Aggregates & Landscaping6 min read
Gravel and Sand Calculator: Volume, Tonnage, and Base Depth
Calculate gravel, sand, crushed stone, and aggregate volume in cubic yards or cubic meters, and estimate total weight in tons.
By StructoCalc Editorial Team
Calculating aggregate volume
Multiply area length by width and compacted depth to find cubic volume. Because aggregates settle and compact under weight and traffic, calculate loose volume with a 5% to 10% compaction allowance.
Converting volume to weight (tons)
Different aggregates have different densities. Crushed stone and gravel typically weigh about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard (or ~2.6 t/m³ loose density vs solid stone). Multiply cubic yard volume by material density to find total tonnage.
Preparing the sub-base
A stable sub-base prevents aggregate from sinking into soft soil. Use geotextile fabric where appropriate and compact subgrade layers properly.
- Measure length, width, and compacted depth.
- Apply material density for accurate tonnage conversion.
- Include compaction and settling allowance.
- Check delivery truck access and spread requirements.