Project tools

Material Calculator

One calculator for common outdoor materials. The measured quantity, planning allowance, supplier conversion, and rounded order stay visible.

Tool entries stay here unless you choose to share or submit them.

Measure

Project area

Length

Width

Number of equal areas

areas

For different-size beds or sections, calculate each separately and add the planning amounts.

Project type

This changes only the starter depth. The depth remains editable and is not design advice.

Finished / placed depth

Enter the depth being added, not material already present.

Add more detail

Planning allowance

Loose delivery factor

Starter assumption for converting finished compacted volume to loose delivered volume. Replace it with supplier or project information when available.

Estimate tons

Supplier tons per loose cubic yard

tons/yd³

Editable starter value only. Replace it with the supplier's conversion for the exact material.

Optional material price

$/ton

Optional delivery charge

View current result ↓

Planning estimate

Gravel / crusher run

Current editable assumptions: 5% planning allowance; 1× loose-volume factor; 1.4 tons per loose cubic yard. Change these under Add more detail when supplier or field information is available.

Area

720 sq ft

Measured volume

8.89 yd³

4 in entered depth

Planning order

9.5 yd³

Includes 5% allowance × 1 loose factor; rounded to 0.25 yd³

Estimated order weight

13.5 tons

Using 1.4 tons per loose yd³

MOSS & SONS FIELD LIBRARY — MATERIAL PLANNING ESTIMATE
Material: Gravel / crusher run
Project type: new installation
Area: 720 sq ft (60 ft × 12 ft × 1 equal area)
Depth: 4 in
Measured volume: 8.89 cu yd
Planning order: 9.5 cu yd
Cubic-yard rounding: up to the next 0.25 cu yd
Allowance: 5%
Loose-volume factor: 1× (editable; 1.00× applies no added loose-volume conversion)
Estimated order weight: 13.5 tons using 1.4 tons per loose cubic yard
Planning estimate only. Confirm field dimensions, product coverage or density, supplier minimum, and sale increment before ordering.

Copy, print, and share run only when you choose them. Sharing sends this summary to the app or person you select.

Actual quantities can change with field measurements, soft base, grade correction, compaction or settling, moisture, existing material, cutting waste, drainage failures, supplier packaging, and unsuitable soil. This is not a quote or engineered design.

This opens the existing Moss & Sons request form with the summary carried privately in this browser for up to 30 minutes. Your tool summary is not sent to Moss & Sons unless you review and submit that form. The site records a general button-use event without your measurements or notes.

Source & limits

Source: Washington State University Extension — Garden Math; editable supplier and project assumptions
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026
What this can tell you: Geometric area and volume from the measurements you enter, plus transparent editable allowance, loose-volume, density, bag, bale, and pallet assumptions.
What this cannot tell you: Required structural depth, subgrade condition, compaction specification, delivery access, exact density, or the final amount a supplier or contractor will require.