Find out exactly how much area a cubic yard or ton of gravel covers at different depths. Use these tables to plan your material order with confidence.
This chart shows the square footage that different quantities of gravel will cover at various depths. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, and the coverage area depends on how thick you spread the material.
| Depth | 1 Cu. Yd. | 2 Cu. Yd. | 5 Cu. Yd. | 10 Cu. Yd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq. ft. | 648 sq. ft. | 1,620 sq. ft. | 3,240 sq. ft. |
| 2" | 162 sq. ft. | 324 sq. ft. | 810 sq. ft. | 1,620 sq. ft. |
| 3" | 108 sq. ft. | 216 sq. ft. | 540 sq. ft. | 1,080 sq. ft. |
| 4" | 81 sq. ft. | 162 sq. ft. | 405 sq. ft. | 810 sq. ft. |
| 6" | 54 sq. ft. | 108 sq. ft. | 270 sq. ft. | 540 sq. ft. |
Coverage shown in square feet. Calculated using the formula: Coverage = (Cu. Yd. × 324) ÷ Depth (inches).
The formula behind this table is straightforward. Since one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, and one foot equals 12 inches, a single cubic yard spread 1 inch deep covers 27 × 12 = 324 square feet. At 2 inches deep, the coverage is halved to 162 square feet, and so on.
When you buy gravel by the ton, the coverage depends on the material's density. Heavier materials yield fewer cubic yards per ton, while lighter materials like mulch cover significantly more area per ton. This table uses each material's density to show coverage at two common depths.
| Material | Tons / Cu. Yd. | Coverage at 2" (per ton) | Coverage at 4" (per ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.35 | 120 sq. ft. | 60 sq. ft. |
| Pea Gravel | 1.35 | 120 sq. ft. | 60 sq. ft. |
| River Rock | 1.25 | 130 sq. ft. | 65 sq. ft. |
| Sand | 1.35 | 120 sq. ft. | 60 sq. ft. |
| Topsoil | 1.10 | 147 sq. ft. | 74 sq. ft. |
| Mulch | 0.40 | 405 sq. ft. | 203 sq. ft. |
Coverage values are approximate. Actual coverage depends on material gradation, moisture, and compaction.
To calculate coverage per ton for any material: divide 1 by the tons-per-cubic-yard value to get cubic yards per ton, then multiply by 324 and divide by the depth in inches. For standard gravel: 1 ÷ 1.35 = 0.74 cu. yd., then 0.74 × 324 ÷ 2 = 120 sq. ft. at 2 inches deep.
For a complete weight reference, see the gravel weight chart with all 15 materials.
Choosing the right depth affects both your coverage and the performance of your gravel installation. Here are the recommended depths for common projects, along with the corresponding coverage per cubic yard.
| Project | Recommended Depth | Coverage per Cu. Yd. |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway | 2-3" | 108-162 sq. ft. |
| Patio | 3-4" | 81-108 sq. ft. |
| Driveway | 4-6" | 54-81 sq. ft. |
| Landscape Bed | 2-3" | 108-162 sq. ft. |
| French Drain | 12" | 27 sq. ft. |
Deeper applications require proportionally more material. A driveway at 6 inches deep uses three times as much gravel per square foot as a walkway at 2 inches deep. See the full gravel depth guide for detailed recommendations and project-specific advice.
Using this chart is straightforward. First, determine the total square footage of your project area by multiplying length × width. Next, decide on the depth you need based on the project type. Finally, find the matching row in the table to see how many cubic yards will cover your area.
For example, if you have a 400 sq. ft. patio and plan to install 3 inches of pea gravel:
If you would rather not do the math, our gravel calculator handles all of this automatically. Just enter your dimensions and material type.
Need help figuring out how much gravel your specific project requires? Read our full guide on how much gravel do I need.
Enter your dimensions and material type to get exact cubic yards, tons, and coverage for your project.
Open Gravel Calculator →One cubic yard of gravel covers 324 sq. ft. at 1 inch deep, 162 sq. ft. at 2 inches deep, 108 sq. ft. at 3 inches deep, 81 sq. ft. at 4 inches deep, or 54 sq. ft. at 6 inches deep. The coverage decreases proportionally as the depth increases.
One ton of standard gravel (1.35 tons per cubic yard) covers about 240 sq. ft. at 1 inch deep, 120 sq. ft. at 2 inches deep, 80 sq. ft. at 3 inches deep, or 60 sq. ft. at 4 inches deep. Lighter materials like mulch cover significantly more area per ton, while heavier materials like limestone cover less.
For 1,000 sq. ft. at 2 inches deep you need 6.17 cubic yards. At 3 inches deep you need 9.26 cubic yards. At 4 inches deep you need 12.35 cubic yards. Use the formula: 1,000 × depth (inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. Always add 10% extra for waste and settling.