Material calculator
Crushed Aggregate Base Calculator
Tonnage, volume and installed cost for crushed aggregate base, calculated at its real compacted density of 135 lb/ft³.
Your project
Crews typically order 5-10% extra to cover compaction, spillage and uneven subgrade.
Crushed Aggregate Base needed
17.01
US tons
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Volume
- 9.33 cubic yards
- Compacted density
- 135 lb/ft³
- Truckloads (20-ton)
- 1
- Installed cost range
- $480 – $1,440
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
The shareable link reopens this calculator with your exact inputs.
What is crushed aggregate base?
Crushed aggregate base — Class 5, crusher run, DGA or 21A depending on the region — is the compacted stone layer that carries the load under asphalt.
Compacted density is about 135 lb/ft³; it settles roughly 20% from loose delivery volume.
The base does the structural work. Asphalt over a weak base fails no matter how thick the mat is.
How the quantity is calculated
Tons = area (sq ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × 135 ÷ 2,000. Cubic yards ignore density entirely: area × thickness ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Suppliers quote crushed aggregate base by the ton in most of the US, so tonnage is the number you order against.
Add a waste allowance of 5-10%. Uneven subgrade, spillage at the truck and the extra material a screed carries on the first pass all come out of your order, not the supplier's.
Typical installed cost for crushed aggregate base
Installed pricing runs roughly $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot nationally for the sub-base under driveways, lots and roads. Small jobs carry a mobilisation minimum — most contractors will not roll a crew and a roller for under about $2,500.
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
Crushed Aggregate Base quantity by area
At 6" compacted, 135 lb/ft³, no waste added.
| Area | Tons | Cubic yards | Installed cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 16.88 | 9.26 | $500 – $1,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 33.75 | 18.52 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 84.38 | 46.3 | $2,500 – $7,500 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 168.75 | 92.59 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 337.5 | 185.19 | $10,000 – $30,000 |
Density comparison
| Material | Compacted density | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Hot mix asphalt (compacted) | 145 lb/ft³ | 1.96 |
| Warm mix asphalt (compacted) | 142 lb/ft³ | 1.92 |
| Porous / open-graded asphalt | 130 lb/ft³ | 1.76 |
| Asphalt millings (compacted) | 127 lb/ft³ | 1.71 |
| Asphalt millings (loose) | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 |
| Crushed aggregate base (compacted) | 135 lb/ft³ | 1.82 |
| Loose gravel | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much does crushed aggregate base weigh per cubic yard?
About 1.82 US tons per cubic yard compacted, based on a 135 lb/ft³ density.
+How many tons of crushed aggregate base cover 1,000 square feet?
At 6" compacted, about 33.75 tons before waste allowance.
+What does crushed aggregate base cost installed?
Roughly $1.00-$3.00 per square foot nationally, before mobilisation minimums and site prep.