Gravel and Aggregate Calculator
Aggregate volume and tonnage for a driveway or base course, with a compaction allowance and the density caveat that decides whether a delivery arrives short.
Gravel & Aggregate Calculator — volume and tonnage
Aggregate is sold by weight but a hole has a volume, and the number that connects them changes with the material and how wet it is. Getting that one factor wrong is how a delivery arrives short.
| Finished volume | — |
|---|---|
| Loose volume to order | — |
| Weight (US tons) | — |
| Weight (metric tonnes) | — |
| Coverage at this depth | — |
| Truck loads (approx) | — |
Densities here are ordinary dry, loose figures and are approximate. Real density moves
with gradation, moisture and source — the same stone can vary 10–15% between quarries, and wet
material weighs materially more. Ask your supplier for the density of the specific product
before ordering by weight; that number is the whole calculation.
Compaction allowance is the extra loose volume needed to finish at the depth you want. A base compacted
to 15% means you place roughly 1.15 yd³ loose for every 1 yd³ of finished depth. Truck loads
assume about 15 tons per standard tandem load, which varies by jurisdiction and by truck.