Plan faster, quote smarter, and keep your crew moving
Gravel and Material Calculator for Stone, Mulch, and Landscape Projects in Fort Worth
Ordering too little means a second trip. Ordering too much means wasted material and money left on the ground. Use the Big Tex Stone material calculator to estimate how much gravel, crushed rock, flagstone, mulch, topsoil, or sand you need before you pull up to the yard or schedule a delivery.
Plug in your dimensions, get your estimate, and call us if the numbers don't look right. We'd rather help you get it right the first time.
Coverage by Project Type
How Much Material Do You Need?
Different projects pull from different materials, and coverage varies depending on depth, density, and how the material is measured. Here's a quick reference for the most common builds.
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Driveways
Gravel driveways typically need a base layer of 4–6 inches of compacted road base, plus a 2–3 inch top layer of decorative gravel or crushed stone. For a standard two-car driveway around 20x20 feet, expect to use 4–6 tons of base material and 2–3 tons of surface gravel depending on your depth and finish.
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Patios
A flagstone or natural paving patio needs a stable base of 4 inches of compacted road base and 1 inch of bedding sand before surface stone is laid. One ton of flagstone covers roughly 80–100 square feet at 1.5 inch thickness. Travertine and natural paving cover similarly when cut to consistent dimensions.
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Walkways
Gravel walkways at 2–3 inches deep use approximately 1 ton per 50–80 square feet depending on stone size and compaction. Flagstone or natural paving walkways follow similar coverage to patios but with tighter linear layouts and less waste.
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Garden and Landscape Beds
Decorative gravel used as a mulch alternative at 2 inches deep covers roughly 100 square feet per ton. At 3 inches, expect around 65–70 square feet per ton. Mulch covers approximately 100 square feet per cubic yard at a 3-inch depth.
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Retaining and Seat Walls
Chopped stone and irregular builders stone are typically estimated by the linear foot and wall height. Coverage varies by stone size and stacking style. Bring your wall dimensions to the yard and we'll help estimate the right quantity.
CHOOSE YOUR CALCULATOR
Plan Smarter—Anywhere
Use our web calculator below or download the app to keep it handy on every job site.
How to Calculate Gravel Coverage
The basic formula for estimating gravel or crushed rock:
Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply by the material's weight factor. Most gravel and crushed stone runs 1.35–1.5 tons per cubic yard. Decomposed granite runs slightly lighter. River rock runs closer to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
QUICK REFERENCE
Coverage Per Ton
Coverage estimates vary based on material size, depth, and site conditions. Use these as planning guides, not final order quantities.
| Material | Coverage Per Ton at 2" Depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative Gravel | 100–120 sq ft |
| Crushed Limestone / Road Base | 80–100 sq ft |
| River Rock (2–3") | 60–80 sq ft |
| Flagstone / Slabs | 80–100 sq ft |
| Decomposed Granite | 100–120 sq ft |
| Mulch (per cubic yard) | ~100 sq ft at 3" depth |
Pricing and Delivery
Most materials at Big Tex Stone are priced by the ton. Prices vary by material type, quantity, and whether you're picking up or scheduling delivery. Call the yard at (817) 809-9709 for current pricing on gravel, flagstone, river rock, topsoil, or any other material before you order.
Need it delivered? We serve Fort Worth and surrounding areas including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Arlington, Mansfield, Burleson, and Weatherford. Delivery fees vary by location and load size. Request a delivery quote or call ahead and we'll confirm availability and timing.
Need a Second Opinion?
Not sure about your numbers? Our team is here to help. Call or stop by for expert guidance—because the right quantity saves you time, money, and trips back to the yard.
Trusted by Builders Since 2005
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Measure the length and width of your driveway in feet, then decide on your depth. Most gravel driveways use 4 inches of road base and 2–3 inches of surface stone. Multiply length x width x depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to convert to tons. Our calculator handles this automatically.
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At 2 inches deep, one ton of standard decorative gravel or crushed limestone covers roughly 100–120 square feet. Heavier stone like river rock covers less. Use the chart above for material-specific estimates.
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Cubic yards measure volume. Tons measure weight. Most landscape materials are sold by the ton at Big Tex Stone. To convert, multiply your cubic yard estimate by the material's weight factor, typically 1.35–1.5 for gravel and crushed stone.
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Most hardscape installations call for 4 inches of compacted road base beneath stone patios, plus 1 inch of bedding sand. Thicker base layers improve drainage and long-term stability, especially in Texas clay soil.
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The calculator works for surface coverage estimates. One ton of flagstone at 1.5 inch thickness covers roughly 80–100 square feet. Bring your square footage to the yard and we'll help confirm the right quantity before you load.
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Call us at (817) 809-9709 or stop by the yard. Our team checks measurements regularly and would rather help you catch a calculation issue before you order than after. No guesswork, no wasted loads.