What one ton of gravel covers
A ton is a weight, so the volume depends on how heavy the stone is. Using typical dry weights:
| Material | Cubic feet per ton | Sq ft at 2 in | Sq ft at 3 in | Sq ft at 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (general) | 19.3 | 116 | 77 | 58 |
| Pea gravel | 18.6 | 112 | 74 | 56 |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 20.0 | 120 | 80 | 60 |
| Crusher run | 18.0 | 108 | 72 | 54 |
| River rock | 20.0 | 120 | 80 | 60 |
The math: cubic feet per ton = 2,000 ÷ (weight per cubic yard) × 27. Square feet covered = cubic feet ÷ depth in feet.
How many tons do you need?
Measure the area and run the gravel calculator, which gives tons directly. A few quick reference points for general gravel at 3 inches:
| Area | Tons (about) |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 1.3 |
| 250 sq ft | 3.2 |
| 500 sq ft | 6.5 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 13.0 |
What sets the price of a ton of gravel
We don’t publish prices, because they swing too much by region and season to be useful as a national number. These are the things that change your quote:
- Type of stone. Unwashed base stone and crusher run are usually the cheapest; washed stone, pea gravel and decorative stone cost more; specialty colors and river rock more again.
- Distance from the quarry. Stone is heavy, and trucking is a big share of the price. A yard close to a quarry is usually cheaper.
- Delivery. Many yards charge a flat delivery fee per load or per mile, and some have a minimum order.
- Quantity. Some yards discount large orders. Very small orders may cost more per ton.
- Bags vs bulk. Bagged gravel costs far more per ton than bulk; see the bags of gravel calculator.
To get your real cost: ask two or three local suppliers for their price per ton (or per cubic yard) and their delivery charge for your address, then:
Total = tons × price per ton + delivery
The gravel calculator has a price per ton box that does the first half for you.
2 tonnes of gravel (metric)
Outside the US, gravel is sold in metric tonnes (1,000 kg, about 2,205 lb). Gravel weighs roughly 1.6 to 1.7 tonnes per cubic meter, so:
| Amount | Volume | Covers at 50 mm deep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tonne | about 0.6 m³ | about 12 m² |
| 2 tonnes | about 1.2 m³ | about 24 m² |
| 1 bulk bag (check the bag’s stated weight) | depends on fill | — |
Weights are averages for dry, loose stone. Wet loads weigh more, so a ton of wet gravel is slightly less stone.
Questions people ask
- How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
- About 230 square feet at 1 inch deep, 115 square feet at 2 inches, 77 square feet at 3 inches and 58 square feet at 4 inches, for general gravel.
- How big is a ton of gravel?
- About 19 cubic feet, a little under three-quarters of a cubic yard. Piled up it is roughly a 3 × 3 × 2 ft heap.
- How much does a ton of gravel cost?
- It depends on the stone, your region and delivery. Decorative and washed stone costs more than unwashed base stone, and delivery is often a separate charge. Get a per-ton price and the delivery fee from two or three local yards and multiply by the tons you need.
- Can a pickup truck carry a ton of gravel?
- Only if its payload rating is at least a ton after counting passengers and anything else on board. Many half-ton pickups are rated for less than a full ton of payload, so check the sticker in the driver's door jamb.
- How much is 2 tonnes of gravel?
- Two metric tonnes is about 2.2 US tons, roughly 1.2 cubic meters or 1.6 cubic yards. Spread 50 mm deep it covers about 24 square meters.