Material calculator
Work out how much sand, road base or crushed asphalt your job needs, in tonnes and cubic metres. Guide only: we confirm every order before it is delivered.
Conditions
Effective density 1.70 t/m³dry and loose
How to use it
Three steps
- Measure the job
Pace out or tape the length and width in metres, or use the area if you already know it. Depth is in millimetres: a driveway topping is thin, a pad is deep.
- Pick the material and its condition
Not sure which material? The list under the calculator says what each one is for. The density fills in for you. Damp or wet material weighs more, and a layer you will roll takes about 15% more, so set the conditions to match the job.
- Read the tonnes
That is the amount to order. Keep the 10% allowance on for spillage and waste, then send it to us and we will confirm it and quote supply and delivery.
Which material?
What each one is for
Densities are tonnes per loose cubic metre, the figures the calculator uses.
Driveways, hardstands, crossovers and side access. Rolled properly it looks like hot mix.
The base under a driveway or hardstand, or a driveway on its own. Compacts hard.
House and shed pads, backfill behind retaining walls, under paving. Set Moisture to damp or wet if the stockpile is.
Bulk fill to raise or level a block.
Rural driveways, firebreaks and access tracks.
Driveways and hardstands; a recycled alternative to road base.
Rural drives, tracks and parking areas.
Drainage, soakwell surrounds and pipe bedding.
Bedding under pavers and around pools.
Lawn preparation and garden beds.
Garden beds and around trees.
How deep?
Typical depths, as a rough guide
| Driveway topping (crushed asphalt, gravel) | 50 to 100 mm |
| Road base under a driveway or hardstand | 100 to 150 mm |
| Lawn preparation (topsoil) | 50 to 100 mm |
| Paving bed (cracker dust) | 30 to 50 mm |
| House or shed pad (sand) | As the plan says; often 300 mm and more |
Good to know
Before you order
- Suppliers sell by the tonne, so the tonnes figure is the one to order. The cubic metres help you picture the load: a tipper of road base is around two cubic metres per four tonnes.
- Rolling a layer? Set Compaction to Compacted: a 100 mm compacted layer of road base takes about 15% more material than the loose figure. The allowance is for spillage and waste on top of that.
- Rather we measured it? Send a photo of the site and a rough size and we will come back with the quantity and a price.
Get in touch
Want us to measure it?
Send a photo of the site and a rough size. We will come back with the quantity and a price for supply and delivery.