How much does a yard of 3/4" gravel weigh?

Roughly 2,700–2,800 lbs (1.35–1.4 tons) per cubic yard, depending on whether it's clean stone, crushed limestone, or ¾ minus with fines.

What's the difference between 3/4" clean and 3/4" minus?

Clean ¾ is washed and contains no particles smaller than ¾ inch. ¾ minus contains everything from ¾ down to dust. Clean drains; minus compacts.

How many tons of 3/4" gravel for a driveway?

A 100 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 17 tons of ¾ minus. Use the calculator above for your dimensions.

Is 3/4" gravel the same as #57 stone?

Very close. #57 is a graded mix centered on ¾ inch (range about ¼" to 1½"). "¾ gravel" usually means a more tightly graded product right at ¾. Functionally interchangeable for most homeowner projects.

How deep should 3/4" gravel be?

4 inches for a driveway base, 2–3 inches for a top course or decorative use, 12+ inches for French drain fill. See our depth guide for full details.

Whats the difference between 3/4" clean and 3/4" minus?

3/4" clean (also called "clean ¾") is washed angular stone from about ½" to 1" with no fines — it drains freely and works for French drains and decorative use. 3/4" minus (or "minus ¾", "DGA", "crusher run") includes everything from ¾" down to dust — the fines bind the stones together so it compacts hard, but it doesn't drain. Use clean for drainage, minus for compacted bases.

How much area does a ton of 3/4" gravel cover?

About 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 50 sq ft at 4 inches deep. ¾" gravel runs roughly 2,650–2,750 lbs per cubic yard depending on whether it's clean or minus. The calculator above gives the exact figure for your dimensions.

Can I mix 3/4" clean and 3/4" minus?

Not in the same layer. They serve opposite functions — clean drains, minus compacts. But they layer well: ¾ minus as a compacted base, then ¾ clean as a top course or drainage layer above. That stratification is exactly how a good driveway is built.

3/4" Gravel Calculator — Yards & Tons

Three flavors of 3/4" gravel

When a supplier says "¾-inch gravel," they usually mean one of these:

Clean ¾" / #57 stone — washed, no fines, drains freely. Best for drainage, French drains, and visible top courses. Density ≈ 2,750 lbs/yd³.
Crushed ¾" limestone — angular, no fines. Used for driveway top courses where compaction isn't critical. Density ≈ 2,700.
¾" minus / crusher run / ABC — includes fines that pack tight when compacted. Used for driveway bases, paver sub-bases, and anything that needs to harden up. Density ≈ 2,700–2,750.

All three products fall in a narrow density band (within 3% of each other), so picking the wrong one in the calculator costs you at most a small-bag margin. For more on the size grading system, see the gravel types and sizes guide.

Ask for ¾ minus by name for driveways

If you're building a driveway base, ask your supplier specifically for "¾ minus" or "crusher run." Generic "¾ gravel" could be the clean version, which won't compact and will rut under tires.

Recommended depth & material

Use	Depth	Material	Notes
Driveway base (with fines)	4–6"	¾ minus / crusher run	Compacts to a hard surface.
Driveway top course	2–3"	Clean ¾ / #57	Drains; doesn't compact.
French drain fill	12"+	Clean ¾ / #57	Around perforated pipe.
Decorative bed	2–3"	River rock 1"-3" or clean ¾	Use over weed fabric.
Walking path base	3"	¾ minus	Compacts firm; can finish with pea gravel on top.

Measuring for a 3/4" gravel order

Standard rectangular math: length × width × depth. The product variant matters for how deep you should lay it, not for the volume math itself. If you're not sure which ¾ product you need, ask the supplier what their "driveway gravel" or "drainage stone" default is — most yards have a regional standard.

Pick the variant. Clean ¾ for drainage; ¾ minus for compacted bases.
Measure length × width. In feet, or use the metric toggle for meters.
Set depth based on use. 4 inches for a base; 2–3 for decorative or a top course.
Apply 10% buffer. Standard for ¾ minus (which compacts). Drop to 5–8% for clean ¾.