Gravel / Aggregate Calculator — ft to tons, yd³, cost
How to use this calculator
Pick a search preset or enter your own footprint, set the spread depth, and choose the aggregate. The tons, truck loads and dollar figure are what you call into the quarry — order loose volume; the depth you typed is the finished compacted depth after rolling.
Material — 10 aggregates, each with its own loose bulk density that drives tonnage and truck loads.
Cost — price per ton or per loose cubic yard; add a per-load delivery fee under Delivery.
Compaction allowance — crushed bases lose roughly 10-20% volume under a plate compactor or roller; the slider adds that plus spillage so you order enough loose material.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Material | Area ft² | Vol yd³ | Weight tons | Trucks | Cost |
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Gravel & Aggregate Tonnage Notes
Aggregate is sold loose by weight, but you spread it by depth over an area, so every estimate goes area → loose volume → tons. Densities here are typical loose (uncompacted, slightly damp) bulk values; quarries vary ±5-10%, so confirm the supplier's t/yd³ on the ticket before ordering by weight. For a structural base, order the loose quantity that compacts to the design thickness — a crushed stone base shrinks roughly 10-20% under a roller, which is what the compaction slider covers. This calculator is an estimating aid, not a substitute for a geotechnical pavement design.
Formulas
Volume: Area (ft²) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = loose volume (yd³). Weight: yd³ × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2,000 = US short tons. With allowance: order volume = net × (1 + waste %). Typical loose densities: gravel / crushed stone 2,700 lb/yd³ (1.35 t/yd³), pea gravel and sand 2,500 lb/yd³, recycled concrete 2,200 lb/yd³, topsoil 1,800 lb/yd³, mulch 600 lb/yd³.
How Many Tons of Gravel for a Driveway?
A 10 × 20 ft driveway at 4″ = 200 ft² × 0.333 ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³. At 2,700 lb/yd³ that is 2.47 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 ≈ 3.33 tons; add 10% for compaction and ordering about 3.7 tons. A single-axle dump truck hauls 10-15 tons, so one load covers most residential drives. Need to dig the area out first? Size the excavation with the excavation volume calculator and balance site dirt with the cut and fill calculator.
Ordering tips
2025 quarry prices in the US run roughly $18-35/ton for #57 stone or 21A delivered within ~20 miles, $28-45/ton for pea gravel and washed stone, and $40-70/ton for decorative river rock or red lava. The #1 mistake is ordering by yard when the supplier quotes by ton (or vice-versa) — confirm the unit on the ticket and that the t/yd³ matches the material; an extra 5-10% wash can shift weight by half a ton on a 10-ton load. Always include a separate sub-base lift under driveways and slabs (4″ of #57 is the IRC §R506.2.2 minimum), build a 2-3% crown so water rolls off, and ask about short-load fees if you need less than ~5 tons — many yards add $50-100 below their truck minimum. For a structural application, pair this with the fill calculator and verify gradation against ASTM D2940 / AASHTO M147 before placement.
FAQ
What depth of gravel for a driveway? Typically 4-6″: a 4″ compacted crushed-stone base plus a 2″ surface layer over a firm subgrade. How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh? About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) for crushed stone; pea gravel and sand run near 2,500 lb/yd³. How much area does 1 ton cover? Roughly 100 ft² at 2″ or 50 ft² at 4″. Gravel vs. structural fill? Use this tool for surfacing and base course; for trench backfill and compacted structural fill see the fill and backfill calculator, and for garden material the topsoil and mulch calculator. Setting gravel under a pad? Pair it with the concrete slab calculator.
