How Much Gravel for 1,500 Square Feet?

How much gravel for 1,500 square feet depends on depth. At 4 inches you need about 18.52 cubic yards, roughly 25.9 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. At 2 inches the order drops to 13.0 tons.

Volume and tonnage calculator →

Gravel for 1,500 sq ft by depth

Depth	Cubic yards	Tons	Tons +10%
2 in	9.26	13.0	14.3
3 in	13.89	19.4	21.4
4 in	18.52	25.9	28.5
6 in	27.78	38.9	42.8

Working it out

1,500 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 500.0 cubic feet.
÷ 27 = 18.52 cubic yards.
× 1.4 tons per yard = 25.9 tons.

About gravel

Plain gravel is a loose term. Yards use it for rounded bank or river stone as well as for crushed rock, so ask whether the load is washed, crushed or a mix before you lock in a tonnage. Most suppliers will quote 1.3 to 1.5 tons per yard for this material.

Getting the order right

Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
Bulk or bags. Bulk delivery is the practical choice here.
Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.

Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.

Good and poor uses for gravel

Best suited to:

Rural driveways and lanes where low upfront cost matters
Drainage areas and around downspouts
Temporary access while a site is under construction

Poor fit for:

Steep slopes, where loose stone washes downhill
Spots plowed often, since plows push gravel into the lawn
Areas next to doors, because stone tracks inside

Quick reference numbers

Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
Another size for comparison: a 14x28 area at 2 inches takes about 3.4 tons.
Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.

Mistakes that throw off the order

Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.

Questions people ask

How many tons of gravel for 1,500 square feet?

About 25.9 tons at 4 inches deep.

How many cubic yards of gravel for 1,500 square feet?

About 18.52 yards at 4 inches.

How much gravel for 1,500 square feet at 2 inches?

About 13.0 tons, or 9.26 cubic yards.

How much does a yard of gravel weigh?

About 1.3 to 1.5 tons.

Should I add extra?

Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.

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