# Tonnage Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/construction/tonnage/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The tonnage calculator converts the area and depth of a fill job into US tons, metric tonnes and cubic yards for gravel, sand, soil, mulch and other bulk materials, and estimates the cost.

## Inputs

- Material
- Custom density (kg/m³, lb/ft³, g/cm³, lb/yd³)
- Area shape
- Length (or diameter) (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Width (ft, m, in, yd, cm)
- Depth (in, cm, mm, ft, m)
- Extra for waste and compaction (%)
- Priced by
- Price per weight (/US ton, /t, /lb, /kg)
- Price per volume (/yd³, /m³, /ft³)

## Results

- Area
- Volume needed
- Weight needed
- Estimated cost

## Formula

```
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste)
Weight = volume × density
Cost = weight × price per ton (or volume × price per yd³)
```

## Explanation

Trucks, scales and quarry invoices work in tons, but you measure a job in feet and inches. The tonnage calculator bridges the two: it finds the volume of the area you want to fill and converts it to short tons, metric tonnes, pounds and kilograms using the density of the material, from gravel and sand to topsoil and mulch.

### How to use the Tonnage Calculator

- **Material**
- **Custom density**
- **Area shape**
- **Length (or diameter)**
- **Width**
- **Depth**
- **Extra for waste and compaction**
- **Priced by**
- **Price per weight**
- **Price per volume**
- Every result field is editable: type into **Volume needed** or any other result and **Depth** plus every other field update to match.

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

The calculator finds the area of your rectangle, circle or triangle, multiplies it by the depth and adds the waste allowance to get the volume. Multiplying by the density of the chosen material gives the weight, and the price you enter turns either one into a cost.

### Densities used

Materialkg/m³lb/ft³US tons per yd³Gravel, loose, dry1,52295.01.28Gravel, dry ¼–2 in1,682105.01.42Gravel, wet ¼–2 in2,002125.01.69Pea gravel1,52094.91.28Crushed stone1,602100.01.35Gravel and sand, dry1,650103.01.39Gravel and sand, wet2,020126.11.70Gravel and clay1,60099.91.35River rock1,60099.91.35Limestone, crushed1,55497.01.31Granite, crushed1,650103.01.39Basalt, crushed1,954122.01.65Marble chips1,57098.01.32Road base (aggregate base course)2,243140.01.89Recycled concrete, crushed1,900118.61.60Asphalt millings1,30081.21.10Sand, dry1,602100.01.35Sand, wet1,922120.01.62Mason / play sand1,55096.81.31Concrete sand1,650103.01.39Sand with gravel, dry1,650103.01.39Sand with gravel, wet2,020126.11.70Topsoil, loose1,25078.01.05Earth, loam, dry1,24978.01.05Earth, packed1,52295.01.28Clay, dry1,08968.00.92Clay, wet1,826114.01.54Mulch (wood)33020.60.28Compost60037.50.51

### Good to know

A U.S. (short) ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb). Quarries in the U.S. sell by the short ton, so check which one your quote uses.

### Tips for an accurate estimate

- Sketch the job and split irregular areas into rectangles, circles and triangles before you measure.
- Add a waste allowance – typically 5–10% for simple layouts and 15–20% for diagonal, curved or heavily cut work.
- Check the coverage or yield printed on the product, because sizes and densities vary between manufacturers.
- Buy all units of a finished material (tile, brick, siding) from the same batch so colours match, and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Confirm local prices – quarry, lumber and steel prices vary widely by region and season.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Ordering exactly the calculated amount with no allowance for breakage, offcuts and settlement.
- Forgetting to subtract doors, windows and other openings – or subtracting small ones that still need cutting around.
- Confusing US short tons (2,000 lb) with metric tonnes (1,000 kg) when comparing quotes.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMaterialChoose one: Gravel, loose, dry, Gravel, dry ¼–2 in, Gravel, wet ¼–2 in, Pea gravel …Custom densityUnits: kg/m³, lb/ft³, g/cm³, lb/yd³Area shapeChoose one: Rectangle / square, Circle (length = diameter), Triangle (length = base, width = height)Length (or diameter)Units: ft, m, in, yd, cmWidthUnits: ft, m, in, yd, cmDepthUnits: in, cm, mm, ft, mExtra for waste and compactionIn %Priced byChoose one: Weight (per ton / tonne), Volume (per yd³ / m³)Price per weightUnits: /US ton, /t, /lb, /kgPrice per volumeUnits: /yd³, /m³, /ft³

## Worked example

Inputs — Material: Gravel, loose, dry; Custom density: 1,600 kg/m³; Area shape: Rectangle / square; Length (or diameter): 20 ft; Width: 10 ft; Depth: 4 in; Extra for waste and compaction: 10 %; Priced by: Weight (per ton / tonne); Price per weight: $45 /US ton; Price per volume: $60 /yd³.

Results — Area = 200 ft²; Volume needed = 2.716 yd³; **Weight needed = 3.484 US ton**; Estimated cost = $156.78.

## FAQ

**How do I convert cubic yards to tons?**
Multiply the cubic yards by the material's density in tons per cubic yard – about 1.4 for gravel, 1.35 for dry sand and 1.05 for topsoil.

**How many tons fit in a dump truck?**
A standard 10-wheel dump truck carries 10–15 US tons (about 10–14 yd³ of gravel).

**What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?**
A short ton is 2,000 lb (907 kg); a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,205 lb).

**What formula does the Tonnage Calculator use?**
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste).


## Sources

- [The Engineering ToolBox – Bulk densities of materials](https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/density-materials-d_1652.html)