GRAVEL WEIGHT GUIDE • UPDATED 2026
Gravel Weight Guide: How Much Does Gravel Weigh?
Gravel is sold by tons, cubic yards, and cubic feet — but suppliers don't always quote the same unit. This guide gives you the weight of every common gravel type, the formulas to convert between volume and weight, and a step-by-step process for estimating your project order.
Quick Answer: How Much Does Gravel Weigh?
1 cubic foot of gravel: 90–120 lbs (≈ 100 lbs average)
1 cubic yard of gravel: 2,400–3,000 lbs (≈ 1.2–1.5 short tons)
1 ton of gravel: ≈ 0.7–0.8 cubic yards in volume
Standard conversion: Cubic yards × 1.4 = tons (crushed stone average)
(crushed stone)
used for estimates
cubic foot of gravel
Convert volume to weight instantly
Enter dimensions, select a material — get tons, cubic yards, bags, and cost in one calculation.
Gravel Weight Reference Chart
The table below covers the most-asked weight questions in one place. All figures use crushed stone at the standard 1.4 tons/yd³ density unless noted.
| Gravel Amount | Weight (lbs) | Weight (tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 90–110 lbs | 0.045–0.055 t |
| 1 cubic yard | 2,400–3,000 lbs | 1.2–1.5 t |
| 2 cubic yards | 4,800–6,000 lbs | 2.4–3.0 t |
| 5 cubic yards | 12,000–15,000 lbs | 6.0–7.5 t |
| 10 cubic yards | 24,000–30,000 lbs | 12.0–15.0 t |
| 1 ton (2,000 lbs) | 2,000 lbs | ≈ 0.71 yd³ volume |
| 5 tons | 10,000 lbs | ≈ 3.6 yd³ volume |
| 10 tons | 20,000 lbs | ≈ 7.1 yd³ volume |
Gravel Weight by Material Type
The single biggest variable in gravel weight is the material itself. Rock type, grain size, and particle shape all affect how tightly gravel packs — and therefore how much a given volume weighs. The figures below are bulk densities for loose, dry material as typically delivered.
Crushed Stone
Driveways, road base, drainage layers, French drain fill. The most common gravel in North America.
Pea Gravel
Garden paths, playgrounds, decorative beds. Lighter because smooth rounded stones pack less tightly.
River Rock
Dry creek beds, drainage features, decorative landscaping. Weight varies with stone size.
Dense Grade / Road Base
Driveway base, compacted paths. Heaviest common aggregate because fine particles fill air gaps.
Limestone Gravel
Driveways, horse arenas, agricultural applications. Slightly lighter than granite-based crushed stone.
Stone Dust / Crusher Fines
Bedding under pavers, compactable paths. Densest common material — very fine particles leave almost no air gaps.
| Material | Density (t/yd³) | lbs per yd³ | Use in Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dense grade / road base | 1.50 | 3,000 | Driveway base |
| Stone dust / crusher fines | 1.60 | 3,200 | Paver bedding |
| Crushed stone (#57, #67) | 1.40 | 2,800 | General purpose |
| Limestone gravel | 1.35 | 2,700 | Driveways, arenas |
| River rock | 1.30 | 2,600 | Decorative, drainage |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 2,700 | Paths, gardens |
Cubic Yards to Tons — Conversion Formulas
Suppliers may quote gravel in cubic yards while delivery trucks load by weight, or vice versa. These formulas handle the conversion for each common material.
Cubic yards → tons
EXAMPLE — 5 CUBIC YARDS OF CRUSHED STONE
5 yd³ × 1.40 = 7.0 tons (14,000 lbs)
Tons → cubic yards
EXAMPLE — 10 TONS OF CRUSHED STONE
10 ÷ 1.40 = 7.14 cubic yards
Cubic feet → pounds
EXAMPLE — 50 CUBIC FEET OF CRUSHED STONE
50 ft³ × 105 = 5,250 lbs (approximately 2.6 tons)
How Much Area Does 1 Ton of Gravel Cover?
Coverage depends on depth. The same ton of gravel covers a larger area at 2 inches than at 6 inches. Use this table as a quick reference when working backwards from a quantity rather than from a project area.
| Depth | Coverage per Ton | Coverage per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 200–240 sq ft | 320 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 100–120 sq ft | 160 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 65–80 sq ft | 107 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 50–60 sq ft | 80 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 33–40 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
COVERAGE EXAMPLE — 600 SQ FT DRIVEWAY AT 4 INCHES
At 4 inches: 1 ton covers ~55 sq ft
600 ÷ 55 = 10.9 tons needed
Add 10% waste: order 12 tons
Why Does Gravel Weight Vary?
Two projects can order "the same gravel" and receive loads that weigh differently per yard. Four factors explain most of the variation.
Rock mineralogy
Granite (specific gravity ~2.65) is denser than limestone (~2.55) which is denser than pumice (~0.4). Most common gravel aggregates fall between 2.5 and 2.8 specific gravity, but even small differences produce measurable weight variation across a full truckload.
Grain size and angularity
Angular crushed stone fragments interlock and pack tightly, leaving fewer air voids — so a cubic yard weighs more than the same volume of rounded pea gravel, which packs loosely. Stone dust is the most extreme example: very fine particles fill nearly every void.
Moisture content
Water fills the air gaps between stones and adds to the total weight. A rained-on load of gravel can weigh 5–15% more than the same dry volume. Suppliers base density figures on loose dry gravel — if you are ordering after wet weather, discuss this with your supplier.
Compaction state
Loose, freshly dumped gravel has more air between particles than gravel that has been compacted. The same weight of gravel takes less measured volume once compacted. This is why driveway gravel "disappears" after the first few weeks — it isn't going anywhere, it's just compacting into a denser layer.
How Much Gravel Fits in a Truck?
Understanding truck capacity is essential before ordering — getting the wrong truck size either means multiple deliveries (expensive) or an overloaded vehicle (illegal on many roads and damaging to your driveway).
Full-size pickup truck
Half-ton payload rating. Good for small landscape jobs. Exceeding the rating causes suspension and brake wear — check your truck's GVWR sticker.
Small dump truck
Common for residential landscaping deliveries. Can typically access a standard suburban driveway. Delivery fee usually $50–$100.
Standard dump truck
The typical residential bulk gravel delivery. Covers a standard driveway project in one load. Confirm turning radius and overhead clearance before scheduling.
Large / tandem dump truck
Used for large driveways, commercial projects, and road base. Requires wide, firm access. May need a permit for certain road classes.
Calculating Gravel Weight for a Driveway
Driveways are the project type where getting weight right matters most — both for ordering the correct quantity and for understanding delivery requirements.
DRIVEWAY WORKED EXAMPLE
Driveway: 50 ft long × 12 ft wide × 6 inches deep
Volume: 50 × 12 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 11.1 cubic yards
Weight (dense grade, 1.5 t/yd³): 11.1 × 1.5 = 16.7 tons
Add 10% waste: 16.7 × 1.10 = 18.4 tons
How to Estimate Gravel Weight for Any Project
Follow these four steps to convert your project measurements into a weight-based order. The gravel calculator automates every step — this breakdown explains what it's doing so you can verify the result.
Measure the project area
Length × width in feet for rectangular areas. For circles, use π × radius². For irregular shapes, divide into rectangles, calculate each, and add.
Convert depth to feet
Depth in inches ÷ 12 = depth in feet. The formula needs consistent units.
Calculate cubic yards
EXAMPLE
20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in (0.33 ft): 20 × 10 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 2.44 yd³
Convert to tons and add waste
EXAMPLE CONTINUED
2.44 yd³ × 1.40 = 3.42 tons
3.42 × 1.10 = order 3.8 tons
Common Gravel Weight Mistakes
Confusing tons and cubic yards
Cubic yards measure volume. Tons measure weight. A supplier quoting per ton and one quoting per cubic yard are not giving you equivalent prices — you need to convert to compare. Use the formulas above or the cubic yards to tons calculator to normalize both quotes to the same unit before comparing.
Using a single density for all materials
Applying 1.4 t/yd³ to stone dust (actually 1.6) will cause you to significantly underorder. Applying it to river rock (actually 1.3) will cause you to order too much. Always confirm the material type and use the corresponding density from the table above.
Ignoring moisture when scheduling delivery
If your supplier measures by weight and it has recently rained, the delivered quantity by volume may be less than expected because the wet material is heavier per yard. Discuss this with your supplier if ordering after significant rainfall, or ask them to quote by volume rather than weight.
Overlooking truck access before a large order
A 14-ton standard dump truck is a large vehicle. Before confirming a bulk delivery, measure gate width, check overhead clearance (low wires are a common issue), and confirm the driveway surface can support a loaded truck without rutting. If access is marginal, split the order into two smaller loads or ask about alternative delivery methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh? +
One cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 2,400–3,000 pounds (1.2–1.5 short tons), depending on material type and moisture. Crushed stone averages about 2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.4 tons); stone dust and dense-grade aggregate are heavier at around 3,000–3,200 lbs; pea gravel and river rock are lighter at 2,400–2,700 lbs.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel? +
Using the standard crushed stone density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard: 1 ton equals about 0.71 cubic yards. For heavier materials like dense grade (1.5 t/yd³), 1 ton equals 0.67 cubic yards. For lighter pea gravel (1.35 t/yd³), 1 ton equals 0.74 cubic yards.
How much does 1 cubic foot of gravel weigh? +
One cubic foot of crushed stone weighs approximately 100–110 pounds. Pea gravel weighs about 95–105 lbs per cubic foot. Stone dust weighs 115–125 lbs per cubic foot. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, so multiplying these values by 27 gives you the per-yard weight figures in the table above.
Is gravel heavier when wet? +
Yes — significantly so. Water fills the air voids between stones, adding its own weight to the total. A fully saturated load of gravel can weigh 8–15% more than the same dry volume. Suppliers base their density figures on loose, dry material. If you suspect your delivered gravel is wet, discuss the discrepancy with your supplier — most will account for it on large orders.
How much gravel fits in a pickup truck? +
A standard full-size pickup truck rated at a half-ton payload can safely carry about 1,000 lbs — roughly 0.35–0.4 cubic yards of crushed stone, or about 7–8 standard 50-lb bags equivalent in loose gravel. Exceeding the payload rating damages the suspension, reduces braking performance, and voids the warranty on many vehicles. Always check the sticker inside the driver's door jamb for your truck's specific payload capacity.
How many tons of gravel do I need for my project? +
Multiply cubic yards by the material density: cubic yards × 1.4 = tons for crushed stone. A typical walkway (40 × 3 ft at 3 in) needs about 1.5 tons. A standard patio (16 × 16 ft at 4 in) needs about 4 tons. A 50 × 12 ft driveway at 6 in needs roughly 17–19 tons. Use the gravel calculator for your exact dimensions.
Ready to calculate your order?
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