Your Result Explained: Exact Takeoff Breakdown
Five cubic yards of gravel equals 135.00 cubic feet of stone—the standard full capacity of a single-axle residential landscape dump truck. Using the FHWA and ASTM C29 planning density for #57 clean crushed stone (2,700 lbs/yd³ or 1.35 tons/yd³), 5 cubic yards of gravel weighs 13,500 lbs, or 6.75 US short tons (6.12 metric tonnes). Depending on quarry mineralogy and stockpile moisture (2,600 to 2,900 lbs/yd³), the scale weight will fall between 6.50 and 7.25 tons.
If you switch stone grades for a 5-cubic-yard load, the weight adjusts slightly: 5 cubic yards of 3/8" washed Pea Gravel or River Rock (1.30 tons/yd³) weighs 6.50 tons (13,000 lbs); 5 cubic yards of Driveway Crusher Run / DGA or Decomposed Granite (1.40 tons/yd³) weighs 7.00 tons (14,000 lbs); and 5 cubic yards of porous Volcanic Lava Rock (0.65 tons/yd³) weighs just 3.25 tons (6,500 lbs). Across all stone types, 5 cubic yards (135 cu ft) covers 540.0 sq ft at 3 inches deep, 405.0 sq ft at 4 inches deep, or 810.0 sq ft at 2 inches deep.
At an average quarry rate of $45 per ton, 6.75 tons (5 cubic yards) of #57 crushed stone costs $303.75 for the aggregate plus $85–$125 for single-axle dump truck delivery ($390–$430 total). Buying the equivalent 270 retail 50-lb bags at $5.25 each would cost $1,417.50—making bulk delivery over $980 cheaper.
Step-by-Step Math: Converting 5 Cubic Yards of Gravel to Tons & Coverage
Converting 5.00 cubic yards of #57 crushed stone (2,700 lbs/yd³) into cubic feet, pounds, US short tons, 50-lb bags, and 3-inch area coverage.
- Convert Cubic Yards to Cubic Feet: 5.00 yd³ × 27 ft³/yd³ = 135.00 cu ft (3.82 cu m).
- Multiply by #57 Stone Density (2,700 lbs/yd³): 5.00 yd³ × 2,700 lbs/yd³ = 13,500 lbs (6,123 kg).
- Convert Pounds to US Short Tons: 13,500 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 6.75 US short tons (range: 6.50 to 7.25 tons).
- Calculate Coverage at 3 Inches Deep: 135.00 cu ft ÷ (3 in ÷ 12) = 540.0 sq ft (50.2 sq m).
- Calculate Equivalent 50-Lb Retail Bags (0.5 cu ft/bag): 135.00 cu ft ÷ 0.5 = 270 bags.
Bottom Line: 5 cubic yards of #57 gravel = 6.75 tons (or 7.00 tons of crusher run) and covers 540 sq ft at 3" deep.
How This Scenario Is Calculated
Each cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, so 5 cubic yards equals 135.00 cubic feet. Multiplying 5 cubic yards by 2,700 lbs/yd³ (the bulk density of 3/4-inch #57 crushed stone) gives 13,500 lbs. Dividing 13,500 lbs by 2,000 lbs per US short ton produces 6.75 tons.
To find square-foot coverage at a 3-inch (0.25 ft) depth, we divide 135.00 cubic feet by 0.25 feet (or multiply 5 yd³ × 108 sq ft/yd³), yielding exactly 540.0 square feet.
Tons = Cubic Yards × [ Material Density (lbs/yd³) ÷ 2,000 ] Cubic Yards = Tons ÷ [ Material Density (lbs/yd³) ÷ 2,000 ] Coverage (sq ft) = ( Cubic Yards × 324 ) ÷ Depth (inches) Project-Specific Tips & Common Mistakes
Order "7 Tons" When Calling the Quarry for a 5-Yard Load
Because quarry scale operators load with large 3-to-5-yard bucket scoops and bill to the hundredth of a ton on the exit scale, asking for "7 tons" of #57 stone or crusher run gives you right at 5.0 to 5.18 cubic yards.
Visualize a 5-Yard Driveway Coverage Footprint
At 540 sq ft of coverage (3 inches deep), 5 cubic yards of gravel will resurface a 10-foot-wide driveway for 54 linear feet, or a 12-foot-wide driveway for 45 linear feet. At 4 inches deep (405 sq ft), it covers a 10 ft × 40.5 ft parking pad.
Verify Your Dump Trailer GVWR Before Self-Hauling
At 13,500 lbs of rock plus ~3,200 lbs of empty trailer weight (16,700 lbs total), 5 cubic yards of gravel exceeds the legal capacity of a standard 14,000-lb GVWR tandem dump trailer. Limit a 14k dump trailer to 3.5–4.0 cubic yards (~10,000 lbs of payload) per trip.
Mistake Thinking a "5-yard dump truck" can always haul 5 yards of rock
Recommended Fix: Some light-duty landscape dump trucks (like a Ford F-450/F-550 with tall wood sideboards) can hold 8 cubic yards of light mulch by volume, but are weight-limited to 4 or 5 tons (3 to 3.7 cubic yards) of heavy stone.
Mistake Forgetting to deduct 10% for compaction on new bases
Recommended Fix: While 5 loose cubic yards covers 540 sq ft at 3 inches before tamping, mechanical plate compaction compresses crusher run by ~10%–12%, yielding roughly 485 sq ft at a true compacted 3-inch thickness.
Reference Coverage Table (#57 Crushed Stone (3/4" Clean Angular Limestone/Granite))
Compare how coverage changes across common depths for #57 Crushed Stone (3/4" Clean Angular Limestone/Granite) (default planning density 2700 lbs/yd³):
| Depth | 1 Cubic Yard Covers | 1 Ton Covers | Yards / 100 sq ft | Tons / 100 sq ft | Bags (0.5 ft³) / 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.84 tons | 34 bags |
| 3 in Active | 108 sq ft | 80 sq ft | 0.93 yd³ | 1.26 tons | 50 bags |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ | 1.66 tons | 67 bags |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ | 2.5 tons | 100 bags |
Reference Source: FHWA Aggregates Reference & ASTM C29 bulk density standard (95–105 lbs/ft³).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area does 5 cubic yards of gravel cover at 2", 3", 4", and 6" deep?
Five cubic yards (135 cubic feet) covers: 810 sq ft at 2 inches deep; 540 sq ft at 3 inches deep; 405 sq ft at 4 inches deep; and 270 sq ft at 6 inches deep.
How many tons is 5 cubic yards of topsoil or sand compared to gravel?
Five cubic yards of screened loam topsoil (1.10 tons/yd³) weighs 5.50 tons (11,000 lbs). Five cubic yards of dry play/masonry sand (1.30 tons/yd³) weighs 6.50 tons (13,000 lbs), and 5 cubic yards of coarse concrete bedding sand (1.35 tons/yd³) weighs 6.75 tons (13,500 lbs).
What if I order 5 tons of gravel instead of 5 cubic yards?
Five US tons (10,000 lbs) of #57 crushed stone is only 3.70 cubic yards (100 cubic feet), which covers 400 sq ft at 3 inches deep—about 26% less volume than 5 cubic yards (6.75 tons).
How many wheelbarrow loads are in 5 cubic yards (6.75 tons) of gravel?
At a safe, pushable load of ~2.75 cubic feet (275 lbs) per contractor wheelbarrow trip, moving 5 cubic yards (135 cubic feet / 13,500 lbs) takes roughly 48 to 50 wheelbarrow loads.
How big is a 5-cubic-yard pile of gravel when dumped on a driveway?
When tipped from a single-axle dump truck, 5 cubic yards (6.75 tons) of gravel forms an oval cone roughly 9 to 10 feet wide, 12 to 14 feet long, and 3.5 to 4 feet tall at the peak.