Gravel reference tables

The tables and definitions GravelMatter's calculators rely on, in one place. For how they're combined, see the methodology.

Unit conversions

Coverage per cubic yard

Coverage per US ton (105 lb/ft³)

Reference densities

These are general published values. Pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock, landscape rock and road base use the dry-gravel value in the calculators because no reliable product-specific figure was found; your supplier's figure is always better.

Aggregate size numbers

Selected ASTM D448 size numbers and their nominal ranges are listed in the types and sizes guide.

Glossary

Aggregate

Granular material — sand, gravel, crushed stone — used in construction and landscaping.

Bulk density (loose)

Weight of a volume of material including the air between particles. Used by GravelMatter to convert volume to weight.

Compaction allowance

Extra loose material added so the layer reaches the intended depth after it is compacted.

Crushed stone

Rock broken mechanically into angular pieces; graded by size numbers such as #57.

Crusher run / road base

Crushed stone with fines (dust) that compacts into a firm base.

Cubic yard (yd³)

A cube 3 ft on each side: 27 ft³, about 0.765 m³.

Fines

Very small particles and dust within a material; they help it compact and reduce drainage.

Pea gravel

Small, rounded stone; it rolls rather than locks together.

Purchase volume

GravelMatter's term for volume after compaction and waste allowances, before rounding.

River rock

Smooth, water-rounded stone, usually larger than gravel.

Size number (ASTM D448)

A standard designation for a size range of crushed stone, e.g. #57 = 1 in down to No. 4 sieve.

Ton / tonne

US (short) ton = 2,000 lb; metric tonne = 1,000 kg ≈ 2,205 lb.

Waste allowance

A margin for spillage, uneven ground and edges, applied after compaction.

Sources

1. Dirt and Mud – Densities. Engineering ToolBox. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html
   Used for: Point values: gravel dry 1,680 kg/m³ (105 lb/ft³); gravel wet 2,000 kg/m³ (125 lb/ft³); sand dry 1,555 kg/m³ (97 lb/ft³); sand wet 1,905 kg/m³ (119 lb/ft³).
2. SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed. (H. L. Hartman, ed., 1992), as cited in the Wikipedia article “Gravel”. Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration / Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravel
   Used for: Range: bulk density of gravel 1,460–1,920 kg/m³ (about 91–120 lb/ft³, 1.23–1.62 US tons per cubic yard). Secondary citation — we have not read the handbook directly.
3. Gravel Roads: Maintenance and Design Manual, Section III – Surface Gravel (K. Skorseth & A. A. Selim, 2000). South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program (SD LTAP) for the U.S. Federal Highway Administration; hosted by the U.S. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/2003_07_24_nps_gravelroads_sec3_0.pdf
   Used for: Compaction: ordinary compaction from placement, moisture and traffic “will result in 30% or greater reduction in volume” in many parts of the country (written for gravel roads).
4. Proper Gravel Depth Requirements for Different Driveways. Port Aggregates (aggregate supplier). https://www.portaggregates.com/proper-gravel-depth/
   Used for: Driveway depth guidance: light residential 4–6 in total (2–3 in #2 stone base, 2–3 in #57 top); heavy residential 8 in or more; commercial 10–12 in in three layers.
5. ASTM D448 stone size chart (summary of the standard's size numbers). US Made Supply. https://usmadesupply.com/resources/building-codes-standards/astm-ul-general/astm-d448
   Used for: Nominal size ranges for aggregate size numbers such as #2, #4, #57, #67, #8 and #10. The standard itself is ASTM D448; we used this published summary.

Reviewed 2026-10-07.