How to use it
- Choose a rectangular or circular project and enter its finished dimensions.
- Enter the planned compacted depth and the number of identical areas.
- Adjust waste, bulk density, price per tonne and truck capacity using supplier data.
Construction
Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel volume, weight, waste and delivered material cost.
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Project inputs
Unit system
Calculator guide
How to calculate gravel accurately
This gravel calculator estimates the compacted area volume, adds your waste allowance, converts the result to material weight and estimates truckloads and material cost.
Use the finished length, width and compacted depth of the driveway, path or base. For irregular projects, divide the area into rectangles or circles and calculate each section separately.
Gravel volume and weight formula
Order volume = area × depth × quantity × (1 + waste %). Weight = order volume × bulk density.
Worked example
A 10 m × 5 m driveway with a 10 cm compacted layer has a base volume of 5.00 m³. With 5% waste, order 5.25 m³. At 1.6 t/m³, the estimated material weight is 8.40 tonnes.
Before ordering
- Loose delivery volume and compacted volume may differ.
- Moisture, grading and aggregate type change bulk density.
- Material price may exclude delivery, spreading and minimum-load charges.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should driveway gravel be?
Depth depends on soil, traffic and the number of layers. Confirm the section with a local contractor or engineer; calculate each layer separately when densities differ.
How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?
Convert the volume to cubic meters or yards, then multiply by the supplier’s bulk density. A generic density is only a planning estimate.
Does the result include compaction?
The calculator adds a user-defined waste allowance. If your supplier gives a separate compaction factor, include it in that allowance.