, then use its average width. For a bulb-shaped turnaround, measure the widest point as the circle diameter. On a slope, increase base thickness at the lower end because rain and gravel move downhill there. If the layout is difficult, separate it into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.
Prepare for delivery
- Choose the drop area before the truck gets there: use firm ground and avoid low wires and septic field crossings.
- Place the material as near the project as possible. Moving 1 yard takes 9 to 14 wheelbarrow loads, and another 10 feet adds work when you have 6 yards.
- For pavement you want to protect, put down a tarp before tipping. Cleanup can take ten minutes instead of an afternoon.
- Pack the base layer before spreading the finish layer. A plate compactor is an inexpensive rental, though truck tires can help when needed.
Gravel answers in numbers
What coverage comes from 1 ton of gravel?
How can I calculate my gravel quantity?
How much gravel covers a 10x10 area?
How many gravel yards make up a ton?
What quantity is in a gravel truckload?
What is the cost of a yard of gravel?
Do I need extra material for compaction?
Can gravel go directly over grass?
Other calculators
Your tonnage includes free shipping.
Order driveway gravel, #57 or crusher run by the ton with delivery throughout Hawaii.
