
Getting a useful estimate
Compacted and loose volumes differ. Enter your own purchasing allowance; this tool does not assume a compaction factor.
Measure the space you need to fill. Rectangles use length and width; circles use diameter. For several sections, choose combined areas and add rectangles, then subtract exclusions. The final area must be greater than zero.
Check loose and compacted depths
Check whether the specified thickness describes the finished compacted layer or the loose material you need to order. The calculator uses area and depth, then adds the allowance you enter.
Ask for the stone grading and bulk density on the supplier’s technical sheet. Angular crushed stone and rounded decorative stone have different uses. Follow your contractor’s design for a driveway that carries vehicles.
Volume formula
Allowance applies once to each volume layer. No density or compaction factor is assumed. If buying by weight, enter the density for your supplier’s product in the units shown.
A worked example
An example 16-foot by 8-foot rectangle filled 4 inches deep needs 42.667 cubic feet, or 1.580247 cubic yards, without allowance. A 10% allowance gives 47 cubic feet. These are arithmetic examples, not recommended depths.
Buying and checking quantities
Enter the volume printed on a bag, or its mass alongside supplier density. Counts round up to full bags. Costs use the purchasing unit and price you enter. Delivery is separate; labor and installation are outside this estimate. Copy or print your list to check with your supplier.
Sources & what they cover
- NIST SI conversion factorsNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Exact US customary and SI conversion factors; no material or installation recommendations.
Source checked - Hard Rock Mix (3/4 inch)Gravelshop
One supplier’s angular crushed-stone product. Supplier ton convention is not inferred.
Source checked
We check what each reference covers. A source check does not mean a specialist has reviewed this tool. You supply the depths, densities, prices and blend proportions.