How Much Gravel Under a 14x16 Deck?
How much gravel under a 14x16 deck: about 2.9 tons at 3 inches deep. The area is 224 square feet, which is 2.07 cubic yards at that depth.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 224.0 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic yards: 224.0 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 2.07 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 2.9 tons.
The gravel calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Crushed Stone Under a 14x16 Deck?
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of gravel | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.38 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| 3 in | 2.07 | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| 4 in | 2.77 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| 6 in | 4.15 | 5.8 | 6.4 |
Building the deck base
Gravel under a deck blocks weeds, keeps the ground from turning to mud and lets water drain. Lay landscape fabric first, then about 2 to 3 inches of stone; there is no need to compact it the way you would a driveway base.
Related: How Much Pea Gravel Under a 14x16 Deck?
Before the stone goes in
Clear vegetation, rake the soil level and compact it. Lay fabric overlapped at the seams and set edging before spreading the stone.
Buying the stone
If you haul it yourself, a typical half-ton pickup should carry only about half a cubic yard of stone, well under what the bed looks like it can hold. Gravel is a broad label, so confirm whether the yard means crushed or rounded stone and whether it carries fines. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard number, since stone source and moisture change it.
Tools for the job
For anything bigger than a small path, rent a plate compactor; hand tampers cannot match it. A wheelbarrow, shovels, a hard rake and stakes with string are the rest of the kit. Wet the stone lightly before compacting so it binds.
Measuring the area
Use a long tape and measure each side twice. If the ground slopes, measure depth at the high and low ends and average them. Irregular outlines can be broken into simple rectangles, triangles and circles; add the pieces for the total square footage before converting to tons.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel under a 14x16 deck?
About 2.9 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many yards of gravel under a 14x16 deck?
About 2.07 cubic yards.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Roughly 1.4 tons for planning, but suppliers vary with stone size and moisture.
Do I need to compact it?
Yes for anything that carries weight. Compact in lifts of a few inches with a plate compactor.
Related guides
- Gravel Under a Deck: Weeds, Drainage, and Depth
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Geotextile Fabric for Driveways: Woven vs Nonwoven and How Much You Need
- Compacting a Driveway Gravel Base in Lifts
- How Much #57 Stone Under a 12x20 Deck?
- How Much Pea Gravel Under a 12x20 Deck?
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