Aggregate & Ballast Calculator

Calculate volume, weight, and bag counts for all construction aggregates - sub-base, concrete mixes, drainage, and fill.

Material

Density: -

Common use (sets typical depth)

Depth (mm)

Compaction factor (%) Extra material to allow for compaction. MOT Type 1: 15-20%; loose fill: 10-15%.

Overage / Waste (%) 5-10% recommended for cutting and uneven ground.

Delivery format

Enter volume directly (m³) instead of calculating from area

Area / element name Length (m) Width (m)

Cost per tonne (loose)

Labour per m²

Delivery (flat fee)

Total Area
-
m²

Net Volume
-
m³

Volume (inc. comp. + waste)
-
m³

Weight to order
-
tonnes

Bags to order

Area / element	Dimensions	Area (m²)	Net vol (m³)	Adjusted (m³)	Weight (t)

Material	Primary use
Ballast (all-in)	General concrete mixes (1:5)
Sharp sand	Concrete, mortar, bedding
Building sand	Render, mortar, pointing
MOT Type 1	Sub-base - driveways, paths, slabs
MOT Type 2	Sub-base - less trafficked areas
10mm shingle	Drainage, concrete, pipe surround
20mm shingle	Drainage blankets, trench fill
40mm shingle	French drains, soakaway fill
Crusher run	Driveway base, footings formation
Recycled concrete	Sub-base, bulk fill - non-structural

MOT Type 1 compacts by 15-20% - always account for this when ordering.

Loose loads are cheapest per tonne for volumes over ~2 t
Bulk bags (800-1200 kg) suit medium jobs without space for a tipper
25 kg bags are expensive per tonne - use only for small top-ups
Check access for tipper deliveries - 8-wheel tippers need 3.5 m width
Loose loads are typically delivered in 5-20 tonne drops - round up to minimum load
Wet material weighs more - adjust allowances in wet weather