Construction desk
Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel volume with compaction and waste allowances.
Gravel Calculator: Estimate loose gravel volume for a rectangular area at an intended installed depth. Separate compaction and waste inputs let you add material for volume change and handling losses. The result shows the allowance-adjusted loose volume and an order rounded upwards to a tenth of a cubic yard; it does not calculate tonnes. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
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Gravel to order (estimate)
3 cu yd
- Covered area (estimate)
- 200 sq ft
- Estimated loose volume
- 2.96 cu yd
Order yd³ = length × width × depth ÷ 27 × (1 + compaction + waste)- Every result is an estimate; verify surface preparation, measurements, and local practices before ordering.
- Allow for the stated waste and product-coverage assumptions; openings are deducted only where requested.
- Compaction, settling, substrate condition, cuts, and installation method can change actual quantities.
Formula and worked example
Order yd³ = length × width × depth ÷ 27 × (1 + compaction + waste)
A worked example with sample values:
| Inputs | |
|---|---|
| Length | 20 ft |
| Width | 10 ft |
| Depth | 4 in |
| Compaction allowance | 15% |
| Waste allowance | 5% |
| Results | |
|---|---|
| Covered area | 200 sq ft |
| Estimated loose volume | 2.96 cu yd |
| Gravel to order (estimate) | 3 cu yd |
Installed depth to loose volume
Let L and W be feet, D installed depth in inches, c compaction allowance in percent and w handling waste in percent. Geometric volume B = L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27 yd³. Loose volume V = B × (1 + (c + w) ÷ 100). The order rounds V upwards in 0.1 yd³ steps.
A 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 in depth gives B = 200 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 2.469136 yd³. With illustrative c = 15% and w = 5%, V = 2.469136 × 1.20 = 2.962963 yd³. The loose estimate displays 2.96 yd³ and the order is 3.0 yd³. These percentages are sample assumptions, not standard compaction factors.
Bulk and bagged aggregate
The NIST conversion reference (https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors/nist-guide-si-appendix-b8) gives approximately 0.7645549 m³ per yd³. A 3.0 yd³ order therefore corresponds to about 2.294 m³. Divide the yard quantity by a bag's stated yd³ yield, or convert it to ft³ before using an ft³ bag label.
For varying depth, measure separate sections rather than applying the deepest point to the entire area. The estimate assumes a uniform layer and does not include excavation, drainage features or additional base courses. Match the loose order basis to the supplier's volume basis before comparing bulk material with bags.
How to use it
- Enter measurements using the units shown beside each field.
- Choose the product coverage and allowances for your measured job.
- Calculate, then compare the rounded quantity with your layout and product label.
Privacy & limitations
Inputs and calculations stay in your browser. No values are uploaded.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the gravel compaction percentage a measured shrinkage ratio?
No. Here it is extra loose material expressed as a percentage of the geometric installed volume. A 15% input multiplies that base by an added 0.15. If a specification describes a fraction lost during compaction, translating it to an order allowance may require a different calculation.
Can I convert the gravel result directly into tonnes?
Only with a suitable bulk density for the actual aggregate and its condition. Moisture, grading and packing affect the volume-to-mass relationship. Ask for the supplied density and the correct tonne or ton unit; a single generic weight per cubic yard would be misleading.
Are compaction and waste multiplied one after another?
No. Both percentages are added to the same base volume. Example inputs of 15% compaction and 5% waste give a factor of 1.20, not 1.15 × 1.05. Replace the example allowances using your material specification; check the product label for bagged aggregate.
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