How many tons is a yard of gravel?

A yard of dry, loose gravel weighs 1.28–1.43 tons (2,550–2,850 lb). Wet ¼–2 in gravel weighs about 1.7 tons per yard in one Caterpillar table.

How many 0.5 cu ft bags of gravel make a cubic yard?

One cubic yard of gravel takes 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft.

Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards and Tons

One cubic yard of gravel covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep and weighs 1.28–1.43 tons. Enter your area below for the cubic yards to order, rounded up the way supply yards sell, plus tons, bags and cost.

Material

Shape

Area

Length ft

Width ft

Count

Depth in

Tape readings work: 10' 6", 10½. Sloped? Type the depth as 2-6. Other material? Use the cubic yard calculator.

Order

1.25 cubic yards to order

rounded up to the nearest ¼ yd³

Solid: exact 1.11 yd³. Dashed: what you order, 1.25 yd³ (rounded up). Person: 6 ft, for scale.

Weight: 1.59–1.78 tons (dry, loose)
Bags: 60 × 0.5 cu ft (50 lb)
Cost: $19–$94

Round up to your supplier's step. Compacting it as a base? Pick crushed stone base (compacted) — it orders more loose stone.

Details: exact volume, bags vs bulk, order sheet

Exact 1.11 yd³ · 30 ft³ · 0.85 m³

At 3 in deep, 1 yd³ covers 108 ft².

You need 1.25 cubic yards of gravel ≈ 1.59–1.78 tons (dry, loose) ≈ 60 bags of 0.5 cu ft (50 lb).

Bags vs bulk: price per 0.5 cu ft (50 lb) bag, $

Order sheet for your supplier

Gravel weight: dry, loose (Caterpillar, Vulcan Materials). Cost: reference range, delivered within about 10 miles (HomeGuide, Dec 2025); local prices vary.

Result looks wrong? Tell us

Gravel types by weight and price

Gravel types weigh 2,376–2,850 lb per cubic yard loose, depending on the stone.

Gravel types: weight, bags and price per cubic yard
Material	lb per yd³	tons per yd³	Bags	$ per yd³
Graveldry, loose	2,550–2,850	1.28–1.43	0.5 cu ft (50 lb)	$15–$75
Pea gravel^*loose, typical	2,600–2,700	1.3–1.35	0.5 cu ft (50 lb)	$29–$86
Crushed stoneloose, as delivered	2,600–2,700	1.3–1.35	Bulk only	$35–$54
River rock^*loose, varies with stone size	2,376–2,700	1.19–1.35	0.5 cu ft	$54–$80

* Estimate: supplier data or one source only. Prices are reference ranges, updated September 2026; local prices vary.

Sources (9)

Pick the type in the calculator for the right tons. Round stone for paths and play areas has its own pea gravel calculator. A driveway base has its own gravel driveway calculator.

Gravel weight wet, dry and by stone size

Gravel weight rises with water and stone size: Caterpillar lists 2,550 lb per yard dry, 2,850 lb dry at ¼–2 in, and 3,400 lb wet at ¼–2 in.

The wet figure comes from one source. One ton of dry gravel is 0.7–0.78 cubic yards; heavier stone gives fewer yards per ton.

Material	yd³ per ton	ft³ per ton
Gravel	0.7–0.78	19–21
Pea gravel	0.74–0.77	20–21
Crushed stone	0.74–0.77	20–21
River rock	0.74–0.84	20–23

Gravel worked example: 30 ft walkway

A 30 × 4 ft gravel walkway at 3 in deep takes 1.25 cubic yards, or 1.59–1.78 tons.

Area30 ft × 4 ft120 ft²
Volume120 ft² × 3 in ÷ 1230 ft³
Cubic yards30 ft³ ÷ 271.11 yd³
Ordernext ¼ yard up1.25 yd³
Weight1.25 yd³ × 2,550–2,850 lb1.59–1.78 tons
Bags0.5 cu ft (50 lb) bags60 bags

Gravel calculator FAQ

How many tons is a yard of gravel?: A yard of dry, loose gravel weighs 1.28–1.43 tons (2,550–2,850 lb). Wet ¼–2 in gravel weighs about 1.7 tons per yard in one Caterpillar table.
How many 0.5 cu ft bags of gravel make a cubic yard?: One cubic yard of gravel takes 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft.