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May 12, 2026
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Project Hub
Aggregate and Base Estimating
This project hub works best once you know whether the job needs pipe bedding, compacted sub-base, MOT Type 1, hardcore, or another bulk material. The calculators here help turn trench, patio, path, and driveway dimensions into a real delivered quantity, then link into the nearest drainage pages when the base build-up overlaps a trench run.
Aggregates6 calculatorsGuides and quote prep included
How to use it
Planning before buying
Use this project hub for a planning check, then confirm the final order or quote against live product data and site conditions.
Why trust it
See how the site is maintained
Read the calculator methodology and editorial policy for the standards behind these pages.
Choose the aggregate or base material first
This project hub works best once you know whether the job needs pipe bedding, compacted sub-base, MOT Type 1, hardcore, or another bulk material. The calculators here help turn trench, patio, path, and driveway dimensions into a real delivered quantity, then link into the nearest drainage pages when the base build-up overlaps a trench run.
Hardcore Calculator
Estimate hardcore volume, tonnes, and bulk-bag buying quantities for driveways, patio bases, shed bases, and general fill work.
Sub-Base Calculator
Estimate sub-base volume, tonnes, and delivered quantity for paving, patios, paths, and driveway foundations before you order.
MOT Type 1 Calculator
Estimate MOT Type 1 volume, tonnage, bulk-bag buying quantities, and rough delivery needs for driveways, paths, and compacted sub-base layers.
Best route through an aggregate or base-material brief
Use the hub like a build-up check so the final request covers the right base depth, buying route, and any linked drainage materials.
1. Pick the layer you are actually buying
Start with hardcore, sub-base, MOT Type 1, or pipe bedding based on the real layer in the build-up rather than using one aggregate page as a rough proxy for all of them.
2. Check how the material will be supplied
Sense-check compacted depth, density, tonne conversion, and whether the merchant quote should price bags, bulk bags, or loose delivery.
3. Send one joined-up base brief
When the base overlaps a trench or drainage run, package the linked quantities together so the supplier is pricing the whole build-up instead of one isolated tonnage line.
More calculators in this hub
Use these related pages when the same project includes extra materials, linked layers, or a different buying format.
Sand Calculator
Estimate sand volume, tonnage, and rough cost for laying and filling jobs.
Sharp Sand Calculator
Estimate sharp sand volume, tonnage, and rough cost for screeds, paving, and bedding work.
Ballast Calculator
Estimate ballast volume and tonnage for concrete and base applications.
Related trench and drainage calculators
Use these linked tools when the aggregate order also depends on drainage pipe lengths, pipe bedding, trench gravel, or membrane coverage around the run.
Pipe Bedding Calculator
Estimate pipe bedding volume, tonnes, and bulk-bag buying quantities for drainage trenches before you order sand or gravel.
Drainage Pipe Calculator
Estimate drainage pipe lengths, stock pieces, waste allowance, and practical buying totals for trench runs before you order fittings and chambers.
French Drain Gravel Calculator
Estimate french drain gravel volume, tonnes, bulk bags, and practical trench-fill buying totals before you order aggregate for the run.
Geotextile Membrane Calculator
Estimate geotextile membrane rolls, overlaps, and covered area for driveways, french drains, trenches, and separating aggregate layers.
What changes these estimates most
Installed depth, compaction, density, edge thickening, and the difference between finished depth and loose-delivered depth can move the order significantly.
Why buying format matters
A small domestic job may be easier with bags or mini bulk bags, while a larger driveway, patio base, or trench crossover can look very different once loose delivery is priced.
Before you order
Check whether the supplier sells by tonne, cubic metre, or bag size, confirm if the quoted quantity is loose or compacted, and make sure linked trench materials are not being priced twice or missed completely.
Quick quantity pages
Start here if you mainly want to know how much bulk material to order from the dimensions of the job and the compacted build-up you are trying to achieve.
Sand Calculator by Volume
Work out how much Sand you need from length, width, depth, and a realistic waste allowance.
Sand Quantity Guide
Use the job dimensions to build a sensible order quantity for Sand.
Sharp Sand Calculator by Volume
Work out how much Sharp Sand you need from length, width, depth, and a realistic waste allowance.
Sharp Sand Quantity Guide
Use the job dimensions to build a sensible order quantity for Sharp Sand.
Sharp Sand Calculator for Patio
Estimate sharp sand for patio bedding and paving prep with practical depth assumptions.
Ballast Calculator by Volume
Work out how much Ballast you need from length, width, depth, and a realistic waste allowance.
Ballast Quantity Guide
Use the job dimensions to build a sensible order quantity for Ballast.
Hardcore Calculator by Volume
Work out hardcore volume for patios, paths, shed bases, and general fill before you order bags, bulk bags, or loose tonnes.
Hardcore Quantity Guide
Work out how much hardcore you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and bag versus loose delivery.
Sub-Base Calculator by Volume
Work out sub-base volume for patios, paths, and driveways before you order tonnes, bulk bags, or loose aggregate.
Sub-Base Quantity Guide
Work out how much sub-base you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and merchant delivery options.
MOT Type 1 Calculator by Volume
Work out how much MOT Type 1 you need from length, width, depth, and a realistic waste allowance.
MOT Type 1 Quantity Guide
Use the job dimensions to build a sensible order quantity for MOT Type 1.
MOT Type 1 Calculator for Driveway
Estimate MOT Type 1 for driveway and patio sub-base depth, tonnage, bulk bags, and practical delivery quantities.
Best pages to attach before you request aggregate prices
Use these pages together when the merchant or groundworker needs the base layer, supporting trench material, and the nearest delivery-format checks in one place.
Hardcore Calculator
Calculator: Estimate hardcore volume, tonnes, and bulk-bag buying quantities for driveways, patio bases, shed bases, and general fill work.
Sub-Base Calculator
Calculator: Estimate sub-base volume, tonnes, and delivered quantity for paving, patios, paths, and driveway foundations before you order.
MOT Type 1 Calculator
Calculator: Estimate MOT Type 1 volume, tonnage, bulk-bag buying quantities, and rough delivery needs for driveways, paths, and compacted sub-base layers.
Pipe Bedding Calculator
Calculator: Estimate pipe bedding volume, tonnes, and bulk-bag buying quantities for drainage trenches before you order sand or gravel.
Hardcore Quantity Guide
Guide: Work out how much hardcore you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and bag versus loose delivery.
Sub-Base Quantity Guide
Guide: Work out how much sub-base you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and merchant delivery options.
MOT Type 1 Calculator for Driveway
Guide: Estimate MOT Type 1 for driveway and patio sub-base depth, tonnage, bulk bags, and practical delivery quantities.
Turn the base estimate into a cleaner merchant or groundworker brief
Send one request that covers the real base layer, the target depth, and the delivery route you want priced, especially if the job also touches trench or drainage materials.
- State the footprint, target compacted depth, and whether the quoted quantity should reflect loose delivery or finished build-up depth.
- Separate hardcore, Type 1, sub-base, bedding, membrane, and any drainage crossover so nothing is missed or priced twice.
- Flag access limits, storage space, and whether you want bags, bulk bags, mini loads, or loose tonnes compared in the same reply.
You can also open the wider Aggregate and Base Estimating project hub if the quote depends on more than one material.