Tonnage Calculator
Last updated: July 2026 · Free · No sign-up required
Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result instantly.
Quick reference
| Coverage depth | Area per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
functions Shows the working, not just the answer
For students and teachers, the final number is only half the value. Every math tool here exposes the formula it applied, the intermediate steps, and the rounding rule, so you can follow along, check your homework, or use the answer in a proof or report with confidence.
calculate Accurate to the spec
Calculations use 64-bit floating point with sensible rounding for the domain (currency to 2 decimals, percentages to 4 decimals, algebra to 6 significant figures). Where exact rational arithmetic matters — fractions, factorials, simplification — we use a dedicated BigNumber path so 1/3 + 1/6 returns ½, not 0.49999.
school Free for classroom use
Educators are welcome to link to any math calculator on CalcaTools from a class site, Google Classroom, or worksheet. The pages are mobile-friendly, free, ad-supported (so we can keep them free) and have no sign-up wall — students just click and use them in class or at home.
tips_and_updates Pair with the spoke articles
Below the calculator we link a small set of plain-English explainer pages — "What is a percentage?", "Why does PEMDAS matter?", and so on. They cover the underlying concept in 4–6 short paragraphs. Read those before the calculator if the topic is new, or after if you want the extra context.
Interpretation guide
| Result | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Cubic yards | Volume to order — bulk aggregate tonnage is sold by the cubic yard. |
| Estimated tons | Weight for by-the-ton pricing (≈ 1.4 tons per cubic yard). |
| Add 5–10%% | Order a little extra for compaction, spillage and uneven ground. |
Formula & methodology
Formula: Cubic yards = (Length_ft × Width_ft × Depth_in ÷ 12) ÷ 27; Tons = cubic yards × 1.4
This Tonnage Calculator estimates how much material to order from the bed dimensions. 1 yd³ of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons.
- Measure the area length and width in feet and the depth in inches.
- Convert depth to feet (depth ÷ 12), then multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards (27 ft³ = 1 yd³).
- Multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to estimate the weight in tons.
- Add 5–10%% to cover compaction, settling and waste, then round up to the next ordering unit.
Worked example: a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 3 in deep = 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards, about 2.59 tons of aggregate tonnage.
Frequently asked questions
Explore the full construction materials toolkit
Every CalcaTools construction and landscaping material estimator — concrete, gravel, crushed stone, rock, dirt, soil, sand and project planning — with coverage, volume and tonnage math shown step by step.