Gravel Tonnage
Calculator

Gravel and aggregate suppliers typically sell and price material by weight (tons), not volume, so converting your project's calculated volume into tonnage using the material's density lets you get an accurate quote and delivery order rather than guessing.

A common approximation is about 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed gravel, but density varies by material — sand, pea gravel, and crushed stone with different particle sizes and moisture content can range from roughly 1.2 to over 1.6 tons per cubic yard, so match the density to your specific material when possible.

Compaction is the main reason — gravel used as a sub-base or fill is typically compacted after placement, reducing its in-place volume by 10-20%, so you need to order enough loose material to still have adequate volume once it's been compacted to the specified depth.

Wet gravel weighs more than dry gravel for the same volume, so a supplier's stated density (and therefore the calculated tonnage) can shift somewhat with weather and stockpile conditions — this is a secondary factor compared to compaction, but worth a small buffer if ordering during wet weather.

Yes — a common practice is to add 10% to the calculated tonnage to account for spillage, uneven spreading, and minor depth variations, since running short mid-project typically means a costly, time-consuming second delivery for a small remaining amount.