About the Aggregate Calculator
Aggregate is the general name for granular materials such as gravel, sand, crushed stone, crusher run and recycled concrete. They are measured in different ways depending on who is selling them. Quarries weigh trucks and sell by the ton; landscape yards often sell by the cubic yard; UK and European suppliers quote tonnes and cubic metres. Plans and calculators usually give a volume. Moving between these units needs one extra fact: how much a cubic yard of that particular material weighs.
This aggregate calculator converts an amount of a chosen material between cubic yards, US tons, cubic metres and metric tonnes. Pick the material, enter the amount and its unit, and it gives the same quantity in every unit along with the density used, so you can compare quotes or turn a volume from another calculator into an order.
How to Use the Aggregate Calculator
Choose the material.
Enter the amount and choose the unit it is in: cubic yards, US tons, cubic metres or tonnes.
The Formulas
cubic yards = tons ÷ density
tons = cubic yards × density
cubic metres = cubic yards ÷ 1.308
tonnes = tons × 0.907Densities used, in tons per loose cubic yard: gravel 1.4, crushed stone 1.35, sand 1.35, crusher run 1.5, crushed concrete 1.2 and topsoil 1.1.
Step-by-Step Example
Ten US tons of gravel.
yards 10 ÷ 1.4 = 7.14 yd³
pounds 10 × 2,000 = 20,000 lb
metres 7.14 ÷ 1.308 = 5.46 m³
tonnes 10 × 0.907 = 9.07 t
density 1.4 t/yd³ ≈ 1.66 t/m³At 3 inches deep, those 7.14 yards cover about 770 square feet.
Why Density Changes Everything
A cubic yard is the same space whatever fills it, but the weight depends on the material. Rocks are dense, but the gaps between pieces are full of air, so a pile of clean stone weighs much less than a solid block of the same rock. Materials with a range of sizes, such as crusher run, pack those gaps with smaller pieces and weigh more. Sand is fine but full of tiny pores, and topsoil contains organic matter and air, which makes it the lightest of the common materials. Moisture adds weight too: wet sand can be 10 to 20% heavier than dry.
Tons and Tonnes
The US ton, or short ton, is 2,000 pounds. The metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, about 2,205 pounds, so a tonne is roughly 10% heavier. The British long ton of 2,240 pounds is rarely used for aggregates today. When comparing prices from different countries or suppliers, check which one is meant, because the difference adds up on large orders.
Converting a Volume into an Order
Most project calculators, including the gravel, sand and topsoil calculators on this site, give a volume from length, width and depth. If your supplier sells by weight, enter that volume here in cubic yards or cubic metres and read off the tons. If they sell by volume but you have a tonnage from a plan, convert the other way. It is good practice to ask the supplier for their own density figure, because the stone from one quarry can be noticeably heavier or lighter than another's.
Truck and Trailer Limits
Converting to weight also tells you whether a load is safe to carry. A full-size pickup can typically carry about a ton, which is under a yard of gravel. Small dump trailers often carry two to five tons. Tandem dump trucks carry about fifteen tons and tri-axles about twenty. Overloading a vehicle damages brakes, tyres and suspension and can break the law, so check payload ratings before loading.
Loose, Bank and Compacted Volumes
Earthworks use three volumes. Bank volume is material in the ground before it is dug. Loose volume is the same material after digging, when it has swelled with air. Compacted volume is what remains after rolling. The densities here are loose figures, which match how aggregates are delivered and spread.
Common Materials Compared
Gravel and crushed stone are the workhorses for paths, drives and drainage. Sand is used for bedding pavers, mixing mortar and concrete, and filling joints. Crusher run, with its fines, is the usual compacted base. Crushed concrete is a cheaper, lighter recycled alternative for bases and fill. Topsoil is the lightest of the group and is used for lawns and planting beds. Because each has a different density, ten tons of topsoil is a much larger pile than ten tons of crusher run: about 9.1 cubic yards against 6.7.
Checking a Quote
Converting every quote into the same unit is the simplest way to compare suppliers. A yard that charges per cubic yard may look dearer than a quarry charging per ton, until you realise a ton of that material is only about three quarters of a yard. Convert both to a price per cubic yard of finished volume, then add delivery, and the cheaper option is clear.
Understanding Your Result
The headline repeats the amount you entered.
The US units line gives cubic yards, tons and pounds.
The metric line gives cubic metres and tonnes.
The density used line shows the figure behind the conversion.
When Should You Use This Calculator?
Use it when a quote is in tons but your plan is in yards, or the reverse.
Use it to convert a UK or European quote in tonnes and cubic metres.
Use it to check whether a load fits your truck or trailer.
Common Mistakes
Assuming a ton equals a yard. Most aggregates weigh more than a ton per yard.
Using one density for every material. Topsoil and crusher run differ by 40%.
Mixing up tons and tonnes. A tonne is about 10% heavier.
Ignoring moisture. Wet material weighs more.