Aggregate Calculator

1. Choose the project shape. Select rectangle for most driveways, patios, and paths. Use circle for fire pits, tree rings, or round garden beds. Use "Total area" if you already know the square footage.
2. Enter your dimensions. Measure length and width in feet. For depth, most aggregate projects use inches (2 in for landscape cover, 4 in for walkways, 6 in for driveway base).
3. Select the material type. Choose the aggregate closest to what you're ordering. If your supplier gives you a specific density in tons per cubic yard, use "Custom density" and enter their number.
4. Set the waste factor. 10% is a safe default for most projects. Uneven subgrade, wheelbarrow spillage, and compaction all consume more material than the exact math predicts.
5. Review your results. The aggregate calculator shows cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, and the waste-adjusted order quantity. Use cubic yards or tons when calling your supplier for a quote.

Pro tip: Round your order up slightly for base layers. Running short means a second delivery fee, and thin spots settle into low points after compaction.

This aggregate calculator uses three steps: area, volume, and weight. Each step builds on the previous one so you can trace exactly how cubic feet become tons.

Volume:

Cubic feet = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft)

Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27

Weight:

Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per cubic yard)

With waste:

Order quantity = Base result × (1 + Waste % / 100)

Variables:

• Area = project surface in square feet (length × width for rectangles, π × radius² for circles)
• Depth = material thickness in feet (divide inches by 12)
• Density = weight of one cubic yard of your material in tons
• Waste factor = percentage added for compaction, spreading loss, and uneven ground

Density reference:

Example:

A driveway base measures 20 ft × 30 ft at 6 inches deep, using aggregate base material.

• Area = 20 × 30 = 600 sq ft
• Depth in feet = 6 / 12 = 0.5 ft
• Cubic feet = 600 × 0.5 = 300 ft³
• Cubic yards = 300 / 27 = 11.11 yd³
• Tons = 11.11 × 1.5 = 16.67 tons
• With 10% waste = 18.33 tons (order quantity)

Most suppliers deliver in full truckloads (about 22 to 25 tons), so this project fits in a single delivery. Use the aggregate calculator above to run your own numbers with different depths and materials.

Assumptions:

• The project area has straight sides and uniform depth
• Density values are dry-weight averages. Wet aggregate weighs more, but suppliers price by dry weight
• Compaction reduces loose volume by 10% to 15%. The waste factor accounts for this
• For L-shaped or irregular areas, split into rectangles, calculate each one, then add the results