Quantity Calculator

Guide to Quantity Calculation of Sand, Gravel, Granite Chippings, and Stones

When calculating the amount of stone and gravel materials needed to cover an area, you first need to determine the exact area to be covered. Normally, this can be divided into squares, but in other cases, you may need to lay it out in a circle, which requires calculating the area of a circle.

How to Calculate the Area of a Square

The classic method for calculating an area that is square or almost square is length x width. So, if you have an area that is 3 meters wide and 8 meters long, you would calculate 3 x 8 meters, which equals an area of 24 m² (square meters). Once you know this area, you can enter it into the maxibags quantity calculator above, and it will be incredibly easy to find the exact amount of material you need.

How to Calculate the Area of a Circle

If you need to calculate the area of a circle, a different formula is required. First, note that pi = 3.14. The formula is 3.14 x r² (radius x radius / the radius is measured from the edge of the circle to the center and is half of the diameter). If you have a circular area with, say, a radius of 4 meters, you would calculate it as follows: 3.14 x 4². Start by calculating 4² = (4x4) = 16. The equation then becomes 3.14 x 16 = 50.24. So, your total area of the circle or round area is 50.24 m².

What Amount of Subbase or Paving Sand Do I Need?

When you need to cover an area with subbase and/or paving sand (paver sand), you must first determine the size of the area where the sand will be applied. Next, it’s important to consider the traffic load on the area. We have a few different recommendations for base layers, followed by paving installation:

5 cm of subbase and 5 cm of paving sand: Suitable for areas where you will be laying a paving surface that does not require high load-bearing capacity. Examples include terraces, patio pavers, or walkways. This is ideal for light traffic such as pedestrians, prams, wheelbarrows, etc., with minimal load.
15 cm of subbase and 5 cm of paving sand: Suitable for areas with traffic under 7 tons of total weight. This variant is typically used for driveways or parking areas without heavy trucks but still suitable for cars, caravans, and trailers.
25 cm of subbase and 5 cm of paving sand: This is for a base layer that can withstand all types of loads. It can handle trucks driving over it without leaving tracks. Consider your needs, and you will have a solid solution with sand and gravel.

What Amount of Stones Do I Need?

When calculating how much stone you need, such as pea gravel or pea stone, you should first determine your area using the formulas above. Next, it’s important to know what type of gravel/stone you need, as the size of the stone matters.

4-8 mm (pea gravel): We recommend a layer thickness of about 3-4 cm. This will give you a nice coverage without it being too much.
8-16 mm (pea stone): You should use a layer thickness of 5 cm. This thickness is appropriate, and it’s typically the size of stone used in driveways.
16-32 mm (nut stone): For this slightly larger stone size, we recommend a layer thickness of about 7-8 cm.
32-64 mm (singles): We recommend a layer thickness of 10 cm. With this recommendation, you will find a good solution with beautiful and affordable stones, achieving the correct coverage for an excellent appearance.

What Amount of Granite Chippings Do I Need?

If you're looking for beautiful granite chippings, such as black granite chippings, it’s important to know which size to use. The larger the chippings, the thicker the layer required. Below, we list the different sizes and the recommended layer thickness you should use. First, calculate your area and then use the recommended layer thickness we describe here:

5-8 mm: We recommend a layer thickness of 3-4 cm. This will give you a nice coverage with the smaller granite chipping type.
8-11 mm: We recommend a 4-5 cm layer thickness.
11-16 mm: We recommend a 5 cm thickness. These granite chippings are very suitable for driveways but should not be laid thicker than 5-6 cm. Otherwise, you will get tracks in the surface where cars drive, and in the worst case, cars could get stuck if the layer is too thick.
16-22 mm: We recommend a 7 cm layer thickness, which makes for a beautiful and solid surface.
32-45 / 32-50 mm: Here, you need a layer thickness of 10 cm. This will give you a really nice surface where the chippings cover properly, creating a great visual effect. It is always important to do your work properly, and if you follow our guide here, you are guaranteed to succeed with your project.

What Amount of Wood Chips and Bark Chips Do I Need?

When it comes to bark chips and wood chips, we always recommend a layer of 10 cm or more. The thicker the layer of chips, the longer it lasts, and the longer you can avoid weeds from underneath.

If you start with an area of 60 m² where chips will be applied, and you plan to use a 10 cm thick layer, you should calculate it as follows: 60 x 0.10 = 6 m³ (6000 liters) to cover your area.

This will give you a fantastic and long-lasting solution for your garden or bed with wood chips/bark chips.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at Maxibag, and our experts are ready to guide you to the perfect solution for you.

Happy gardening!