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DECORATIVE STONE CALCULATOR

Adding some finishing touches? Our decorative stone calculator takes the guesswork out of ordering gravel, chippings and pebbles for your garden. Enter the width and length of the area you are covering to get the square meterage, or tick Calculate Volume and add a depth to see how many cubic metres, tonnes, bulk bags, mini bulk bags and small bags of decorative stone you will need. Whether you are freshening up borders, laying a new path or covering a driveway, order online from Silverton Builders Merchants for free local delivery across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk when you spend over £20.

Diagram showing how to measure the width, length and depth of an area in metres and millimetres

Width (m):

Length (m):

Calculate Volume

Shop decorative stone

Decorative stone & gravelChippings, cobbles and pebbles in granite, slate, marble and more. Bagged aggregatesBulk, mini bulk and small bags for every project size. Weed control membraneSeparate stone from soil, improve drainage and reduce weeding.

Popular right now:

Cotswold Buff Chippings 20mm - Bulk Bag

Polar White Chippings 20mm - Bulk Bag

Black Ice Chippings 20mm - Bulk Bag

If you have any questions or think something is wrong, give us a call on 01255 446920. This calculator provides estimations so the actual measurements and material quantity should be verified.

HOW TO USE THE DECORATIVE STONE CALCULATOR

Enter the width and length of the area you are covering, in metres.
Press Calculate Area for the square meterage on its own.
To work out how much stone to order, tick Calculate Volume, enter your depth in millimetres (30-50mm is typical for borders and paths) and press Calculate Volume.
The result shows the volume in cubic metres, the approximate tonnage, and the number of bulk bags, mini bulk bags and small bags that make up that weight.
For awkward shapes, split the area into rectangles, calculate each one and add the results together.

WHAT THE DECORATIVE STONE CALCULATOR ASSUMES

Volume is converted to tonnage at 0.6 cubic metres per tonne (about 1.67 tonnes per m³), typical for decorative stone.
A bulk bag holds roughly 0.85 tonnes (850kg), a mini bulk bag 425kg and a small decorative bag 20kg.
There are approximately 42 small decorative bags in a bulk bag.
Coverage is calculated at the depth you enter, laid loose on a level surface. 30-50mm suits most borders and paths; driveways usually need 50mm or more.
No allowance is made for settlement or compaction - add 5-10% on driveways and busy areas.
The calculator does not include weed membrane, which we recommend under decorative stone.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How deep should decorative stone be laid?

30-50mm is typical for borders and paths laid over a weed membrane. Driveways and heavily used areas usually need 50mm or more.

How much does a bulk bag of gravel cover?

A bulk bag holds roughly 0.85 tonnes - about half a cubic metre. At 50mm deep, that covers approximately 10 square metres.

How do I work out how much gravel I need?

Multiply the width by the length of the area to get square metres, then multiply by your depth in metres to get cubic metres. The calculator does this for you and converts the result into tonnes and bags.

Should I allow extra stone for settlement?

Yes - decorative stone settles after laying, so add 5-10% on driveways and busy areas, and rake the stone over occasionally to keep the coverage even.

Do I need a membrane under decorative stone?

We recommend a weed control membrane. It separates the stone from the soil, improves drainage and reduces weeding - see our landscaping fabric range.

Do you deliver decorative stone?

Yes. Delivery is free locally across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk when you spend over £20. Bulk bags are delivered by crane or tipper vehicle — call 01255 446920 to check access.