Commercial Gravel, Crushed Stone & Asphalt Tonnage Calculator
Converts excavation surface area and compacted depth into exact commercial tons, cubic yards, and tri-axle dump truck deliveries based on material specific gravity and compaction percentages.
1. Excavation Footprint & Compacted Depth
2. Quarry Material & Compaction Allowance
Quarry Material Densities & Compaction Multiplier Chart
Authoritative industry reference data complying with AASHTO Soil Classification & Aggregate Specifications / ASTM D698 Standard Proctor Compaction.
| Material Type | Tons / Cubic Yard | Lbs / Cubic Foot | Compaction Factor | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Limestone / #57 Stone | 1.40 tons/yd³ | 104 lbs/ft³ | 15% compaction | Concrete slab sub-base, driveways, drainage |
| Crusher Run / Road Base (DGA) | 1.50 tons/yd³ | 111 lbs/ft³ | 20% compaction | High-traffic commercial roadways, parking lots |
| Pea Gravel (Round 3/8") | 1.35 tons/yd³ | 100 lbs/ft³ | 10% compaction | Walkways, pipe bedding, decorative groundcover |
| Concrete Sand (ASTM C33) | 1.35 tons/yd³ | 100 lbs/ft³ | 12% compaction | Paver base bedding, mason sand mortar mix |
| Hot-Mix Asphalt (Compacted) | 1.45 tons/yd³ | 107 lbs/ft³ | 18% compaction | Driveway surface, commercial parking paving |
| Screened Topsoil | 1.10 tons/yd³ | 81 lbs/ft³ | 15% settlement | Final grading, lawn seeding, sod base |
Transparent Engineering & Takeoff Formulas
Mathematical logic, material density constants, and waste multipliers used in this calculator.
1. Loose Volume in Cubic Yards
Loose_Yards = ((Length × Width × (Depth_Inches ÷ 12)) ÷ 27) × (1 + Compaction_Pct / 100)Calculates true volume needed accounting for subgrade settling under plate compactor.
2. Total Order Tonnage
Total_Tons = round(Loose_Yards × Material_Density_Tons_Per_CuYd, 2)Quarries bill by the short ton (2,000 lbs) weighed on certified truck scales.
3. Tri-Axle Dump Truck Loads
Truck_Loads = ceil(Total_Tons ÷ 18)Commercial tri-axle highway dump trucks carry approximately 18 to 20 tons of aggregate legally.
Frequently Asked Commercial Takeoff Questions
Answering high-intent contractor questions on specifications, sizing, and code requirements.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard of typical crushed stone or gravel (#57 stone / crushed limestone) weighs between 1.35 and 1.45 tons (approximately 2,700 to 2,900 pounds). For clean pea gravel or coarse sand, 1.35 tons/cu yd is standard.
How much gravel fits in a dump truck?
A standard tri-axle commercial dump truck carries approximately 12 to 14 cubic yards, which equates to 18 to 20 tons of gravel. A smaller single-axle dump truck carries 5 to 6 tons.
Why must a compaction factor be added for gravel and asphalt?
Vibratory plate compactors compress loose aggregates by 12% to 20% to lock particles together for a solid base. Failing to factor in a 15% compaction allowance leaves the subgrade short of specified elevation.
How deep should a gravel driveway or slab base be?
A typical residential driveway or concrete slab sub-base requires 4 inches of compacted #57 stone over geotextile fabric. Commercial heavy-truck access roads require 8 to 12 inches of compacted crusher-run base.
What is the density of Hot-Mix Asphalt?
Commercial Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) weighs approximately 1.45 tons per cubic yard (145 lbs per cubic foot), compacted.
Complete Your Job Takeoff — Next Phases
Sequentially calculate adjacent phases and combine all items into your Master Project Takeoff Cart.