Gravel / Aggregate Calculator — m to tonnes, m³, cost
How to use this calculator
Select an area shape (rectangle, circle, triangle, L-shape, or enter area directly), enter dimensions and choose the unit (m, cm, or mm), set gravel depth, and choose the material type. Results update instantly with volume, weight, coverage, and truck loads.
Material — select from 10 aggregate types; each has a different bulk density that affects weight and truck loads.
Cost — price per tonne or per m³. Set truck capacity to estimate delivery loads.
Compaction — gravel compacts 5-15% during installation; the waste/compaction slider accounts for this.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Material | Area m² | Vol m³ | Weight t | Trucks | Cost |
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How to Calculate Gravel and Aggregate (Metric)
This gravel calculator estimates volume in cubic meters and weight in metric tonnes for 10 common aggregate materials per EN 13242. Enter the coverage area dimensions and choose the unit (m, cm, or mm), set the desired gravel depth (typical: 5 cm for walkways, 10 cm for driveways, 15 cm for structural base courses per EN 13285), and choose the material type. The waste/compaction slider accounts for material loss during spreading and compaction.
Formulas
Volume: Area (m²) × Depth (m) = Volume (m³). Weight: Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000 = Weight (tonnes). Common densities: Gravel/Crushed stone 1,600 kg/m³, Sand 1,500 kg/m³, Topsoil 1,070 kg/m³, Mulch 360 kg/m³.
How Many Tonnes of Gravel Do I Need?
For a 6×3 m driveway at 10 cm depth: 18 m² × 0.10 m = 1.80 m³. At 1,600 kg/m³: 1.80 × 1,600 ÷ 1,000 = 2.88 tonnes. Add 10% for compaction: about 3.17 tonnes. A standard truck carries 10-14 tonnes, so one load is sufficient for most residential projects.
FAQ
What depth of gravel for a driveway? 10-15 cm is standard: 10 cm compacted base + 5 cm surface layer. How much does a cubic meter of gravel weigh? About 1,600 kg (1.6 tonnes) for standard gravel; sand weighs about 1,500 kg/m³. How much area does 1 tonne of gravel cover? At 5 cm depth, about 12.5 m²; at 10 cm depth, about 6.25 m².
