How to Calculate Tonnage

Material Tonnage Calculator

Gravel (Loose) – 105 lbs/ft³ Crushed Stone – 115 lbs/ft³ Dry Sand – 95 lbs/ft³ Topsoil – 80 lbs/ft³ Concrete (Wet) – 145 lbs/ft³ Asphalt – 150 lbs/ft³

Calculation Results:

Total Weight: 0 lbs

Total Tonnage: 0 Tons

Total Cubic Yards: 0 yd³

---

HVAC Cooling Tonnage Calculator

Cooling Requirements:

Required Capacity: 0 Tons

Estimated BTU/hr: 0 BTU

How to Calculate Tonnage for Materials

Whether you are ordering gravel for a driveway or mulch for a garden, calculating tonnage ensures you don't overspend or run short on materials. Most aggregate and construction materials are sold by the "ton" (2,000 lbs in the US).

The Material Tonnage Formula

To calculate the tonnage needed for a project, use the following steps:

1. Calculate Square Footage: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft).
2. Convert Depth: Divide the desired depth in inches by 12 to get depth in feet.
3. Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply Square Footage × Depth (ft).
4. Apply Density: Multiply Cubic Feet by the material's density (lbs/ft³).
5. Convert to Tons: Divide the total weight in pounds by 2,000.

Common Material Densities

• Gravel: ~105 lbs per cubic foot
• Crushed Stone: ~115 lbs per cubic foot
• Topsoil: ~80 lbs per cubic foot
• Asphalt: ~145-150 lbs per cubic foot

How to Calculate HVAC Tonnage

In air conditioning, a "ton" is a measurement of cooling capacity. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. A general rule of thumb for residential cooling is that 1 ton is needed for every 400 to 600 square feet of living space, depending on insulation and climate.

Formula: (Square Footage × 30) / 12,000 = Tons of Cooling needed.

Practical Example

If you have a driveway that is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to fill it with 4 inches of gravel:

Calculation: 20ft × 10ft = 200 sq ft. Depth = 4/12 = 0.33 ft. Volume = 200 × 0.33 = 66.6 cubic feet. Weight = 66.6 × 105 lbs = 6,993 lbs. Tonnage = 6,993 / 2,000 = 3.5 Tons.