Bulk material starts as a compacted volume
A 5 m by 3 m path at 5 cm finished depth occupies 0.75 m³ because 5 × 3 × 0.05 equals 0.75. At the entered 1,600 kg per m³ bulk density, that becomes 1,200 kg. The density describes a particular aggregate condition, not an invariant property of every stone sold as gravel.
Delivered stone can settle
Loose material contains air spaces and may compact under a plate compactor or traffic. A driveway base, decorative gravel, and drainage layer can settle differently because their particle sizes and moisture differ. Specify whether the target depth is loose, compacted, or after rolling before translating cubic metres into a delivery load.
Density depends on the product
Limestone, granite, recycled aggregate, and wet sand-like fines do not weigh the same per cubic metre. A supplier’s ticket or product sheet is stronger evidence than a generic density. Entering a density for dry decorative chips when ordering wet base material can make the mass estimate misleading.
A path has edges and layers
Geotextile, edging, sub-base, drainage fall, and a separate top layer are not contained in a single depth value. A 50 mm decorative finish may sit over a much deeper engineered base. Split each layer into its own area and compacted depth instead of adding unlike aggregates together.
Limit of the conversion
This tool changes a rectangular layer into volume and approximate mass. It does not select aggregate grading, calculate vehicle loads, assess drainage, or design a driveway. Confirm the supplier’s bulk density, delivery capacity, and required compaction method before relying on a tonne estimate.
Convert the supplier quote carefully
A yard may quote tonnes while a landscape plan states cubic metres. Ask whether the quoted mass is loose, washed, damp, or compacted and retain that wording with the order. A delivery vehicle may also have a maximum legal or practical load smaller than the calculated quantity. Divide the same verified aggregate into loads only after confirming the truck capacity and access route.
Inspection note: Convert the supplier quote carefully
Before ordering or fitting, revisit this project-specific check: A yard may quote tonnes while a landscape plan states cubic metres; Ask whether the quoted mass is loose, washed, damp, or compacted and retain that wording with the order; A delivery vehicle may also have a maximum legal or practical load smaller than the calculated quantity; Divide the same verified aggregate into loads only after confirming the truck capacity and access route.