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Concrete & aggregate

Gravel Calculator

Estimate gravel for a path, pad or base layer in cubic yards, cubic meters and tons. Enter the supplier’s bulk density to turn a volume into a useful weight estimate.

Imperial + metricFraction-friendly inputsFree · No loginSee the math ↓

Project measurements

01 / INPUTS

Mix units freely: 8 ft, 100 mm, or 5' 7 1/2". Unmarked dimensions use the selected unit.

View live estimate ↓
For triangles, use perpendicular height. Not used for circles.
Applied before rounding purchase quantities.
Illustrative loose bulk density, not a universal material specification.
For a 50 lb bag enter 22.6796 kg.

Your estimate

LIVE RESULT
Gravel to order
1.994metric tonnes
Includes your selected allowance
Net volume1.481 yd³
Volume with allowance1.63 yd³
Volume with allowance1.246 m³
US short tons2.197 tons

Purchase / material list

Bag alternative80 bags

No account. Calculations stay in your browser.

Before you order

  • Mass = volume with allowance × entered bulk density. Density varies with material, moisture and compaction; obtain a supplier value.
  • Allowance is additional loose material, not an automatic compaction model. Do not add a second compaction factor if your supplier density already accounts for it.

UNDERSTAND YOUR ESTIMATE

How to use the gravel calculator

Aggregate suppliers may sell by weight while your site measurements describe volume. Bulk density connects the two. It includes voids between stones and varies with grading, moisture and handling. A compacted finished layer may need additional loose material; use a supplier conversion for that material and placement method.

Formula

Net volume = area × layer depth
Order volume = net volume × (1 + allowance/100)
Mass (kg) = order volume (m³) × bulk density (kg/m³)
Metric tonnes = kg ÷ 1,000; US short tons = kg ÷ 907.18474

Assumptions & scope

  • Default density of 1,600 kg/m³ is an illustrative input and must be checked with the supplier.
  • Allowance adds material volume. It is not a measured shrinkage or compaction factor.
  • Bag quantities assume the entered bag mass and density describe the same material.
  • A US short ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg. These quantities are labeled separately.
ON THE JOB / WORKED EXAMPLE

A calculation you can check

A 3 m × 4 m area at 100 mm deep needs 1.2 m³ net. At 10% allowance and 1,600 kg/m³, order volume is 1.32 m³ and mass is 2,112 kg: 2.112 metric tonnes, about 2.328 US tons, or 85 bags of 25 kg.

Quick reference

Gravel Calculator reference values
1 m³ at example bulk densityMassUS short tons
1,400 kg/m³1.400 tonnes1.543 tons
1,600 kg/m³1.600 tonnes1.764 tons
1,800 kg/m³1.800 tonnes1.984 tons

Calculation methodology

Geometry determines volume. User-supplied bulk density determines estimated mass. Density is not inferred from a material name, and no universal compaction factor is applied.

Length conversions use the NIST SI conversion factors. See our calculation and editorial standards for precision, validation and limitations.

Common questions

Is a ton the same as a tonne?

No. A US short ton is 907.18474 kg, while a metric tonne is 1,000 kg. Confirm the unit on the supplier quote.

Does this allow for compaction?

Only through the allowance and density you enter. Ask the supplier how much loose material is needed for your intended compacted volume, and avoid counting the same allowance twice.

Can I estimate decorative stone?

Yes, if the geometry is appropriate and you enter the correct bulk density and bag weight. Different stone types and sizes can have very different bulk densities.