How Much Gravel for a 20x12 Patio?
How much gravel for a 20x12 patio is a quick volume problem. 240 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.22 cubic yards. Gravel usually weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 3.1 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 20x12 patio
- Area: 20 × 12 = 240 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 240 × 0.250 = 60.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.22 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 3.1 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.48 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| 3 in | 2.22 | 3.1 | 3.4 |
| 4 in | 2.96 | 4.1 | 4.6 |
| 6 in | 4.44 | 6.2 | 6.8 |
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. This patio sees foot traffic and furniture, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 3.4 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.
Good and poor uses for gravel
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
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 10x20 area at 3 inches takes about 2.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel for a 20x12 patio?
About 3.1 tons at 3 inches deep, or 3.4 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 20x12 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.22 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 20x12?
240 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 16x30 Patio?
- How Much Gravel for a 20x10 Patio?
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