Calculate cubic yards and tons of gravel, mulch, topsoil, or sand for any area.
A 10×10-foot area covered 4 inches deep with gravel requires approximately 1.23 cubic yards or 1.7 tons of material. Our calculator handles gravel, crushed stone, mulch, topsoil, and sand — with correct density conversions between cubic yards and tons for each material type.
Gravel and aggregate materials are confusing to estimate because they're sold differently depending on the supplier: some sell by the cubic yard, others by the ton. The conversion is not the same for all materials — crushed stone is approximately 1.35–1.5 tons per cubic yard, while mulch is only 0.5–0.8 tons per cubic yard. Using the wrong density assumption leads to significant over- or under-ordering.
Different materials have dramatically different weights per cubic yard. Clean crushed gravel (3/4-inch minus) is approximately 1.35–1.5 tons per cubic yard. Crusher run (compactable base material with fines) compacts to approximately 1.5–1.75 tons per cubic yard — the fines fill the voids, making it denser than clean stone. Pea gravel (rounded, 3/8-inch) is approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Topsoil varies from 0.9 to 1.2 tons per cubic yard. Wood mulch weighs 0.4–0.8 tons per cubic yard depending on type and moisture content. Sand (dry) is approximately 1.4–1.6 tons per cubic yard. Our calculator uses correct density values for each material type.
Crushed stone (3/4-inch minus): the standard driveway and path gravel. The angular shape locks together under traffic and doesn't migrate like rounded pea gravel. Compacts well, sheds water, and provides a stable surface. Crusher run (road base): a blend of crushed stone and stone dust that binds and compacts almost like pavement — the best base layer under concrete slabs, asphalt, or interlock pavers. Pea gravel: rounded, smooth stones excellent for playgrounds, dog runs, and drainage applications, but unstable for driveways. Drainage stone (clear stone, 1.5-inch plus): large-diameter washed stone used for French drains and perimeter drainage where high void space is needed for water flow.
Coverage depth depends on the application. Driveway surface layer: 4 inches of compacted crusher run (order 5–6 inches loose — it compacts 20–25%). Decorative pathway or garden gravel: 2–3 inches for appearance and weed suppression. Under a concrete slab: 4 inches of compacted clean gravel. Under interlock pavers: 6–8 inches of compacted crusher run plus 1 inch of bedding sand. French drain trench: fill to within 6–8 inches of the surface with 1.5-inch clear stone. Mulch for garden beds: 3 inches is the sweet spot — enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture without suffocating plant roots.
Gravel and aggregate are typically delivered by the cubic yard (landscaping supplier) or by the ton (quarry or concrete plant). A standard dump truck holds 10–15 cubic yards; a pickup truck holds approximately 1–1.5 cubic yards. For projects under 2–3 cubic yards, buying bagged material (0.5 cubic foot bags) from a hardware store may be more practical than ordering delivery — the per-yard cost is higher but there's no minimum delivery charge ($60–$100 at most suppliers). For large projects over 5 cubic yards, bulk delivery is significantly more economical.
Topsoil quality varies enormously — cheap fill topsoil may be mostly clay or sand with little organic matter. For garden beds and lawns, specify screened topsoil with visible organic content. Good topsoil should be dark, crumbly, and have an earthy smell. For mulch, hardwood mulch is more durable than softwood and breaks down more slowly. Freshly chipped wood mulch can deplete soil nitrogen as it decomposes — allow fresh chips to age for 6 months before use, or apply a balanced fertilizer when using fresh chips on planting beds.
20 × 20 = 400 sq ft × 0.333 feet (4 inches) = 133 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards. Round up to 5.5 cubic yards to account for compaction and settling. At approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that's about 7.7 tons. Most driveways use crusher run compacted in two layers for a total finished depth of 4 inches.
A new gravel driveway should have 6–8 inches of compacted base (crusher run), with a 2–3 inch surface layer of clean 3/4-inch crushed stone for a total of 8–10 inches. If laying over an existing gravel surface in good condition, a 2–3 inch refresh layer is sufficient.
200 sq ft × 3 inches deep = 200 × 0.25 feet = 50 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. Round up to 2 cubic yards. At a typical retail price of $30–$50 per cubic yard (bulk), budget $60–$100 plus delivery. Bagged mulch works out to approximately $8–$12 per cubic yard equivalent when bought in bulk quantities.
Cubic yards measure volume; tons measure weight. The conversion depends on the material's density. For gravel: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.35–1.5 tons. For mulch: 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.5–0.8 tons. Always confirm with your supplier which unit they use for pricing, and use our calculator to convert between the two automatically.
Install edge restraints (plastic or metal landscape edging, concrete curbing, or Belgian block) along both sides before placing gravel. Angular crushed stone reduces migration because the faces interlock under traffic. A final compaction pass with a plate compactor after gravel placement also reduces surface looseness significantly.
Common questions answered — straight from the job site.
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