Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel, sand, or stone you need in cubic metres and tonnes. Supports multiple material types with accurate SA densities.
Quick Calculator Get a fast estimate
m
m
m
e.g. 0.1m = 100mm depth
%
Volume Required
3,3 m³
Weight
4,95 tonnes
Area
30 m²
Depth
100 mm
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How to Use This Calculator
Enter area dimensions and depth, select material type, and add a waste factor. The calculator returns volume in m³ and weight in tonnes — both useful when ordering from a SA aggregate supplier.
Gravel Calculation Formula
Volume (m³) = Length × Width × Depth × (1 + Waste%)
Weight (tonnes) = Volume × Density (t/m³)
Material densities: G5 crushed stone ≈ 1.5 t/m³ | River sand ≈ 1.8 t/m³ | Pea gravel ≈ 1.6 t/m³.
Need more detail?
Extended Calculator More options, charts, and scenario comparison
Recommended: 150mm depth, 15% compaction
m
m
m
%
%
Volume Required (with compaction)
14.49 m³
Base Volume
12.00 m³
Total Tons
21.73 tons
Estimated Cost
R 3 912
Volume: 14.49 m³
Material Type Comparison
| Material | Tons | Price/ton | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| G5 Crushed Stone | 21.73 t | R 180 | R 3 912 |
| G7 Gravel | 20.29 t | R 160 | R 3 246 |
| Pea Gravel | 23.18 t | R 240 | R 5 564 |
| River Sand | 26.08 t | R 200 | R 5 216 |
| Crusher Run | 22.46 t | R 155 | R 3 481 |
Example Calculation
Gravel Driveway — 20m × 4m × 75mm
Volume = 20 × 4 × 0.075 = 6 m³. With 10% waste = 6.6 m³.
Weight = 6.6 × 1.5 = 9.9 tonnes. Order: 7 m³ or 10 tonnes.
SA Gravel Depth Recommendations
| Application | Recommended Depth | Compaction |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative garden path | 40–50mm | None required |
| Light vehicle driveway | 75–100mm | 10–15% |
| Regular vehicle driveway | 100–150mm | 15–20% |
| Foundation sub-base | 150–250mm | 20–25% |
| Drainage layer | 200–300mm | None (free draining) |
Need full precision?
Professional Calculator Complete parameters, sensitivity analysis, and detailed breakdown
Project Parameters
%
%
%
tons
R/ton
R
Coverage Areas
| Area | L×W (m) | Depth (m) | Volume m³ | Tons | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| × | 14.49 m³ | 21.73 t | R 3 912 | |||
| × | 1.74 m³ | 2.61 t | R 469 | |||
| Total | 16.23 m³ | 24.34 t | R 4 382 |
Total Project Cost
R 6 782
Material Cost
R 4 382
Delivery (3 loads)
R 2 400
Total Tons
24.34 tons
Drainage Calculation
mm/hr
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Surface Area | 98.00 m² |
| Rainfall Intensity | 12 mm/hr |
| Peak Runoff Capacity | 1.18 m³/hr |
| Typical SA Summer Storm | 40–80 mm/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
For light vehicle use: 50–75mm gravel on a compacted sub-base. For regular traffic: 100mm gravel on a 150mm compacted sub-base. The total depth including sub-base should be 200–250mm for a durable driveway.
G5 crushed stone: R180–R220/tonne. Pea gravel (decorative): R240–R300/tonne. River sand: R180–R220/tonne. Delivery adds R100–R300 per load depending on distance. Bulk orders of 5+ tonnes usually get better pricing.
19mm G5 crushed stone is the most common choice — it compacts well and provides good drainage. Fine gravel (9.5mm) is better for pathways. Larger stones (38mm) are used for drainage sub-bases.
Aggregate is sold by the cubic metre (m³) or by the tonne. Small quantities are available in 25–50 kg bags from hardware stores. For larger quantities, contact a local quarry — many offer delivery with a tipper truck for a minimum of 1–2 m³.