Worked example: 4 inches deep
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 14 ft × 14 ft | 196 sq ft |
| Volume at 4 in | 196 × 4 ÷ 12 | 65.3 ft³ |
| Add 10% for compaction | 65.3 × 1.10 | 71.9 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 71.9 ÷ 27 | 2.66 yd³ |
| Tons | 2.66 × 1.4 | 3.73 tons |
Gravel by depth
| Depth | Cubic feet (+10%) | Cubic yards | Tons | Bulk order (tons) | Delivered cost | 0.5 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 32.7 | 1.33 | 1.86 | 2.0 | $190 | 72 bags / $396 |
| 3 in | 49.0 | 2.00 | 2.79 | 3.0 | $235 | 108 bags / $594 |
| 4 in | 65.3 | 2.66 | 3.73 | 4.0 | $280 | 144 bags / $792 |
| 6 in | 98.0 | 3.99 | 5.59 | 6.0 | $370 | 216 bags / $1,188 |
| 8 in | 130.7 | 5.32 | 7.45 | 7.5 | $438 | 288 bags / $1,584 |
At 4 inches, a bulk delivery is cheaper here ($792 in bags versus $280 delivered). Bagged gravel weighs about 7,200 lb in total for this size, so bulk is the practical way to buy for a driveway.
Prices used: bulk gravel $45 per ton plus $100 delivery (1 ton minimum); 0.5 ft³ bags $5.50. Quarry prices vary widely by stone type and region.
Patio base notes
Under pavers or flagstone, a compacted gravel base of 4 inches is typical for foot traffic, and 6 inches or more where soil is soft or frost is deep. The 1 in layer of bedding sand on top adds about 0.90 tons (sand for pavers by patio size).
For a patio finished with loose gravel instead of pavers, 2–3 inches of pea gravel over landscape fabric is enough: 1.9–2.8 tons here.
Nearby sizes
Also see 12×16 patio base , 16×16 patio base , 12×12 patio base, or the driveway and patio gravel chart. Open the gravel calculator to change the size or price.