Gravel & Aggregate Calculator
Work out cubic yards and tonnage of gravel, sand, crushed stone, topsoil, or fill for any area and depth. Picks density by material, supports custom values, imperial and metric.
Suppliers sell aggregate by weight (tons) but you measure the hole by volume — density bridges the two. Densities vary with moisture and compaction; confirm with your supplier for a precise order.
What this calculator does
It converts the area and depth of a gravel, sand, stone, topsoil, or fill layer into the volume (cubic yards and cubic metres) and the weight to order (US tons and metric tonnes). Suppliers sell by weight, so the tonnage is the number you actually quote.
How to use it
Pick your unit system and material — each preset carries a typical compacted density — or choose Custom and enter your own density in pounds per cubic foot. Enter the length and width of the area and the depth of the layer, add a waste allowance, and read the tonnage off the top card.
The math
Volume = length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches (or millimetres) to the same unit as length. Cubic feet ÷ 27 gives cubic yards. Weight = volume in cubic feet × density (lb/ft³); divide by 2,000 for US tons, and convert to tonnes with 1 lb = 0.4536 kg.
What the numbers mean
The highlighted figure is the weight to order in your system's units, with the other unit and the material shown beneath. The cubic-yard and cubic-metre figures are there for cross-checking a quote or sizing a bin. Because suppliers price by the ton, the tonnage is what controls your bill.
Typical densities
- Gravel — ~105 lb/ft³: Drainage, driveways, general fill.
- Sand / crushed stone — ~100 lb/ft³: Bedding, sub-base, paver setting beds.
- Fill dirt — ~90 lb/ft³: Grading and bulk fill.
- Topsoil — ~80 lb/ft³: Lawns and garden beds; lighter and more variable with moisture.
Practical tips
Compaction reduces loose volume by roughly 10–20%, so a layer that measures 4 inches loose settles thinner — order a bit extra if the spec is a compacted depth. For odd-shaped areas, break the site into rectangles, run each, and sum the results.
Go deeper
For the full walkthrough — converting volume to tons by material and sizing a base — How many tons of gravel for a driveway or base? covers how I order it the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?▾
It depends on the material's density. Typical gravel runs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard, sand and crushed stone around 1.35, topsoil closer to 1.1, and fill dirt about 1.2. This calculator uses pounds-per-cubic-foot densities under the hood, so you can pick a preset or enter your own.
How deep should I lay gravel?▾
For a walkway or light path, 2–3 inches over a compacted base is common. Driveways usually want 4 inches of surface gravel over 4–6 inches of sub-base. Deeper layers need proportionally more material — depth drives the volume directly.
Should I order by volume or weight?▾
Aggregate suppliers almost always sell by weight (tons or tonnes), but you measure your project by volume (the size of the area and depth). Density converts between the two, which is why this tool reports both. Quote your supplier the tonnage.
Why does the tonnage estimate vary?▾
Bulk density changes with moisture content, compaction, and the exact gradation of the material. Wet sand weighs more than dry; compacted base weighs more than loose. Treat the result as a close estimate and confirm the supplier's actual density for a precise order.
Does this include the sub-base?▾
No — it calculates one layer for the dimensions you enter. If you're building up a base plus a surface course, run the calculator once per layer (each may use a different material and depth) and add the tonnages.
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