DGA Calculator
Estimate dense-graded aggregate (DGA / crusher run) for driveway and road bases, with tons, cubic yards, and compaction built in.
Quick Answer
DGA (dense-graded aggregate) weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard loose. Multiply area × compacted depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, add about 20–25% for compaction, then multiply by 1.5 for tons. Driveways use a 4–6 inch base.
Dense-Graded Aggregate at a Glance
Also called crusher run, ABC stone, or road base — here are the numbers behind your estimate.
Weight loose in the truck
Compacted depth for a driveway base
Compact in lifts for full density
Price per ton (2026)
Order roughly 20–25% more loose volume than your finished compacted depth, since DGA densifies when it’s rolled and packed.
DGA Calculator (Dense-Graded Aggregate) Guide
The DGA calculator estimates how much dense-graded aggregate you need for a driveway, road, or paver base. Enter your dimensions and it returns cubic yards and tons, with a compaction allowance built in so the material still measures up after it is rolled and packed. DGA is a base material, so ordering a little extra for compaction is the difference between a firm sub-base and a soft one.
DGA — dense-graded aggregate — is a graded blend of crushed stone and stone fines (dust). You will also hear it called crusher run, crush and run, quarry process (QP), ABC stone, or road base. The fines fill the gaps between the larger stones, so when compacted it locks into a hard, load-bearing layer. That is why it is the go-to base under driveways, roads, walkways, and paver patios, unlike clean crushed stone (no fines) which is used where free drainage matters most.
How Much DGA Do You Need?
DGA weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard loose in the truck. Once compacted it densifies further, so order roughly 20–25% more loose volume than the finished compacted layer you want. Depth depends on the load the base has to carry.
Recommended DGA depth by application:
| Application | Compacted DGA depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway / garden path | 3–4" | Light foot traffic |
| Paver / patio base | 4" | Over a firm, well-drained subgrade |
| Residential driveway | 4–6" | Deeper on soft or clay soils |
| Road / heavy traffic base | 8–12" | Placed and compacted in lifts |
DGA vs Crushed Stone vs 2A Modified
The key difference is fines. DGA and Pennsylvania's 2A modified stone both contain stone dust, so they compact into a dense structural base — ideal under pavers, concrete, and driveways. Clean, open-graded stone such as #57 has no fines, so it drains freely but will not compact into a rigid layer. For a limestone-specific base, the limestone base calculator uses the same approach.
How Much Does DGA Cost?
In 2026, dense-graded aggregate runs about $22–$38 per ton before delivery, making it one of the most economical base materials available. To turn tonnage into a project budget, use the gravel cost per ton calculator, and for the finished driveway surface see the driveway stone calculator and stone base calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DGA stone?
DGA stands for dense-graded aggregate — a graded mix of crushed stone and stone fines that compacts into a hard, structural base. It is also known as crusher run, crush and run, quarry process, ABC stone, and road base.
How many tons of DGA are in a cubic yard?
About 1.5 tons per cubic yard loose in the truck. Compacted, effective density is a little higher, which is why you order extra loose volume to reach the finished depth. Use the cubic yards to tons calculator to convert either way.
How much DGA do I need for a driveway?
Most residential driveways use a 4–6 inch compacted DGA base, going deeper on soft or clay soils. For a 12 ft × 40 ft driveway at 5 inches compacted, plan for roughly 9–10 tons after adding a compaction allowance.
Does DGA need to be compacted?
Yes. DGA only reaches its load-bearing strength when compacted, ideally in 2–4 inch lifts with a plate compactor or roller and a little moisture. Moisture content at placement is the biggest factor in reaching full density.
Is DGA the same as crusher run and ABC stone?
Effectively, yes. Dense-graded aggregate, crusher run, crush and run, quarry process, and ABC (aggregate base course) stone all describe a crushed-stone-plus-fines blend used as a compactable base. Exact gradation names vary by region and quarry.