Calculators › Gravel & Base Material

Gravel & Base Material Calculator

Stop guessing how many loads you need. Enter area and depth to get tons, cubic yards, and truck loads for any aggregate type.

Inputs

Each material uses a typical density factor for tonnage conversion.

For estimation purposes only. Terms of Use

Result

tonnes needed
Volume (m³)
Volume (yd³)
Weight (tonnes)
Truck loads (20-ton)

Different materials compact and weigh differently, so a generic volume estimate isn't enough. Select your aggregate type — road base, drainage rock, sand, gravel, or topsoil — and get a tonnage estimate matched to its typical density. This calculator works out the quantity you need from an area and depth. If you already know your quantity and just need to convert between units, use the Aggregate Conversion Calculator instead.

Formula Used

Volume = Length × Width × Depth
Weight (tonnes) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) ÷ 1000
Truck Loads = Weight ÷ 20 tons (rounded up)

Densities used: Road Base 1800, Drainage Rock 1600, Sand 1700, Gravel 1650, Topsoil 1200 kg/m³. These are typical loose values — verify with your supplier for a specific product, since moisture and gradation shift the real number.

Worked Example

A driveway 20 m long, 4 m wide, 150 mm of gravel (1650 kg/m³):

Volume = 20 × 4 × 0.15 = 12 m³
Weight = 12 × 1650 ÷ 1000 = 19.8 tonnes
Truck Loads = 19.8 ÷ 20 = 1 load

When to Use This Calculator

Use this to estimate how much gravel, base, sand, or topsoil to order for a driveway, road base, backfill, or drainage layer — and roughly how many truck loads that is.

When Not to Use This Calculator

This is a quantity estimate, not a compaction or conversion tool. For documenting field compaction test results use the Compaction Report tool, and to convert an already-known quantity between units use the Aggregate Conversion Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which aggregate types are supported?

Road base, drainage rock, sand, gravel, and topsoil, each with its own density factor.

Is this the same as the Aggregate Conversion Calculator?

No — this calculates the material quantity you need from an area and depth. The Aggregate Conversion Calculator converts a known quantity between units.

Is this the same as the compaction report tool?

No — this calculates material quantity; the Compaction Report tool documents field compaction test results.