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Gravel and Aggregate Tonnage Calculator

How much gravel, stone, or sand do you need, and how many trucks will deliver it. Enter the area dimensions, pick the depth in inches, choose your material, and see cubic yards, tons, and truckloads in real time. Built for excavation contractors ordering from the quarry, not homeowners buying bags from the hardware store.

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The math, shown transparently

No black box. Here is exactly what the calculator computes on every input change. If any of these numbers look wrong, cross-check with your quarry ticket.

// Volume. Depth is in inches (imperial) or cm (metric).

volume_ft³ = length × width × (depth_inches / 12) (imperial)

volume_yd³ = volume_ft³ / 27

volume_m³ = length × width × (depth_cm / 100) (metric)

volume_yd³ = volume_m³ / 0.7646 (NIST yd³ to m³)

// Weight. Multiply volume by material density.

tons = volume_yd³ × density_tons_per_yd³

// Adjusted. Optional 10% waste factor.

adjusted_yd³ = volume_yd³ × 1.10

adjusted_tons = tons × 1.10

// Truck loads. Always rounds up.

loads = ceil(adjusted_yd³ / truck_capacity_yd³)

Worked example

A 50 ft × 20 ft parking pad, 4 inches of crusher run, hauled with a 12 yd³ tandem dump:

volume_ft³ = 50 × 20 × (4/12) = 333.33 ft³

volume_yd³ = 333.33 / 27 = 12.35 yd³

tons = 12.35 × 1.45 = 17.9 tons

loads = ceil(12.35 / 12) = ceil(1.03) = 2 loads

You can verify this with any cubic yard calculator. The math is pure, no server calls, and the numbers are locked in a unit test so they cannot drift.

Material types explained

Different aggregate materials have different densities and use cases. Choosing the right material matters more than getting the tonnage exact.

  • Crusher run / road base (1.45 tons/yd³): Crushed stone with fines that lock together when compacted. The standard base course for driveways, pads, and under pavement.
  • Crushed limestone (1.40 tons/yd³): Clean crushed stone without fines. Used for drainage, fill, and decorative applications.
  • Pea gravel (1.40 tons/yd³): Smooth, rounded stone 3/8" to 1/2". Drains well. Good for French drains, landscaping, and pipe bedding.
  • River rock (1.35 tons/yd³): Larger rounded stone (1-3"). Decorative, erosion control, and dry creek beds.
  • Rip rap (1.80 tons/yd³): Large angular stone for erosion protection on slopes, channels, and shorelines. Heavy. Weight-limits trucks.
  • Washed sand (1.35 tons/yd³): Clean sand for pipe bedding, concrete mix, and leveling. Washed to remove clay and silt.
  • Fill sand (1.30 tons/yd³): Unwashed sand for backfill and grading. Cheaper than washed. Not suitable for concrete.
  • Topsoil (screened) (1.10 tons/yd³): Screened topsoil for finish grading and landscaping. Lighter than stone due to organic content.
  • Recycled concrete (1.35 tons/yd³): Crushed concrete from demolition. Compacts well and is cheaper than virgin stone. Accepted by most DOTs for base course.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert cubic yards of gravel to tons?

Multiply the cubic yards by the material density in tons per cubic yard. Crushed limestone and pea gravel are about 1.40 tons/yd³. Crusher run (road base) is about 1.45 tons/yd³. Rip rap is heavier at about 1.80 tons/yd³. The density depends on the material, gradation, and moisture content. Quarries sell by the ton, so you need this conversion to get an accurate quote.

Why should I order 10% extra?

Four reasons. First, gravel settles after placement and compaction, leaving you short. Second, material is lost at the edges during spreading. Third, the bottom of the quarry pile often has fines and dust you will waste. Fourth, irregularities in the subgrade mean some spots need more depth. Ordering 10% extra is standard practice and cheaper than a second delivery charge for a small top-off load.

How deep should my gravel driveway be?

4 to 6 inches for residential driveways with normal car traffic. 6 to 8 inches for driveways with heavy truck traffic (deliveries, equipment). 8 to 12 inches over soft soil that needs extra stabilization. These are finished depths after compaction. You may need to place more material to achieve the target compacted depth, especially with crusher run which compacts significantly.

What is the difference between crusher run and pea gravel?

Crusher run (also called road base or ABC stone) is a blend of crushed stone and stone dust that locks together when compacted. It creates a solid, stable surface ideal for driveways, parking pads, and base courses under pavement. Pea gravel is rounded, smooth stone (usually 3/8" to 1/2") that does not lock together. It drains well and works for landscaping, drainage beds, and walkways, but it migrates and is not suitable as a structural base.

Does this account for truck weight limits?

No. The calculator computes loads based on volumetric truck capacity (cubic yards). Dense materials like rip rap (1.80 tons/yd³) will hit DOT weight limits well before the bed is full. A 12 yd³ tandem loaded with rip rap would weigh about 21.6 tons of material alone, which exceeds most axle configurations. For dense materials, the quarry will short-load the truck to stay legal. Plan for fewer cubic yards per load on heavy material.

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