Estimix

Gravel base calculator: ft³, yd³, tons, and optional $/ton

Spread jobs are often takeoffs in square feet and a design lift in inches. This tool returns geometric cubic feet, cubic yards, and—once you set a bank or loose dry density in pounds per cubic foot—an approximate short-ton line you can line up to quotes. Tapers, ruts, and stockpile moisture are still field adjustments.

Calculator inputs

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Results (live)

Cubic feet (ft³)
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Cubic yards (yd³)
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Estimated US short tons
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Estimated material cost (from $/ton)
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Enter a placement area, layer thickness, and a positive bulk density (lb/ft³) to see volume, tons, and optional material cost.

Formula and units

Depth in feet is (thickness in inches) ÷ 12. Volume in cubic feet is area (ft²) × depth (ft). Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27. Estimated US short tons = (cubic feet × bulk density in lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000. If you enter a $/ton rate, estimated cost = tons × that rate. Densities change with gradation, moisture, and compaction; use a quarry sheet or a tested value when money is on the line.

Example calculation

2,000 ft² at 6 in compacted depth is 2,000 × (6/12) = 1,000 ft³, about 37.04 yd³. At 120 lb/ft³ in-place bulk density, that is (1,000 × 120) ÷ 2,000 = 60 short tons. If crushed stone is $32/ton in your market, the material line is about $1,920 before haul.

Cost explanation

The $/ton field should match the basis on your tickets: some pits quote dry, others quote loaded with moisture. This page does not apply shrink/swell, fluffs from handling, or minimum truck charges—bake those into the notes on your submittal, not a hidden percent here.

Common mistakes

  • Using structural fill rules on open-graded base

    AASHTO and owner specs can change minimum lifts and test frequency. The geometry is still L × W × t; the inspection burden is not.

  • Converting yd³ to tons on a single generic factor

    130 lb/ft³ and 95 lb/ft³ are not interchangeable. A wrong density is a wrong PO—match the product line and moisture window you are actually buying.

  • Ignoring edge thickening and tie-ins

    Staking only the net mat misses crown build, shoulder tie, and superelevation. For bid-grade work, add those areas in your CAD or add a line-item allowance.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this compacted, loose, or bank volume?

    The geometry is a simple prism: whatever thickness you type is applied uniformly. Whether your density is loose on the truck, bank in the cut, or compacted in place must match the number you type—this tool will not second-guess a geotech.

  • Do I add a compaction factor to depth?

    For budget passes, you can model design thickness directly. If your spec has a % compaction relative to a Proctor, adjust the thickness in your takeoff, not a mystery multiplier hidden in this box.

  • Do I add moisture and degradation here?

    This layer is geometric plus one density. Wet tons and fine loss belong in a separate allowance your estimator tracks against tickets and field checks.