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Calculator · Sheet T-206

Gravel and aggregate calculator

Tonnes of base course, pit run or sand for a pad, driveway, parking area or road, with a budget at 2026 tendered prices.

Gravel & aggregate tonnage · Sheet T-206Metric
m
m
mm
t/m³
%
$/t
Default: Alberta 2026 granular base course, Des. 2 Cl. 25, supplied and placed.
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Estimates only. Check quantities against the drawings and your supplier before ordering.

STA 0+120How it works

Tonnes = length × width × depth × density × (1 + waste). Cubic metres are shown in place. Budget = tonnes × price.

STA 0+240Assumptions and sources

Default densities are midpoints of the published bank (in-place) weight ranges: gravel about 1.77 to 2.05 t/m³ and sand about 1.70 to 1.98 t/m³22. Compacted crushed base is often denser; use your supplier’s figure. The default price is the Alberta 2026 average for granular base course (Des. 2 Cl. 25), $33.65 per t1.

Questions people ask

How many tonnes of gravel do I need?

Multiply length × width × compacted depth to get cubic metres, then multiply by the material density. A 60 m × 8 m pad at 200 mm is 96 m³, about 183 t at 1.91 t/m³ before waste.

How much does gravel cost per tonne?

On Alberta highway contracts in 2025–26, granular base course (Des. 2 Cl. 25) averaged $33.65 per t1 supplied and placed. See the gravel cost guide for other materials and small-job pricing.

Should I order by tonnes or cubic metres?

Pits and suppliers usually sell by the tonne. Convert your compacted volume to tonnes using the material’s density and add a waste allowance.

Sources

  1. Unit Price Averages (workbook updated 2026-06-24)Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors · 2026
  2. FM 5-434 Earthmoving Operations, Chapter 1, Tables 1-1 and 1-2U.S. Department of the Army (field manual; hosted copy on GlobalSecurity.org) · FM 5-434 (2000)