Bidcore | Free tools | Pricing
Gravel and base stone calculator
How many tons of stone do you need? Enter the area and the depth. You get cubic yards, tons with an allowance for compaction, and truckloads, with every step shown.
Common questions
How many tons of gravel or base stone do I need?
Find the volume, then convert to weight. Area in square feet times depth in inches, divided by 12, gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 1,000 square foot area that is 4 inches deep is 12.3 cubic yards, or about 17 tons.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Crushed stone and gravel usually weigh between 1.3 and 1.5 tons per cubic yard. It varies with the type of stone, how it is graded and how wet it is. Your supplier can tell you the number for the material you are buying.
Why order extra?
Base stone that gets compacted ends up denser than it was delivered, so you need more loose material than the finished volume. Add waste from grading and the truck. Ten to fifteen percent is a common allowance for compacted base.
How deep should the base be?
Your plans or specifications decide the depth, and it depends on the soil, the traffic and what goes on top. This calculator works out the quantity for the depth you give it. It does not choose the depth.
How many tons does a truck carry?
It depends on the truck and local weight limits. A tandem dump commonly hauls about 12 to 15 tons of stone and a tri-axle more. Ask your hauler for the load size they run.
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