Is 1.85 cubic yards the right amount for 200 sq ft?
On the defaults — 200 square feet at 3 inches deep of crushed stone #57 at $55.00 a cubic yard — the gravel is 50.00 cubic feet, 1.85 cubic yards, 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb), $101.85, or 100 bags. Gravel is sold by the cubic yard — 27 cubic feet. Coverage is area times depth divided by 27. Common depths are 2 inches for walkways, 3 inches for driveways and 4 inches where the ground takes heavy use. A cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.3 to 1.45 tons depending on the stone — dense crushed stone is heaviest, light lava rock is lightest. Figures below are typical published values for dry stone and are approximate: the same stone varies with moisture and how big the pieces are. Order about 10% extra — the ground is never perfectly flat and the edges always need a little more.
Five things about the model are worth stating plainly. First, the cubic feet are the area times the depth divided by 12 — 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50.00. Second, the cubic yards are the cubic feet divided by 27 — 50.00 ÷ 27 = 1.85. Third, the weight is the cubic yards times the weight per cubic yard — 1.85 × 2,900 lb = 5,370.37 lb, or 2.69 tons. Fourth, the cost is the cubic yards times the price — 1.85 × $55.00 = $101.85. And fifth, the bags are the cubic feet divided by 0.5, rounded UP — 50.00 ÷ 0.5 = 100 bags; all listed in Accuracy & limitations.
The gravel type chart
Weight per cubic yard, typical, approximate — the same stone varies with moisture and how big the pieces are. Crushed stone #57 is the heaviest common gravel at 2,900 lb a cubic yard; lava rock is the lightest at 1,800 lb.
| Gravel type | Weight per cubic yard (lb) | Weight per cubic yard (tons) |
|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Crushed stone #57 | 2,900 | 1.45 |
| River rock | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Decomposed granite | 2,600 | 1.30 |
| Crushed concrete | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Lava rock | 1,800 | 0.90 |
The coverage chart
Cubic yards of crushed stone #57 by area and depth. Read across for the depth: 2 inches for walkways, 3 inches for driveways, 4 inches where the ground takes heavy use.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep |
|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 |
The worked example, line by line
Setup: 200 square feet, 3 inches deep, crushed stone #57, $55.00 a cubic yard.
Line 1 — the cubic feet. The cubic feet are 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50.00.
Line 2 — the cubic yards. The cubic yards are 50.00 ÷ 27 = 1.85.
Line 3 — the weight. The weight is 1.85 × 2,900 lb = 5,370.37 lb, or 2.69 tons.
Line 4 — the cost. The cost is 1.85 × $55.00 = $101.85.
Line 5 — the bags. The bags are 50.00 ÷ 0.5 = 100 bags — a whole number, rounded up.
Line 6 — the check. 1.85 cubic yards × 27 = 49.95 cubic feet — a hair under 50.00, because 1.85 is the cubic yards rounded to two decimals; the exact value is 1.851852 cubic yards.
Every branch, checked
100 sq ft at 3 in, crushed stone #57: 25.00 cubic feet; 0.93 cubic yards; 1.34 tons (2,685.19 lb); $50.93; 50 bags — Halving the area to 100 square feet halves the gravel to 0.93 cubic yards — 1.34 tons, $50.93, 50 bags.
200 sq ft at 2 in, crushed stone #57: 33.33 cubic feet; 1.23 cubic yards; 1.79 tons (3,580.25 lb); $67.90; 67 bags — At 2 inches deep the same 200 square feet needs only 1.23 cubic yards — 1.79 tons, $67.90, 67 bags — a third less than at 3 inches, because the volume is area times depth.
200 sq ft at 4 in, crushed stone #57: 66.67 cubic feet; 2.47 cubic yards; 3.58 tons (7,160.49 lb); $135.80; 134 bags — At 4 inches deep the same 200 square feet needs 2.47 cubic yards — 3.58 tons, $135.80, 134 bags — a third more than at 3 inches.
Pea gravel at the defaults: 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.50 tons (5,000.00 lb); $101.85; 100 bags — Pea gravel is lighter than crushed stone #57 — 2.50 tons against 2.69 — but the volume and the cost are the same: 1.85 cubic yards and $101.85, because the price is per cubic yard, not per ton.
Lava rock at the defaults: 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 1.67 tons (3,333.33 lb); $101.85; 100 bags — Lava rock is the lightest stone in the chart — 1.67 tons against 2.69 for crushed stone #57 — but again the volume and the cost are the same: 1.85 cubic yards and $101.85.
Price $75.00/yd³ at the defaults: 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $138.89; 100 bags — At $75.00 a cubic yard the same 1.85 cubic yards cost $138.89 — the volume and the weight do not change, only the price does.
1,000 sq ft driveway at 3 in, crushed stone #57: 250.00 cubic feet; 9.26 cubic yards; 13.43 tons (26,851.85 lb); $509.26; 500 bags — A 1,000-square-foot driveway at 3 inches deep is 250.00 cubic feet — 9.26 cubic yards, 13.43 tons, $509.26, 500 bags. Order about 10% extra on a job this size.
The reverses, worked backwards
Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 1 cubic yard: At the displayed 108 sq ft the figures are 27.00 cubic feet; 1.00 cubic yards; 1.45 tons (2,900.00 lb); $55.00; 54 bags. At the displayed 108 sq ft the volume is 1.00 cubic yards. At 107 sq ft the volume is 0.99 cubic yards — below 1 — so 108 sq ft is the smallest whole-sq-ft area for 1 cubic yard.
Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 10 tons: At the displayed 745 sq ft the figures are 186.25 cubic feet; 6.90 cubic yards; 10.00 tons (20,004.63 lb); $379.40; 373 bags. At the displayed 745 sq ft the weight is 10.00 tons. At 744 sq ft the weight is 9.99 tons — below 10 — so 745 sq ft is the smallest whole-sq-ft area for 10 tons.
Smallest whole-sq-ft area for a $500.00 cost: At the displayed 982 sq ft the figures are 245.50 cubic feet; 9.09 cubic yards; 13.18 tons (26,368.52 lb); $500.09; 491 bags. At the displayed 982 sq ft the cost is $500.09. At 981 sq ft the cost is $499.58 — below $500.00 — so 982 sq ft is the smallest whole-sq-ft area for a $500.00 cost.
Largest whole-sq-ft area for the cost to STAY at or below $100.00: At the displayed 196 sq ft the figures are 49.00 cubic feet; 1.81 cubic yards; 2.63 tons (5,262.96 lb); $99.81; 98 bags. At the displayed 196 sq ft the cost is $99.81. At 197 sq ft the cost is $100.32 — above $100.00 — so 196 sq ft is the largest whole-sq-ft area for the cost to stay at or below $100.00.
Smallest whole-inch depth for 2 cubic yards: At the displayed 4 in the figures are 66.67 cubic feet; 2.47 cubic yards; 3.58 tons (7,160.49 lb); $135.80; 134 bags. At the displayed 4 in the volume is 2.47 cubic yards. At 3 in the volume is 1.85 cubic yards — below 2 — so 4 in is the smallest whole-inch depth for 2 cubic yards. The exact depth is 3.24 inches.
Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 100 bags: At the displayed 199 sq ft the figures are 49.75 cubic feet; 1.84 cubic yards; 2.67 tons (5,343.52 lb); $101.34; 100 bags. At the displayed 199 sq ft the stack is 100 bags. At 198 sq ft the stack is exactly 99 bags — 49.50 cubic feet is 99 bags’ worth, exactly — so 199 sq ft is the smallest whole-sq-ft area for 100 bags. At 199 sq ft the stack is 49.75 cubic feet, which is 99.5 bags’ worth of gravel, so you buy 100 bags.
A note about the bags: bags are a whole number rounded UP — a fractional bag count never appears on the page. At 199 sq ft the stack is 49.75 cubic feet, which is 99.5 bags’ worth of gravel, so you buy 100 bags; at 198 sq ft it is exactly 99 bags.
What the defaults assume
The defaults are 200 square feet, 3 inches deep, crushed stone #57, $55.00 a cubic yard — 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. With 100 sq ft at 3 in, crushed stone #57, 25.00 cubic feet; 0.93 cubic yards; 1.34 tons (2,685.19 lb); $50.93; 50 bags. With 200 sq ft at 2 in, crushed stone #57, 33.33 cubic feet; 1.23 cubic yards; 1.79 tons (3,580.25 lb); $67.90; 67 bags. With 200 sq ft at 4 in, crushed stone #57, 66.67 cubic feet; 2.47 cubic yards; 3.58 tons (7,160.49 lb); $135.80; 134 bags. With Pea gravel at the defaults, 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.50 tons (5,000.00 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. With Lava rock at the defaults, 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 1.67 tons (3,333.33 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. With Price $75.00/yd³ at the defaults, 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $138.89; 100 bags. With 1,000 sq ft driveway at 3 in, crushed stone #57, 250.00 cubic feet; 9.26 cubic yards; 13.43 tons (26,851.85 lb); $509.26; 500 bags. With 0 sq ft, 0.00 cubic feet; 0.00 cubic yards; 0.00 tons (0.00 lb); $0.00; 0 bags. With 10 sq ft at 3 in, 2.50 cubic feet; 0.09 cubic yards; 0.13 tons (268.52 lb); $5.09; 5 bags. With 5,000 sq ft at 3 in, 1,250.00 cubic feet; 46.30 cubic yards; 67.13 tons (134,259.26 lb); $2,546.30; 2500 bags. With Depth 1 in (200 sq ft), 16.67 cubic feet; 0.62 cubic yards; 0.90 tons (1,790.12 lb); $33.95; 34 bags. With Depth 6 in (200 sq ft), 100.00 cubic feet; 3.70 cubic yards; 5.37 tons (10,740.74 lb); $203.70; 200 bags. With Price $0/yd³, 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $0.00; 100 bags — the gravel still measures 1.85 cubic yards and 2.69 tons. With River rock at the defaults, 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.59 tons (5,185.19 lb); $101.85; 100 bags.
Output · formula · meaning
| Output | Formula | What it means |
|---|
| Area | input | 200 sq ft. |
| Depth | input | 3 in. |
| Gravel type | input | Crushed stone #57. |
| Price per cubic yard | input | $55.00. |
| Cubic feet | area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 | 50.00. |
| Cubic yards | cubic feet ÷ 27 | 1.85. |
| Weight (tons) | cubic yards × weight per cubic yard | 2.69. |
| Weight (lb) | cubic yards × weight per cubic yard | 5,370.37. |
| Cost | cubic yards × price per cubic yard | $101.85. |
| Bags (0.5 cu ft) | cubic feet ÷ 0.5, rounded UP | 100. |
| Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 1 cubic yard | step | 108 sq ft → 108 sq ft. |
| Below the revr1 star | neighbor | 26.75 cubic feet; 0.99 cubic yards; 1.44 tons (2,873.15 lb); $54.49; 54 bags. |
| Above the revr1 star | neighbor | 27.25 cubic feet; 1.01 cubic yards; 1.46 tons (2,926.85 lb); $55.51; 55 bags. |
| Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 10 tons | step | 745 sq ft → 745 sq ft. |
| Below the revr2 star | neighbor | 186.00 cubic feet; 6.89 cubic yards; 9.99 tons (19,977.78 lb); $378.89; 372 bags. |
| Above the revr2 star | neighbor | 186.50 cubic feet; 6.91 cubic yards; 10.02 tons (20,031.48 lb); $379.91; 373 bags. |
| Smallest whole-sq-ft area for a $500.00 cost | step | 982 sq ft → 982 sq ft. |
| Below the revr3 star | neighbor | 245.25 cubic feet; 9.08 cubic yards; 13.17 tons (26,341.67 lb); $499.58; 491 bags. |
| Above the revr3 star | neighbor | 245.75 cubic feet; 9.10 cubic yards; 13.20 tons (26,395.37 lb); $500.60; 492 bags. |
| Largest whole-sq-ft area for the cost to STAY at or below $100.00 | step | 196 sq ft → 196 sq ft. |
| Below the revr4 star | neighbor | 48.75 cubic feet; 1.81 cubic yards; 2.62 tons (5,236.11 lb); $99.31; 98 bags. |
| Above the revr4 star | neighbor | 49.25 cubic feet; 1.82 cubic yards; 2.64 tons (5,289.81 lb); $100.32; 99 bags. |
| Smallest whole-inch depth for 2 cubic yards | step | 4 in → 4 in. |
| Below the revr5 star | neighbor | 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. |
| Above the revr5 star | neighbor | 83.33 cubic feet; 3.09 cubic yards; 4.48 tons (8,950.62 lb); $169.75; 167 bags. |
| Smallest whole-sq-ft area for 100 bags | step | 199 sq ft → 199 sq ft. |
| Below the revr6 star | neighbor | 49.50 cubic feet; 1.83 cubic yards; 2.66 tons (5,316.67 lb); $100.83; 99 bags. |
| Above the revr6 star | neighbor | 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. |
| 100 sq ft at 3 in, crushed stone #57 | same model | 25.00 cubic feet; 0.93 cubic yards; 1.34 tons (2,685.19 lb); $50.93; 50 bags. |
| 200 sq ft at 2 in, crushed stone #57 | same model | 33.33 cubic feet; 1.23 cubic yards; 1.79 tons (3,580.25 lb); $67.90; 67 bags. |
| 200 sq ft at 4 in, crushed stone #57 | same model | 66.67 cubic feet; 2.47 cubic yards; 3.58 tons (7,160.49 lb); $135.80; 134 bags. |
| Pea gravel at the defaults | same model | 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.50 tons (5,000.00 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. |
| Lava rock at the defaults | same model | 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 1.67 tons (3,333.33 lb); $101.85; 100 bags. |
| Price $75.00/yd³ at the defaults | same model | 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $138.89; 100 bags. |
| 1,000 sq ft driveway at 3 in, crushed stone #57 | same model | 250.00 cubic feet; 9.26 cubic yards; 13.43 tons (26,851.85 lb); $509.26; 500 bags. |
Who uses this
- The homeowner gravelling a 200-square-foot driveway strip: they learn it takes 1.85 cubic yards — 2.69 tons, $101.85, 100 bags — and they check the 108-sq-ft reverse to see the smallest area for a full cubic yard.
- The landscaper pricing a 1,000-square-foot driveway: they learn it takes 9.26 cubic yards — 13.43 tons, $509.26, 500 bags — and they check the 982-sq-ft reverse to see the smallest area for a $500.00 cost.
- The gardener choosing between pea gravel and lava rock: they learn both need the same 1.85 cubic yards and cost the same $101.85, but pea gravel weighs 2.50 tons against lava rock’s 1.67 — and they check the type chart for all six stones.
- The DIYer buying bags instead of bulk: they learn 200 square feet at 3 inches deep is 100 bags — and they check the 199-sq-ft reverse to see why 199 square feet still needs 100 bags.
Accuracy & limitations
The math is first-principles and exact: cubic feet = area × depth ÷ 12, cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 — area × depth ÷ 324, never a rounded intermediate — weight = cubic yards × the type’s weight per cubic yard, cost = cubic yards × the price per cubic yard, and bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.5 rounded UP to a whole bag. All displayed values are rounded to two decimals half-up from the exact fractions, so 1.85 cubic yards times 27 is 49.95 cubic feet — a hair under 50.00 — because 1.85 is the rounded value; the exact value is 1.851852 cubic yards. What the model cannot do is weigh your stone: the weights per cubic yard are typical published values for dry stone and are approximate — the same stone varies with moisture and how big the pieces are — and the ground is never perfectly flat, so the chart says to order about 10% extra. Use it to size the order — then let the supplier confirm the weight.
Cite this calculatorBright Side Kit. “Gravel Coverage Chart: Cubic Yards, Tons & Cost by Area” brightoolbox.com, 2026. Method: Cubic feet = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12; cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; weight = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard for the gravel type; cost = cubic yards × price per cubic yard; bags (0.5 cu ft bags) = cubic feet ÷ 0.5, rounded UP to a whole bag. Reverses: smallest whole-sq-ft area for 1 cubic yard is 108 sq ft (at 108 sq ft the volume is 1.00 cubic yards; at 107 sq ft the volume is 0.99 cubic yards); smallest whole-sq-ft area for 10 tons is 745 sq ft (at 745 sq ft the weight is 10.00 tons; at 744 sq ft the weight is 9.99 tons); smallest whole-sq-ft area for a $500.00 cost is 982 sq ft (at 982 sq ft the cost is $500.09; at 981 sq ft the cost is $499.58); largest whole-sq-ft area for the cost to STAY at or below $100.00 is 196 sq ft (at 196 sq ft the cost is $99.81; at 197 sq ft the cost is $100.32); smallest whole-inch depth for 2 cubic yards is 4 in (at 4 in the volume is 2.47 cubic yards; at 3 in the volume is 1.85 cubic yards); smallest whole-sq-ft area for 100 bags is 199 sq ft (at 199 sq ft the stack is 100 bags; at 198 sq ft the stack is exactly 99 bags). Defaults: 50.00 cubic feet; 1.85 cubic yards; 2.69 tons (5,370.37 lb); $101.85; 100 bags Bright Side Kit. "Gravel Coverage Chart: Cubic Yards, Tons & Cost by Area" https://brightoolbox.com/gravel-coverage-chart/ Accessed October 26, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for 200 sq ft?
1.85 cubic yards at 3 inches deep. 200 square feet at 3 inches deep of crushed stone #57 is 50.00 cubic feet — 1.85 cubic yards, 2.69 tons, $101.85 at $55.00 a yard, or 100 bags. At 2 inches it is 1.23 cubic yards; at 4 inches it is 2.47 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.69 cubic yards for crushed stone #57. A cubic yard of crushed stone #57 weighs 1.45 tons, so a ton is 1 ÷ 1.45 = 0.69 cubic yards. Pea gravel is 1.35 tons a yard, so a ton of pea gravel is 0.74 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
1.30 to 1.45 tons, depending on the stone. Crushed stone #57 is 2,900 lb (1.45 tons) a cubic yard; pea gravel and crushed concrete are 2,700 lb (1.35 tons); river rock is 2,800 lb (1.40 tons); decomposed granite is 2,600 lb (1.30 tons); lava rock is 1,800 lb (0.90 tons).
How many bags of gravel do I need?
100 bags for 200 sq ft at 3 inches deep. Bags hold 0.5 cubic feet, so the bags are the cubic feet divided by 0.5, rounded UP — 50.00 ÷ 0.5 = 100 bags. At 199 sq ft the stack is 49.75 cubic feet, which is 99.5 bags’ worth, so you still buy 100 bags; at 198 sq ft it is exactly 99 bags.
How deep should gravel be?
2 inches for walkways, 3 inches for driveways, 4 inches where the ground takes heavy use. At 200 square feet, 2 inches needs 1.23 cubic yards, 3 inches needs 1.85, and 4 inches needs 2.47 — the volume is area times depth, so every extra inch adds a third.
Should I order extra gravel?
Yes — about 10% extra. The ground is never perfectly flat and the edges always need a little more. On the 1,000-square-foot driveway that is 9.26 cubic yards, so order about 10.19 cubic yards.
Does the gravel type change the cost?
No — the cost is per cubic yard, not per ton. Pea gravel, lava rock and crushed stone #57 all cost $101.85 for 1.85 cubic yards at $55.00 a yard. What changes is the weight: 2.50 tons for pea gravel, 1.67 tons for lava rock, 2.69 tons for crushed stone #57.