Cubic Yard Calculator

What “aggregate” means (and why your project depends on it)

In landscaping and hardscaping, aggregate is the stone-and-sand material that forms the foundation under patios, walkways, driveway sections, shed pads, and drainage builds. It’s what carries the load, sheds water, and keeps your finished surface from shifting over time. This cubic yard calculator helps to determine how much you need.

In Mississauga, this matters even more because freeze–thaw cycles and wet subgrades can punish weak base prep. If water sits in the wrong layer, you can end up with heaving, settling, or low spots after the first hard winter.

Common Mississauga uses for aggregate (what homeowners actually need)

We provide aggregate delivery and placement for:

• Interlock patios and walkways (base + leveling layer)

• Driveway extensions and parking pads (subbase/base + compaction)

• Shed pads and hot tub pads (stable, level, free-draining foundation)

• Drainage work (French drains, catch basins, downspout solutions)

• Retaining wall backfill (drainage stone to relieve pressure)

• Grading and lawn projects (topsoil, triple mix, finish grading)

Use this cubic yard calculator to determine how much to order.

Material options we deliver (and how we choose the right one)

Choosing aggregate isn’t about “whatever is cheapest.” It’s about load, water management, and finish.

Base & subbase

• Granular A (base): Dense, compacts tight—ideal under interlock and high-traffic areas.

• Granular B (subbase): Often used for deeper builds where added structure is needed.

• Crusher run / crush run: A common base material used for pads and pathways.

Leveling / bedding

• Limestone screenings: Fine material used to help grade and tighten under certain hardscape systems.

Drainage stone

• 3/4″ clear stone: Free-draining stone used behind walls, around drain pipe, and in wet areas.

• HPB (where appropriate): A clean, drainage-friendly stone used for specific applications.

Soil (often bundled with aggregate delivery)

• Screened topsoil: For raising grades, lawn repairs, and finish shaping.

• Triple mix: For garden beds and planting areas.

Our process (base prep, compaction, drainage)

If you want aggregate that stays put, install quality matters as much as the material itself.

1. Site check + planning
   We look at slope, access, current drainage patterns, and the intended use (pedestrian vs vehicle).

2. Excavation + subgrade prep
   We remove soft/organic material, shape the subgrade, and address problem areas before stone goes down.

3. Separation (when needed)
   If the soil is soft or clay-heavy, we may use a separation fabric to reduce mixing and improve stability.

4. Place aggregate in lifts
   We build the base in layers (lifts) so it compacts evenly and doesn’t settle later.

5. Proper compaction
   We compact using the right equipment for the area and application. This is where many DIY and low-bid jobs fail.

6. Drainage integration
   Where water is a risk, we build in drainage stone and ensure there’s a place for water to go—so it doesn’t sit, freeze, and push your base around.

7. Final grading + clean finish
   We leave it tight, level, and ready for the next phase (interlock, sod, concrete, etc.).

Want it done right the first time? Request a quote for aggregate delivery + professional placement in Mississauga.

Pricing drivers (what actually changes your cost)

Pricing depends on job realities, not “flat rates.” The biggest drivers are:

• Material type (base, clear stone, screenings, soil blends)

• Quantity (volume needed and whether multiple materials are delivered)

• Access (tight gates, long carries, limited parking/loading)

• Excavation depth + soil disposal

• Compaction requirements (number of lifts, equipment needed)

• Drainage scope (stone, fabric, pipe, outlets)

• Timeline constraints (rush scheduling vs flexible)

If you want an accurate quote, dimensions and photos of access make a huge difference.

Typical timeline (delivery → placement → ready for next step)

Most residential Mississauga jobs fit into:

• Delivery only: scheduled based on supplier and truck access. We offer rush service!

• Delivery + placement: Often completed same day for smaller bases and pads.

• Full base build (excavate + rebuild + drainage): Commonly 1–2 days depending on excavation and disposal.

Weather matters—heavy rain or freeze conditions can affect compaction and finishing.

Drainage + freeze–thaw (how we reduce heaving and settling)

In our climate, long-term performance comes down to one thing: water control.

We reduce movement by:

• Building proper slope so surface water doesn’t pool

• Using free-draining stone where water pressure or saturation is expected

• Installing separation fabric when soils are prone to mixing

• Compacting in lifts to prevent future settlement

• Planning outlets for drainage systems so water has a path away from the base

This approach is what keeps patios flatter, pads sturdier, and drive areas from rutting.

Maintenance tips (keeping gravel and stone looking good)

Aggregate surfaces need light upkeep, especially after winter.

• Top up high-traffic zones and edges as needed

• Regrade if you see small low spots forming

• Keep drainage outlets clear (downspouts, grates, catch basins)

• Use edging to prevent spread into grass and beds

• Expect some weed growth over time—windblown seed happens. Fabric helps, but maintenance still matters.

How can I use the cubic yard calculator?

A quick way to estimate:

1. Convert your length × width × depth into volume

2. Account for compaction (dense bases tighten up)

3. Add a small buffer for grade corrections

If you share your measurements, we can help you ballpark the right amount or you can use this cubic yard calculator so you don’t over-order—or come up short mid-job.

What a cubic yard calculator does (and why it saves money)

A cubic yard calculator converts your project dimensions into the volume of material you need—so you don’t over-order and pay for extra dumping, or under-order and get stuck mid-project.

It’s especially useful because landscaping materials are rarely measured the same way homeowners think:

• You picture “a pile,” suppliers sell by volume

• Some materials compact after placement

• Real yards aren’t perfectly flat, so the “math” needs a practical buffer

What you can calculate (the common Mississauga projects)

This keyword usually connects to real jobs like:

• Topsoil and lawn leveling (raising low spots, finish grading)

• Triple mix for garden beds (new beds, refreshed beds)

• Mulch for curb appeal (front beds, tree rings, side yards)

• Gravel/aggregate bases (under interlock, sheds, walkways)

• Decorative stone (clean edging, low-maintenance beds)

• Sand and screenings (leveling layers, hardscape details)

If you want, we’ll sanity-check the depth you’re planning based on how the area is used (foot traffic vs vehicles, drainage zones, etc.).

The formula (simple) + the contractor version (accurate)

Basic cubic yard formula

1. Convert your measurements to feet

2. Cubic feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)

3. Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27

Contractor adjustments that people miss

• Compaction: base materials tighten up once compacted

• Irregular shapes: curves and tapers add material

• Low spots: old grades are rarely consistent

• Waste/overage: moving, spreading, and trimming always costs a bit of volume

Bottom line: the formula gets you close; the jobsite reality gets you correct.

H2: Picking the right depth (topsoil, triple mix, mulch, gravel)

Depth is where most DIY orders go wrong. Here are practical starting points:

• Mulch: enough to cover without smothering plants or spilling onto walkways

• Topsoil for grading/lawn leveling: depends on how much you’re correcting (minor topdress vs reshape)

• Triple mix for beds: deeper for new beds, lighter for refreshes

• Gravel/aggregate base: deeper for load-bearing areas and weak soils

• Decorative stone: enough to reduce weed pressure and keep a clean look, paired with edging

If you tell us the project type and use (garden bed vs base under pavers vs driveway edge), we’ll recommend a depth that’s realistic for Mississauga conditions.

Material options (what your cubic yards could be)

A cubic yard calculator is only useful if you’re ordering the right material. We commonly supply:

• Screened topsoil

• Triple mix

• Mulch (various types/colors)

• Gravel and aggregates (base materials, drainage stone)

• Limestone screenings / sand (hardscape support layers)

• Decorative stone

We can deliver only, or deliver + place + grade depending on what you need.

Our delivery and placement process (base prep, compaction, drainage)

If you want the material to look good and perform well, here’s how we approach it:

1. Site check
   We confirm access, where the truck can drop, and how far material must be moved.

2. Prep work (if required)
   For base materials: excavation, subgrade shaping, and separation fabric where needed.

3. Placement
   We place in a way that matches the goal:

• Beds: even coverage and clean edges

• Soil: rough grade first, then finish grade

• Base: placed in lifts for proper compaction

4. Compaction and drainage
   For gravel/aggregate: compaction in layers and proper slope so water doesn’t sit and cause frost movement.

5. Cleanup
   We leave the site tidy and usable.

Want a quick calculation plus a real quote? Send your dimensions and a photo—we’ll confirm cubic yards and recommend the right material/depth.

Pricing drivers (what changes the cost beyond cubic yards)

Even with the same volume, cost shifts based on:

• Material type (soil vs decorative stone vs base aggregates)

• Quantity (small loads vs bulk)

• Delivery access (tight streets, long carries, backyard-only access)

• Placement labor (spreading, grading, wheelbarrow distance)

• Disposal needs (removing old soil/sod/debris)

• Base prep (excavation depth, compaction, drainage integration)

A calculator estimates volume—our quote accounts for the realities.

Typical timeline (order → delivery → finished look)

Most Mississauga residential material jobs land in these ranges:

• Delivery only: often fastest if access is simple

• Delivery + placement: commonly same day for small-to-medium areas

• Delivery + placement + grading/base work: typically 1–2 days depending on excavation and disposal

Weather affects grading and compaction, especially in wet or freezing conditions.

Maintenance tips (so you don’t have to redo it next season)

• Mulch: refresh as it breaks down and fades; keep it off stems/trunks

• Soil: maintain grade so water runs away from the house; overseed thin spots

• Decorative stone: keep edging tight; remove organic debris so weeds don’t root

• Gravel: regrade/touch up high-traffic lanes; keep drainage paths open