tallyspan

REFERENCE / 01

Measure area and depth.

Write down the footprint, the layer depth and what that depth represents. Those three facts matter more than a material’s familiar name.

lengthwidthdiameterdepth ↓layer section

Choose the measurement you actually have

  • Rectangle: length × width. Measure both in the horizontal footprint.
  • Circle: enter the diameter, edge to edge through the centre. Area = π × (diameter ÷ 2)². Entering a radius as the diameter gives one quarter of the intended area.
  • Known area: use an already measured net area in ft², yd² or m². Record how you obtained it in the section name or material notes.

Split irregular footprints without double-counting

Divide an L-shaped bed into rectangles that do not overlap. Curves or cutouts may require an independently measured net area. This planner has no coordinates, map, slope model or automatic overlap detection.

If depth changes, calculate each section at its own depth. Do not average depths across unequal areas: 12 m² at 50 mm and 8 m² at 75 mm each contribute 0.6 m³, totaling 1.2 m³.

Name the depth basis

Loose depth represents material before placement-related reduction. Finished/placed depth represents the intended final layer and may be compacted. It needs a supplier-supported loose-volume multiplier or an explicitly recorded planning assumption.

There is no universal recommended path, driveway or paver-base depth here. Obtain the appropriate design outside this quantity worksheet. Do not use an extra allowance to conceal an unknown placement conversion.

Different materials and intentional layers

Assign each section to a distinct product requirement. Two similar names do not make different grades interchangeable. To estimate separate layers on the same footprint, duplicate the section, name the layer, enter its own depth and assign its material.

A shared material multiplier is appropriate only when its finished sections have the same intended placement condition. Otherwise create separate material requirements.

Check before tallying

  1. Confirm diameter versus radius and inches versus feet.
  2. Check that sections do not accidentally overlap.
  3. Confirm each layer’s product and depth basis.
  4. Record any measurement uncertainty in the source notes; choose an explicit allowance policy.

Enter measured sections → · Understand the next conversion →