Example for common gravel and rock; verify the weight of each supplier product.
One supplier-specific loose weight for 3/4-inch stone; change it for your grade.
Dense graded aggregate with stone dust; compacts firmly.
Example only. Published lava-rock products range from about 1,250 to 1,500 lb/yd³; check your supplier.
The Science of Aggregate Bulk Density
Bulk density (also called "unit weight") is the weight of aggregate per unit of volume, including spaces between particles. ASTM C29/C29M and AASHTO T 19 describe methods for measuring it in loose or compacted test samples. They do not assign a fixed density to each material. ASTM also notes that dry test values may differ from moist material in a stockpile or hauling unit.
Understanding bulk density is vital because materials are bought and sold across two different physical metrics: landscape drawings specify volume (cubic yards), whereas quarries bill clients by weight (short tons of 2,000 pounds) across certified platform scales.
The Master Quarry Bulk Density & Coverage Table
The table below gives starting estimates for loose bulk aggregate. The tons and coverage figures use the listed planning density and geometric layer volume, with no extra ordering allowance. Actual delivery weight depends on the supplier's product and moisture. For a compacted finished DG layer, use the DG coverage calculator to add a separate loose-order allowance.
| Aggregate Material | Planning Density (short t/yd³) | Example Range (lb/cu ft) | Planning Pounds per Cubic Yard | Yield at 2" Depth | Yield at 3" Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (3/8" Round) | 1.35 t/yd³ | 95 to 102 lbs/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 120 sq ft/ton | 80 sq ft/ton |
| River Rock (1" to 3") | 1.35 t/yd³ | 95 to 104 lbs/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 120 sq ft/ton | 80 sq ft/ton |
| Large River Rock (3" to 5") | 1.35 t/yd³ | 95 to 105 lbs/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 120 sq ft/ton | 80 sq ft/ton |
| Egg Rock (1" to 3") | 1.40 t/yd³ | 89 to 104 lbs/cu ft | 2,800 lbs | 116 sq ft/ton | 77 sq ft/ton |
| Crushed Limestone (#57) | 1.35 t/yd³ | 95 to 102 lbs/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 120 sq ft/ton | 80 sq ft/ton |
| Crushed Granite (3/4-inch example) | 1.40 t/yd³ | 96 to 104 lbs/cu ft | 2,800 lbs | 116 sq ft/ton | 77 sq ft/ton |
| Trap Rock (basalt / diabase) | 1.30 t/yd³ | 89 to 100 lbs/cu ft | 2,600 lbs | 125 sq ft/ton | 83 sq ft/ton |
| Washed Drain Rock (3/4-inch example) | 1.25 t/yd³ | 93 to 104 lbs/cu ft | 2,500 lbs | 130 sq ft/ton | 86 sq ft/ton |
| Decomposed Granite (DG) | 1.25 t/yd³ | 89 to 100 lb/cu ft | 2,500 lbs | 130 sq ft/ton | 86 sq ft/ton |
| Volcanic Lava Rock (Scoria) | 0.75 t/yd³ | 52 to 60 lbs/cu ft | 1,500 lbs | 216 sq ft/ton | 144 sq ft/ton |
| White Marble Chips | 1.35 t/yd³ | 89 to 100 lbs/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 120 sq ft/ton | 80 sq ft/ton |
| Mexican Beach Pebble | 1.30 t/yd³ | 96 to 104 lbs/cu ft | 2,600 lbs | 125 sq ft/ton | 83 sq ft/ton |
| Quarry Process / Crusher Run | 1.45 t/yd³ | 102 to 110 lbs/cu ft | 2,900 lbs | 112 sq ft/ton | 74 sq ft/ton |
| Road Base Gravel (21-A / DGA) | 1.50 t/yd³ | 106 to 114 lbs/cu ft | 3,000 lbs | 108 sq ft/ton | 72 sq ft/ton |
| Class 1 Riprap (6" to 12") | 1.40 t/yd³ | 100 to 106 lbs/cu ft | 2,800 lbs | 116 sq ft/ton | 77 sq ft/ton |
| Cobblestone (Belgian Blocks) | 1.45 t/yd³ | 104 to 110 lbs/cu ft | 2,900 lbs | 112 sq ft/ton | 74 sq ft/ton |
| Decorative Landscape Rock | 1.30 t/yd³ | 92 to 98 lbs/cu ft | 2,600 lbs | 125 sq ft/ton | 83 sq ft/ton |
| Structural Landscape Stone | 1.40 t/yd³ | 100 to 106 lbs/cu ft | 2,800 lbs | 116 sq ft/ton | 77 sq ft/ton |
| Driveway Gravel (#411) | 1.40 t/yd³ | 100 to 108 lbs/cu ft | 2,800 lbs | 116 sq ft/ton | 77 sq ft/ton |
The three new material rows use product examples rather than fixed rock densities. LandCare lists 2,800 lb/yd³ for 3/4-inch crushed granite, while Landscape Centre lists about 2,600 lb/yd³ for its clear-crush granite. Dresser Trap Rock lists an average 2,600 lb/yd³, with Fick listing 2,700 lb/yd³ for another trap product. South Bay lists 2,500 lb/yd³ for its washed drain rock, while Three Z lists roughly 2,800 lb/yd³ for washed #57 gravel. The coverage columns are geometric estimates for flat layers; use the drain-rock trench tool for pipe and top-cover deductions.
The DG row starts at 2,500 lb per loose cubic yard, or 1.25 US short tons. It is a planning preset, not an ASTM value. Gravelshop lists one ½-inch-minus DG at 2,410 lb/yd³, while Central Texas Materials lists its DG at 2,700 lb/yd³. The example range rounds those two supplier figures to about 2,400–2,700 lb/yd³ (89–100 lb/ft³). Use the measured or quoted density for your specific product.
The lava-rock row uses 1,500 lb per loose cubic yard as a planning example, not a fixed weight for all scoria. Landscape Centre lists 1,250 lb/yd³, Palmer Coking Coal lists about 1,300–1,500 lb/yd³ for its lava products, and Sutherland lists 1,420 lb/yd³ for black lava. Enter the current supplier figure in the lava rock coverage calculator when converting tons to area.
The marble-chip row uses 2,700 lb per loose cubic yard as an example. Cummin Landscape Supply lists about 2,700 lb/yd³, while Gravelshop lists 2,410 lb/yd³ for another white-chip product. The row's 89–100 lb/ft³ range roughly spans those two products; the coverage figures use the 2,700 lb/yd³ example and exclude extra ordering allowance. Use the marble chips calculator to enter the weight on your supplier quote.
The beach-pebble row starts from West Seattle Stone's 2,600 lb/yd³ listing. Roseville Rock Supply lists about 1.3–1.4 short tons/yd³, giving an illustrative range near 96–104 lb/ft³. The area figures are geometric estimates at the 2,600 lb/yd³ example with no allowance. Enter your product's actual weight in the beach pebble calculator.
The egg-rock row uses Main's Landscape Supply's 2,800 lb/yd³ egg-rock listing; Cummin Landscape Supply lists about 2,400 lb/yd³ for another grade. That is roughly 89–104 lb/ft³. The row shows geometric coverage at the 2,800 lb/yd³ example. The egg rock calculator lets you enter the current weight for your product.
Why Densities Vary: The Three Field Factors
Experienced civil engineers and contractors understand that bulk density is not a single static number. True field densities fluctuate based on three key physical variables:
1. Mineral Specific Gravity
The parent geology of the quarry dictates base mineral density. Igneous basalt and granite naturally possess higher solid mineral specific gravities (2.65 to 2.80) than porous sedimentary limestone (2.50 to 2.65) or volcanic scoria (1.40 to 1.70).
2. Moisture Content (Rainfall Absorption)
Aggregates stored in outdoor quarry stockpiles absorb surface moisture during rain events. Wet crushed stone can weigh 5 to 8 percent more per cubic yard than dry stone. When ordering by certified scale weight after heavy rainfall, slight volumetric adjustments occur.
3. Loose vs Compacted State
Dense-graded aggregates such as crusher run or decomposed granite can occupy less volume after compaction. That changes their bulk density, but the change depends on gradation, moisture, equipment, and site conditions. Use a supplier's loose-to-finished allowance when estimating material for a specified finished depth.
Companion Calculators for This Project
Apply the principles and formulas from this guide directly into our calibrated volumetric estimators:
Rock Tons Calculator
TonsEstimate short tons from loose cubic yards using a material-specific density.
Launch Calculator →Rock Coverage Chart
Depth MatrixInteractive depth matrix showing square feet per ton and square feet per yard.
Launch Calculator →Rock Coverage Calculator Yard
VolumeConvert length, width, and depth into cubic yards for bulk ordering.
Launch Calculator →