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Coverage per cubic yard by depth
| Depth | Sq ft per yd³ | Sq ft per ton (at 1.4 t/yd³) | Example area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 324 | 231 | 18×18 ft |
| 2″ | 162 | 116 | about 13×13 ft |
| 3″ | 108 | 77 | about 10×11 ft |
| 4″ | 81 | 58 | 9×9 ft |
| 6″ | 54 | 39 | about 7×8 ft |
Why 324?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Spread 1 inch deep (1/12 ft), 27 cu ft covers 27 × 12 = 324 sq ft. Divide 324 by your depth in inches to get coverage at that depth.
Typical depths
Decorative stone in beds is often laid 2–3 inches deep; walkways about 2–4 inches over landscape fabric or a compacted base; and driveways commonly 4–6 inches or more over a compacted sub-base, built in layers. Local suppliers can recommend the right stone size and depth for your soil and traffic.
Ordering by the ton
Quarries often sell by weight. At a typical 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton covers about 58 sq ft at 4 inches. A 10×20 ft path at 3 inches needs 200 ÷ 108 = 1.85 yards, about 2.6 tons. Add 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel cover?
81 sq ft at 4 inches, 108 at 3 inches, 162 at 2 inches.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover?
About 58 sq ft at 4 inches, or 116 at 2 inches, at 1.4 tons per yard.
How much does a yard of gravel cover at 6 inches?
54 sq ft.
How many yards of gravel for a 10×10 area?
About 1.23 yards at 4 inches (100 ÷ 81).