Aggregate cost calculator
Work out the tons of aggregate for your area and depth, multiply by the price per ton and add delivery for the total cost.
Purchase quantity
1.852 ton
Net measurement: 1.308 yd³ · Waste 5 %
- Aggregate1.852 ton · $58.80
- Delivery1 trip · $60.00
Indicative estimate: $118.80
Your prices per language/currency. Used when you enable “Use my prices” in calculators. My prices →
How it's calculated (visible formula)
tons = area × depth × (1 + waste) × density; cost = tons × price/ton + delivery
- Net geometric measurement, no waste.
- Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
- Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).
How to calculate it, step by step
- Work out the volume: area times depth.
- Convert volume to tons with the density of the chosen aggregate.
- Add 5% waste so you don't run short on the last pass.
- Multiply by your supplier's price per ton.
- Add delivery and any short-load or crane fee.
Worked example: 430 sq ft of road base at 4 in
- 430 sq ft × 4 in ≈ 5.3 yd³; +5% → 5.6 yd³
- 5.6 yd³ × 1.6 t/yd³ ≈ 8.8 tons
- 8.8 × $35/ton = $308 + $60 delivery
→ About $368 in total.
Common mistakes
- Comparing a price per yard with a price per ton without converting.
- Forgetting delivery or the short-load fee.
- Not ordering extra for material that compacts.
Pro tips
- Get prices with and without delivery — picking up at the quarry can pay off.
- Combine orders from nearby jobs to fill the truck.
- Check whether the price includes sales tax and fuel surcharge.
- Show spreading and compaction labor as a separate line in your quote.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- Is aggregate sold by the yard or the ton?
- Quarries usually price by the ton; landscape yards often by the cubic yard. Convert before comparing.
- How much is a ton of gravel?
- It varies by region and size — enter your supplier's price.
- Is bulk cheaper than bags?
- From about 3–4 tons, bulk delivery usually beats bagged material.
- How much does gravel delivery cost?
- It depends on distance and truck size; many yards charge a flat fee within a radius.
- Is recycled aggregate cheaper?
- Usually, and it works for fill and non-structural bases.
- How do I price a gravel path?
- Material + delivery + fabric + edging + spreading labor, then add your margin.
Sources and standards
Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.