Road Base Material Calculator
Estimate compacted crusher-run aggregate tonnage for road base and sub-base construction.
Estimates are for material planning only. Actual quantities depend on subgrade condition, compaction equipment, and local aggregate specifications. Verify with a qualified civil engineer before ordering.
How it works
- 1Enter the road segment length and width, then set the required compacted depth.
- 2The calculator multiplies length × width × compacted depth for the volume, then applies a dense graded aggregate density of 2200 kg/m³.
- 3Read off the tonnage and add 10–15% to your order for spreading and compaction losses.
Use cases
- Estimating crusher-run or DGA quantities for a rural access road or driveway.
- Budgeting aggregate costs before a car park or hardstanding project.
- Checking material orders against drawings for road rehabilitation works.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 2200 kg/m³ used as the density?
Dense graded aggregate base (crusher run) has a compacted density of roughly 2100–2300 kg/m³; the calculator uses 2200 as a mid-range value. A 30 m × 6 m road at 0.15 m deep is 27 m³ → about 59.4 t.
How much extra should I order?
Order 10–15% more than the compacted volume. Loose aggregate loses volume as it is compacted, so you need more loose material than the finished thickness suggests.
Can I use this for sub-base too?
Yes. Base and sub-base aggregates have similar densities (2100–2300 kg/m³), so 2200 is a reasonable estimate for either layer. Confirm with your supplier’s material data sheet.
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