calcs.homes
calcs.homes
Enter your area, target compacted depth, and a compaction allowance to find tons of aggregate base material to order — with an editable density if your material differs from the default.
Estimate only — order the loose (pre-compaction) volume shown above.
We multiply length × width × compacted depth to get cubic feet, then add your compaction allowance on top — a 20% allowance means we price out volume for 120% of the compacted cubic footage. That loose volume converts to cubic yards (27 cu ft each), multiplies by your material's density (1.4 ton/cu yd by default) to get tons, then multiplies by price per ton for cost.
Aggregate arrives loose and settles once it's spread, rolled, or tamped — a 6 in compacted base might start as 7-7.5 in of loose material, typically losing 15-25% of its volume in the process. Ordering only the compacted volume leaves you short on-site. The compaction allowance, plus an editable density field since crushed stone, gravel, and recycled aggregate all pack to different weights, gets your order closer to what a supplier actually needs to deliver.
15-25% is typical, depending on the material's gradation and how thoroughly it's compacted — well-graded crushed stone with a range of particle sizes compacts more than uniform, single-size aggregate.
This tool adds a compaction allowance and lets you enter a custom density, making it better suited to base-layer aggregate under a slab or pavement. For simple decorative gravel or driveway topping, see the gravel calculator.