Coverage
How Much Area Does a Tonne of Gravel Cover?
One tonne of typical gravel covers about 10 m² (110 ft²) at 5 cm (2 in) deep. Coverage halves each time you double the depth — here is the full breakdown in metric and imperial.
Coverage by depth
A tonne of gravel is a fixed weight, so the area it covers depends entirely on how thick you spread it. Using a typical density of about 1.5 t/m³:
| Depth | Coverage (metric) | Coverage (imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 cm (1 in) | ≈ 27 m² | ≈ 290 ft² |
| 5 cm (2 in) | ≈ 13 m² | ≈ 140 ft² |
| 7.5 cm (3 in) | ≈ 9 m² | ≈ 97 ft² |
| 10 cm (4 in) | ≈ 6.7 m² | ≈ 72 ft² |
Rule of thumb: one tonne ≈ 13 m² (140 ft²) at 2 inches deep. Double the depth and the coverage halves.
Why coverage varies
Lighter, rounder stone like pea gravel or river rock (around 1.4–1.5 t/m³) covers a little more ground per tonne, while denser crushed limestone (about 1.6–1.7 t/m³) covers slightly less. Moisture adds weight too, so wet gravel covers less area per tonne than dry.
- Pea gravel / river rock: ≈ 14–15 m² (150–160 ft²) per tonne at 2 in.
- Crushed stone / limestone: ≈ 12 m² (130 ft²) per tonne at 2 in.
From area to tonnes
To go the other way, divide your area by the coverage above. For 50 m² at 5 cm deep you need about 50 ÷ 13 ≈ 3.8 tonnes. The Gravel Coverage Calculator does this instantly, and the Gravel Tonnage Calculator converts a known volume into tonnes. See also how much a yard of gravel weighs.
Frequently asked questions
How much area does a tonne of gravel cover?
About 13 m² (140 ft²) at 5 cm (2 in) deep for typical gravel. At 1 inch it covers roughly 27 m² (290 ft²); at 4 inches about 6.7 m² (72 ft²). Coverage halves each time you double the depth.
How many square feet does a ton of gravel cover at 3 inches?
Roughly 95–100 ft² (about 9 m²) per tonne at a 3 inch depth, for gravel of typical density. Lighter pea gravel covers a bit more and dense crushed limestone a bit less.
How many tonnes of gravel do I need for 100 square metres?
At a 5 cm (2 in) depth, about 7.5–8 tonnes (100 ÷ 13 m² per tonne). At 10 cm (4 in) you would need roughly 15 tonnes.
Does gravel type change the coverage?
Yes. Lighter, rounder stone such as pea gravel or river rock covers slightly more area per tonne, while denser crushed limestone covers a little less. Wet gravel weighs more, so it covers less per tonne than dry.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general estimates for planning. Actual gravel quantities, weights and prices vary with material type, particle size, moisture, compaction, supplier and your province. Costs are material-only ballparks in Canadian dollars and exclude labour, delivery and taxes unless stated. Always confirm quantities and prices with your local supplier.