Stone, Gravel, and Sand Calculator

This stone calculator is built to give fast, realistic estimates for landscaping, construction, and hardscape projects. Whether you are installing a driveway base, patio foundation, walkway, drainage trench, or decorative stone bed, accurate material calculations save time, money, and unnecessary hauling.

Unlike simple calculators that rely on fixed assumptions, this tool allows you to calculate stone requirements using dimensions, surface area, or known volume, then converts the result into both cubic yards and tons based on the selected material type.

What This Calculator Measures

• Total volume of material required (cubic yards)
• Approximate weight based on material density (tons)
• Estimated cost if a price per ton or per cubic yard is entered

Because stone products vary in density depending on size, moisture, and compaction, results are designed to reflect real-world averages, not lab-perfect numbers.

Calculation Methods

1. Length, Width, and Depth

Use this option when you know the exact dimensions of the area being filled.

Common examples:

• Driveways
• Rectangular patios
• Garden beds
• Trench backfill

2. Area and Depth

This option works best when the surface area is already known.

Common examples:

• Irregular-shaped patios
• Excavated zones measured from plans
• Projects where square footage is available

You only need to enter total area and material depth.

3. Volume

If you already know the material volume (for example, from architectural plans or supplier recommendations), this option allows direct conversion into cubic yards and tons.

Material Types and Density Factors

Stone weight varies significantly depending on composition and size.

Typical material densities used:

• Crushed stone (¼” – 2″): approx. 1.4 tons per cubic yard
• Gravel (¾” – 2″): approx. 1.35 tons per cubic yard
• Large rock and stone (2″ – 6″): approx. 1.5 tons per cubic yard
• Dry sand: approx. 1.3 tons per cubic yard
• Wet sand: approx. 1.5 tons per cubic yard

Actual delivered weight may vary slightly due to moisture content, fines, and compaction during transport.

Recommended Depths for Common Projects

Typical guidelines:

• Walkways: 2–3 inches
• Decorative stone beds: 2–4 inches
• Patios and pavers (base layer): 4–6 inches
• Driveways (base): 6–8 inches
• Drainage trenches: Varies by application

For load-bearing surfaces such as driveways, compacting the base layer is critical. Always account for compaction when ordering materials.

Cubic Yards vs Tons

Suppliers often sell aggregate by the ton, while project measurements are usually in feet or yards. This calculator bridges that gap.

• Cubic yards measure volume
• Tons measure weight.

Estimating Material Cost

You can optionally enter a price per ton or per cubic yard to estimate total material cost. This helps compare supplier quotes and plan budgets more accurately.

Keep in mind:

• Delivery fees are usually separate
• Prices vary by region and season
• Bulk orders may qualify for discounts.

Should You Order Extra Material

Yes. In most cases, ordering 5–10% extra is recommended to account for:

• Uneven ground
• Compaction loss
• Spillage during installation
• Minor measurement inaccuracies

Running short often costs more than ordering slightly extra due to additional delivery fees.

FAQs

Q1. How accurate is this stone calculator?

A: It provides practical, industry-standard estimates suitable for planning and purchasing. Actual usage may vary slightly based on compaction and site conditions.

Q2. Can I use this for gravel driveways?

A: Yes. Select the gravel material option and enter the driveway dimensions and base depth.

Q3. Why do wet materials weigh more?

A: Moisture increases density, which raises total weight. This is especially noticeable with sand.

Q4. Do I need to compact the stone?

A: For load-bearing projects, compaction is essential. Decorative applications may not require compaction.