Gravel & aggregate
Landscaping Gravel: How Much Ground Does a Yard Cover?
By the HomeCalc USAReviewed against our editorial policyLast updated US units and pricing
One cubic yard of landscaping gravel covers roughly 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches, or 81 square feet at 4 inches. Decorative ground cover usually needs 2 to 3 inches over landscape fabric. River rock, pea gravel and crushed granite are the common US choices, sold by the cubic yard at landscape yards and by the ton at quarries.
Skip the arithmetic: use the Gravel Calculator.
Quick answers on yards, tons and depth: read the Gravel FAQ.
Key takeaways
- Coverage rule of thumb: one cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches — the standard depth for decorative ground cover.
- Gravel is a one-time install that lasts decades, unlike mulch which needs annual top-ups — but it is hard to remove later.
- Always lay landscape fabric under decorative gravel in beds, or soil works up through the stones within a few seasons.
- Buy by the cubic yard for small jobs, by the ton for large ones; this calculator converts both.
Coverage per cubic yard and per ton
Coverage depends only on depth. Because one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, the area it covers is 27 divided by the depth in feet. Since a cubic yard of typical crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons, one ton covers roughly 77 square feet at 3 inches. Check your supplier's density — lava rock is far lighter, so a ton of it covers much more ground.
Square feet covered by one cubic yard (and roughly 1.4 tons) of gravel.
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | Top-up of an existing surface |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | Decorative beds, mulch alternative |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | Standard ground cover, paths |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | Driveways, drainage beds |
Choosing a gravel type for landscaping
- Pea gravel (1/4-1/2 in rounded): soft look, inexpensive, but migrates — best confined by edging in beds.
- River rock (1-3 in rounded): decorative accent around plantings and dry creek beds; too chunky to walk on.
- Crushed granite / decomposed granite: compacts firm, natural tan color, the standard for paths and xeriscaping.
- Crushed stone chip (3/8-3/4 in angular): stays put, good for utility areas, side yards and drive strips.
- Lava rock: very light and porous, popular in desert landscaping; a ton covers far more area than stone.
How much to order: the calculation
- Measure each bed or area in feet and add the square footage together.
- Pick a depth: 2 inches for a refresh, 3 inches for new ground cover.
- Multiply square footage by depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add 5-10% for uneven ground, and round up to the supplier's delivery increment.
Gravel versus mulch in beds
Gravel costs more upfront — often three to four times the price of mulch per cubic yard — but never decomposes, so over ten years it is usually cheaper. It suits succulents, Mediterranean plantings and areas with runoff that would wash mulch away. Mulch is the better choice around thirsty shrubs and perennials because it feeds the soil and holds moisture; gravel can radiate heat and stress shallow-rooted plants in hot climates.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
At a 3-inch depth, one ton of typical crushed stone or pea gravel covers about 70-80 square feet. Lighter materials like lava rock cover more per ton; dense crusher run slightly fewer. Depth is the lever that changes everything — at 2 inches the same ton covers around 115 square feet.
What depth of gravel for landscaping beds?
Two to three inches over landscape fabric. Less than 2 inches lets fabric show through and weeds find gaps; more than 3 inches wastes money and makes walking in beds awkward.
Is gravel cheaper than mulch?
Not upfront — gravel typically runs several times the cost of mulch per cubic yard. Over a decade, though, gravel usually wins because mulch must be refreshed every year or two while gravel only needs occasional raking and a small top-up.
Sources and references
- NRMCA — aggregates in construction — Aggregate background and terminology.