Construction
Aggregate Base Calculator
Calculate crushed aggregate base by area, depth, compaction, and cost.
Inputs
Live estimate
Material needed
7.41 cu yd
- Cubic yards
- 7.41 cu yd
- Tons
- 11.11 tons
- Truckloads
- 0.62
- Area
- 500 sq ft
- Cubic feet
- 166.67
You will likely need
- •7.41 cu yd — material needed
- •Schedule 1 truck load
- •Approximate delivered weight: 11.11 tons
Supplier tip
Most suppliers sell aggregate base by either the cubic yard or by weight. Confirm your supplier's preferred ordering unit before purchasing.
Weight estimates are based on industry-standard average material densities. Actual delivered weights may vary by supplier and moisture content.
Diagram
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 7 cu yd
- Compaction demand (already applied)
- Informational
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Adjusted requirement
- 7 cu yd
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole ton
- Suggested order
- 8 cu yd
Aggregate base is specified as a compacted depth. The engine converts loose→compacted once via Advanced options.
What you actually need in the field, before rounding to a supplier-friendly ordering unit.
Estimator confidence
LowerThe primary result already includes the compaction factor from Advanced options. Loose delivered volume exceeds the compacted design depth.
Improve confidence: Verify the compaction percentage in Advanced options matches your spec (typical 15–25%).
Why this behavior applies: Aggregate base is specified as a compacted depth, so the loose delivered volume must exceed it. This calculator applies that factor once — in the primary quantity — and the intelligence layer only explains it.
- Compacted vs loose depth — The spec is compacted depth; the truck delivers loose material.
- Subgrade condition — Soft subgrade absorbs base rock during compaction.
- Compaction equipment — Plate compactor vs vibratory roller changes the effective factor.
- Install in 2-inch lifts and compact each lift.
- Add water to hit optimum moisture — dry base cannot reach target density.
- Use woven fabric under aggregate on soft native subgrade.
- Placing base in one thick lift and getting soft spots.
- Compacting bone-dry aggregate — density will never hit spec.
- Skipping fabric on soft native soil and watching the base disappear into the subgrade.
Smart tips
- Ordering 5–10% extra is standard on irregular layouts. Running short costs more than the excess.
- Enter your dimensions to see live material estimates.
How it's calculated
Area is derived from your shape inputs and converted to sq ft.
Depth is converted to feet; cubic feet = area × depth.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27, then × (1 + waste %) × (1 + compaction %).
Estimated tons = cubic yards (with waste) × 1.5.
Truckloads = cubic yards (with waste) ÷ truck capacity.
Total cost = cubic yards (with waste) × price per cubic yard + delivery.
Material assumptions
- Aggregate base density: about 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
- Compact in 2-inch lifts. Loose volume is 15–25% greater than compacted.
- Common specs: ¾-inch minus, Class-2, DGA (dense graded aggregate).
Frequently asked questions
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Deeper guidance from the Learn library — sizing, depth, waste, and ordering for this material.
These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.