How Much Gravel Under a 16x16 Deck?
How much gravel under a 16x16 deck: about 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep. The area is 256 square feet, which is 2.37 cubic yards at that depth.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 256.0 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic yards: 256.0 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 2.37 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 3.3 tons.
The gravel calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Crushed Stone Under a 16x16 Deck?
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of gravel | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.58 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 3 in | 2.37 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| 4 in | 3.16 | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| 6 in | 4.74 | 6.6 | 7.3 |
Deck tips
Under a deck, stone is a weed and moisture barrier rather than a structural layer. Slope the soil away from the house, lay fabric and spread 2 to 3 inches of washed stone that drains quickly.
Related: How Much Pea Gravel Under a 16x16 Deck?
Prep
Remove sod and roots, level the area and slope it slightly for drainage. Install edging so the stone stays inside the footprint.
Buying the stone
Small dump trucks commonly carry around 5 to 10 tons and tri-axles more, but loads vary by truck and state, so ask the yard what fits in one trip. Gravel is a broad label, so confirm whether the yard means crushed or rounded stone and whether it carries fines. The scale ticket is the real weight; tons per yard here is a planning figure.
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.
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.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel under a 16x16 deck?
About 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many yards of gravel under a 16x16 deck?
About 2.37 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.
Should I put landscape fabric under the stone?
On soft or clay soil, a woven geotextile keeps stone from sinking into the dirt and makes the layer last longer.
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 14x16 Deck?
- How Much Pea Gravel Under a 14x16 Deck?
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