How Much Gravel for a 20x16 Patio?
How much gravel for a 20x16 patio: at 3 inches deep you need about 2.96 cubic yards, which is roughly 4.1 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. The patio covers 320 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.99 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 20x16 patio
- Area: 20 × 16 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.250 = 80.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 4.1 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.98 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| 3 in | 2.96 | 4.1 | 4.6 |
| 4 in | 3.95 | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| 6 in | 5.93 | 8.3 | 9.1 |
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. 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. 4.6 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.
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
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 20x25 area at 3 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- 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.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel for a 20x16 patio?
About 4.1 tons at 3 inches deep, or 4.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 20x16 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.96 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 20x16?
320 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 20x12 Patio?
- How Much Gravel for a 20x14 Patio?
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