Gravel / Aggregate Calculator — m to tonnes, m³, cost
How to use this calculator
Pick a search preset or enter your own footprint, set the spread depth, and choose the aggregate. The tonnes, truck loads and the cost figure are what you call into the quarry — order loose volume; the depth you type is the finished compacted layer after rolling.
Material — 10 aggregates, each with its own loose bulk density that drives tonnage and truck loads.
Cost — price per tonne or per loose m³, with a currency selector; add a per-load delivery fee under Delivery.
Compaction allowance — crushed bases lose roughly 10-20% volume under a vibrating plate or roller; the slider adds that plus spillage so you order enough loose material.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Material | Area m² | Vol m³ | Weight t | Trucks | Cost |
|---|
Gravel & Aggregate Tonnage Notes (Metric)
Aggregate is sold loose by weight but spread by depth over an area, so every estimate runs area → loose volume → tonnes. The densities here are typical loose (uncompacted, slightly damp) bulk values per EN 13242; quarry output varies ±5-10%, so check the supplier's t/m³ on the delivery note before ordering by weight. For a structural sub-base to EN 13285, order the loose quantity that compacts to the design layer thickness — crushed stone shrinks roughly 10-20% under a roller, which the compaction slider covers. Treat this as an estimating aid, not a geotechnical pavement design.
Formulas
Volume: Area (m²) × Depth (m) = loose volume (m³). Weight: m³ × density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000 = tonnes. With allowance: order volume = net × (1 + waste %). Typical loose densities: gravel / crushed stone 1,600 kg/m³, pea gravel and sand 1,500 kg/m³, recycled concrete 1,300 kg/m³, topsoil 1,070 kg/m³, mulch 360 kg/m³.
How Many Tonnes of Gravel for a Driveway?
A 6 × 3 m driveway at 10 cm = 18 m² × 0.10 m = 1.80 m³. At 1,600 kg/m³ that is 1.80 × 1,600 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 2.88 tonnes; add 10% for compaction and ordering about 3.17 tonnes. A standard tipper hauls 10-14 tonnes, so one load covers most residential drives. Need to dig the area out first? Size the dig with the excavation volume calculator and balance site soil with the cut and fill calculator.
Ordering tips
2025 EU quarry prices typically run €15-30/tonne for 0-32 mm crushed sub-base and 4-22 mm aggregate delivered within ~30 km, €25-45/tonne for pea gravel and washed stone, and €40-80/tonne for decorative river rock or basalt chippings. The #1 mistake is ordering by m³ when the supplier invoices by tonne (or vice-versa) — confirm the unit on the delivery note and that the t/m³ matches the actual material; an extra 5-10% moisture or wash content can shift weight by half a tonne on a 10-tonne load. Always include a separate sub-base lift under drives and slabs (10-15 cm of 0-32 mm crushed stone to EN 13285 for residential traffic), build a 2-3% crossfall so water rolls off, and ask about minimum load fees — many yards add €50-100 below their truck minimum of 3-5 tonnes. For structural placement, pair this with the fill calculator and verify gradation against EN 13242 before placement.
FAQ
What depth of gravel for a driveway? Typically 10-15 cm: a 10 cm compacted crushed-stone sub-base plus a 5 cm surface layer over a firm subgrade. How much does a cubic metre of gravel weigh? About 1,600 kg (1.6 tonnes) for crushed stone; sand runs near 1,500 kg/m³. How much area does 1 tonne cover? Roughly 12.5 m² at 5 cm or 6.25 m² at 10 cm. Gravel vs. structural fill? Use this tool for surfacing and sub-base; for trench backfill and compacted structural fill see the fill and backfill calculator, and for garden material the topsoil and mulch calculator. Bedding gravel under a slab? Pair it with the concrete slab calculator.
