Key Takeaways
- At 1.4 tons per cubic yard Aggregate Industries, one ton covers about 116 square feet at 2 inches deep
- Doubling the depth halves the coverage; halving the depth doubles it
- Density varies by material: crushed stone runs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard
- Use your supplier’s density for the most accurate coverage estimate
- The coverage calculator does this conversion automatically
Cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 3 feet on each side, commonly used in the US for ordering gravel and other aggregates.
Density in gravel calculations refers to the weight of material per unit volume, typically measured in tons per cubic yard or tonnes per cubic metre.
At a typical density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton of gravel covers about 115 square feet at 2 inches deep. That figure moves with both the depth you lay it at and the density of the specific material, so treat it as a planning number rather than an exact one, and check it against your own supplier’s density once you have it.
Coverage by depth, for one ton
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, a ton of gravel is about 19.3 cubic feet. Spread that volume over different depths and the area it covers changes accordingly:
[ORIGINAL DATA]
| Depth | Coverage for 1 ton |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | about 231 sq ft |
| 2 inches | about 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | about 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | about 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | about 39 sq ft |
Doubling the depth halves the coverage, because the volume of material stays fixed. This is the single most useful thing to remember when comparing two quotes at different depths: a supplier who quotes a smaller number of square feet is not necessarily quoting a worse deal, they may simply be assuming a deeper layer.
Why the number is a range, not a fact
A ton is a fixed weight. What it covers depends on how dense the material is and how thick you spread it, and density is not the same for every gravel. Washed crushed stone commonly runs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so the table above shifts by roughly plus or minus 8 percent depending on where your particular material falls in that range. A lighter, more angular stone with a lot of void space between the pieces will cover more ground per ton than a dense graded material like crusher run, which packs tighter and weighs more for the same volume.
If your supplier has quoted you a density, use it. It describes the actual pile you are buying rather than a category average, and it is the number that decides whether you have ordered enough.
Working it out for your own job
The general shape of the calculation is: divide the tonnage by the density to get a volume, then divide the volume by the depth to get an area. In reverse, that is exactly the question our coverage calculator answers: enter the tons you already have and the depth you want to lay them at, and it returns the square footage, without you doing the division by hand.
Going the other way, if you know the area and want the tonnage instead, the square feet calculator and the main gravel calculator both take a length and width (or a known area) plus a depth and return tons, cubic yards and cubic metres together, with a waste allowance added on top for ordering. For how that density figure is chosen and where it comes from, see how many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel.
Editorial note: This article is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. All calculations use standard industry formulas. For the latest density figures, consult your gravel supplier directly.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep with a typical density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton covers about 116 square feet. At 4 inches deep, it covers about 58 square feet. The exact coverage depends on the material’s density.
How much gravel do I need for a 100 square foot area?
At 2 inches deep, you need about 0.86 tons. At 3 inches, about 1.3 tons. At 4 inches, about 1.73 tons. Add 10 percent FHWA for waste and compaction. Use the gravel calculator for precise measurements.
Does pea gravel cover more area than crushed stone?
Yes. Pea gravel is lighter (about 1.35 tons per cubic yard), so a ton of pea gravel covers slightly more area than a ton of crushed stone (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard). The difference is roughly 5 to 8 percent.
How do I convert square feet to tons of gravel?
Multiply the area by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the material’s density. The square feet calculator handles this conversion automatically.