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.

Where to measure the work area

Split an irregular area into non-overlapping rectangles. Enter the depth being added. Required depth and base preparation need separate assessment.

Example measurements — starting values demonstrate the calculator. Replace every measurement that differs from your property.

These are the measurements I want to use.

Measure

Project area

Length

Width

Depth to spread, before compaction

Enter the depth being added, not material already present.

Repeated areas and example depths — optional

Number of equal areas

areas

Use the additional-sections control below for different lengths, widths or depths.

Project type

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

Add different-size sections

Keep areas separate and avoid counting an overlap twice. Depth is ignored for sod and pine-straw coverage.

Add supplier pricing — optional

Price unit

Material price

$/ton

Delivery charge

Leave price at zero for quantities only. A zero entry means the price is unknown.

Adjust allowance, density and coverage

Planning allowance

Loose delivery factor

Leave at 1 for depth before compaction. If you enter a finished compacted depth instead, use the supplier’s confirmed loose-volume factor.

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.

View current result

Example estimate — measurements not confirmed

Gravel / crusher run

Current editable assumptions: 10% planning allowance; 1× loose-volume factor; 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard. Change these under Adjust allowance, density and coverage when supplier or field information is available.

Both gravel tools start with 10% allowance and 1.5 US tons per loose cubic yard. This tool rounds an order up to 0.25 yd³, then 0.5 ton; the driveway tool shows unrounded quantities. Use the same depth, density and allowance to compare. Neither supplies a required construction depth.

Area

720 sq ft

Measured volume

8.89 yd³

4 in entered depth

Planning order

10 yd³

Includes 10% allowance × 1 loose factor; rounded to 0.25 yd³

Estimated order weight

15 tons

Using 1.5 tons per loose yd³

MOSS & SONS FIELD LIBRARY — MATERIAL PLANNING ESTIMATE
EXAMPLE — starter measurements have not been confirmed.
Material: Gravel / crusher run
Project type: new installation
Total area: 720 sq ft. Base: 60 ft × 12 ft × 1 equal area; 0 additional sections.
Base depth: 4 in; additional section depths listed above.
Measured volume: 8.89 cu yd
Planning order: 10 cu yd
Cubic-yard rounding: up to the next 0.25 cu yd
Allowance: 10%
Loose-volume factor: 1× (editable; 1.00× applies no added loose-volume conversion)
Estimated order weight: 15 tons using 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard
Planning estimate only. Confirm field dimensions, product coverage or density, supplier minimum, and sale increment before ordering.

Review packet

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

Compare two planning options

Set the calculator for the first option and save A. Change the inputs, then save B. These snapshots stay on this page until it is closed.

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.

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.