Calculate gravel volume, weight, and cost for driveways, paths, landscaping, and construction projects.
Gravel Calculations:
Total Area: 600.0 sq ft
Total Volume: 5.56 cubic yards | 150.0 cubic feet
With Compaction: 6.67 cubic yards
Weight and Quantity:
Total Weight: 10.0 tons | 20,000 lbs
Dump Truck Loads: 1 loads (10-ton capacity)
Cost Breakdown:
Material Cost: $250.00
Delivery Fee: $75.00
Total Project Cost: $325.00
Cost per Square Foot: $0.54
Installation Guidelines:
Base Preparation: Excavate 4-6 inches, compact subgrade
Installation Method: Spread evenly, compact in 2-inch lifts
Drainage: Ensure 2% slope for water runoff
Granular Material Sizing & Installation Framework
Primary Formulae
- Volume (ft³) = Area (ft²) × (Depth in / 12)
- Yards = ft³ ÷ 27 • Tons = Yards × MaterialDensity (1.2–1.6)
- Compacted Requirement = Loose Volume × (1 + Compaction %)
Density Reference (Tons/Yd³)
- Pea: 1.30 • River Rock: 1.20 • Crushed Stone: 1.45 • DG: 1.40 • Limestone: 1.50
Depth Guidelines
- Paths / Walkways: 2–3"
- Driveways (residential top layer): 3–4" over compacted base
- Drainage Trench: 6–12" (washed angular)
Layering Strategy
- Subgrade compacted (95% Proctor target)
- Separation fabric for soft soils to prevent pumping
- Base lift (angular) → Surface decorative (if used)
Cost Control Levers
- Source radius & trucking lanes define bulk price
- Full truck loads (10–15 tons) reduce per‑ton rate
- Consolidate deliveries with adjacent projects
Drainage & Performance Flags
- Ponding → Insufficient grade (target 2% crossfall)
- Migration / edge spread → Missing restraint
- Rutting (vehicular) → Base thickness deficiency
Maintenance Cycle
- Annual top‑off: 5–10% volume (traffic dispersion)
- Seasonal weed suppression (pre‑emergent or fabric)
- Regrade after freeze‑thaw uplift
Quick FAQ
- Rounded vs angular? Angular interlocks (load paths), rounded improves drainage & aesthetics.
- Can I skip fabric? Not on clay / saturated subgrades.
- Compaction? Plate compact in ≤3" lifts for structural layers.
Tip: Re‑measure actual delivered pile (cone volume) when verifying supplier yardage.