How Much Gravel for a 14x18 Patio?
How much gravel for a 14x18 patio is a quick volume problem. 252 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.33 cubic yards. Gravel usually weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 3.3 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 14x18 patio
- Area: 14 × 18 = 252 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 252 × 0.250 = 63.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.33 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 3.3 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.56 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 3 in | 2.33 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| 4 in | 3.11 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| 6 in | 4.67 | 6.5 | 7.2 |
About gravel
Because ’gravel’ covers so many products, the weight per yard moves with stone size and how much fine material is in the pile. Rounded stone with no fines rolls under tires; crushed stone with fines locks together. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.
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. For foot traffic and furniture, the depths in the table above are a reasonable starting range.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 3.6 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
Works well for:
- Rural driveways and lanes where low upfront cost matters
- Drainage areas and around downspouts
- Temporary access while a site is under construction
Less suited to:
- 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 15x30 area at 2 inches takes about 3.9 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- 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 a 14x18 patio?
About 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep, or 3.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 14x18 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.33 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 14x18?
252 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 14x14 Patio?
- How Much Gravel for a 14x16 Patio?
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