How Much Gravel for a 10x12 Patio?
How much gravel for a 10x12 patio: at 3 inches deep you need about 1.11 cubic yards, which is roughly 1.6 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. The patio covers 120 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.37 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 10x12 patio
- Area: 10 × 12 = 120 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 120 × 0.250 = 30.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.11 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 1.6 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.74 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| 3 in | 1.11 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| 4 in | 1.48 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| 6 in | 2.22 | 3.1 | 3.4 |
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. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
Preparing the patio
Remove sod, level the area with a slight slope away from the house, and lay landscape fabric if weeds are a concern. Edging keeps loose material inside the patio footprint. Since the patio carries foot traffic and furniture, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 1.7 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
- Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the patio as firm ground allows.
Where gravel fits
Good uses:
- Rural driveways and lanes where low upfront cost matters
- Drainage areas and around downspouts
- Temporary access while a site is under construction
Think twice 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 20x25 area at 2 inches takes about 4.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel for a 10x12 patio?
About 1.6 tons at 3 inches deep, or 1.7 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 10x12 patio at 3 inches?
About 1.11 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should gravel be for a patio?
The table above shows 2 to 6 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 10x12?
120 square feet.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Gravel for a 8x30 Patio?
- How Much Gravel for a 10x10 Patio?
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