Calculated result
12.8yd³
Road base order
Formula
LND-RDB-001L × W × D ÷ 27 × (1 + waste)
300 ft³
Net volume
19.2 tons
Estimated weight
600 ft²
Area
Landscaping calculator
Road base calculator
a 50 × 12 ft drive 6 in deep, 1.5 t/yd³ and 15% compaction rounds to 12.8 yd³, about 19.2 tons. In metric, net volume is 8.5 m³.
Formula. L × W × D ÷ 27 × (1 + waste)
Crusher-run or class II base volume and tonnage from driveway or pad area, compacted depth and supplier density.
By Feroz Sheikh · Formula LND-RDB-001 v1.0.0 · Tested formula
Formula
LND-RDB-001v1.0.0Project inputs
Enter your measurements. Switching units converts the same project, including coverage and unit rates. Package yields keep the unit printed beside each field.
Refine measurements and rates at any time. Your current values are included in the material-list PDF.
Planning estimate, not engineering advice. Confirm site measurements and product specifications. Calculation limits.
Length times width times compacted depth, plus a visible compaction allowance, rounded to the next 0.1 yd³ and converted to tons at the density you enter.
- Measure the paved or graveled width, including shoulders if they get the same stone.
- Enter compacted depth. Compaction lives in the waste field so 6 in compacted is not ordered as 6 in loose.
- Confirm density with the quarry. Recycled concrete, limestone and granite differ.
Add your project costs
Enter supplier prices and any labour, equipment or delivery costs. Pick a currency — badges, inputs, and totals follow.
Costs use the bulk-yard, bag or truck-load rate you type. Construclytic does not fetch quarry or nursery prices. Delivery, fabric and edging stay separate lines.
How this calculator works
A transparent road base takeoff.
Feroz SheikhWritten and reviewed by Feroz Sheikh · founder
Length times width times compacted depth, plus a visible compaction allowance, rounded to the next 0.1 yd³ and converted to tons at the density you enter.
LND-RDB-001 is crusher-run or class II base from driveway or pad area, compacted depth and an editable density. Decorative gravel and bedding sand do not share that density. Fabric stays extras.
Worked example. Example: a 50 × 12 ft drive 6 in deep, 1.5 t/yd³ and 15% compaction rounds to 12.8 yd³, about 19.2 tons.
See the example inputs and calculated result
This separate example uses the calculator's starting values in imperial units. It stays unchanged when you edit the tool above. Example rates, yields and dimensions are assumptions, not recommendations for your project.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Length | 50 ft |
| Width | 12 ft |
| Compacted depth | 6 in |
| Density | 1.5 US tons / yd³ |
| Compaction / waste | 15 % |
Example result: Road base order — 12.8 yd³.
L × W × D ÷ 27 × (1 + waste)
Use the labelled units above when reproducing this example. To work in metric, switch the calculator to Metric; applicable measurements are converted, while product-specific units remain labelled.
- 1. Measure the paved or graveled width, including shoulders if they get the same stone.
- 2. Enter compacted depth. Compaction lives in the waste field so 6 in compacted is not ordered as 6 in loose.
- 3. Confirm density with the quarry. Recycled concrete, limestone and granite differ.
Field notes that change the number
- Compacted depth is the number that matters after the roller.
- Replace density with the quarry ticket.
- Flares are extra rectangles.
Common mistakes
- Using decorative-stone density on class II.
- Entering loose depth as compacted depth.
- Treating this as a pavement section stamp.
In Qatar and the wider GCC, switch to metric and replace density with the local quarry ticket.
Need the broader workflow? Read the landscaping planning guide.
How-to: How to order a gravel driveway
Questions
Questions about road base
Why not gravel driveway?
Gravel driveway defaults to 4 in and 1.4 t/yd³. Road base defaults to 6 in of dense-grade at 1.5 t/yd³. Use the page that matches the product.
Does this include the surface gravel?
No. A two-layer drive is two lines: this base, then the gravel driveway calculator for the wearing course.
What is the formula ID?
This road base calculator publishes formula LND-RDB-001, version 1.0.0. The ID stays on the result and on the estimate line.