Reviewed, sourced guidance

Driveway calculator questions answered

Published 29 Sept 2026Reviewed 29 Sept 20262 min read

Direct answer

Driveway area is the sum of separate non-overlapping rectangles; sub-base volume multiplies that area by the entered depth, and tonnage appears only when you enter the aggregate density. Planning permission turns on permeable surfacing and front-garden rules in England, with different rules in Wales.

The measurement, sub-base and permission questions behind most driveway calculations, answered within the site’s scope and cited sources.

Key takeaways

Area is measured, never guessed from the house size.
Tonnage needs the supplier density, loose or compacted.
Front-garden paving rules decide permission in England.
Cost bands are publisher estimates, not quotations.

Evidence note

Source-led homeowner information with its scope, limits and commercial status recorded.

View the full evidence note

Produced by: Driveway Calculator
Jurisdiction: Quantity calculations are UK-wide; the front-garden planning prompt covers England only. Rules elsewhere in the UK and restrictions in designated areas are not assessed.
Page scope: Frequently asked questions about driveway measurement, granular sub-base quantities and the England planning prompt.
Default subject: Driveway area and sub-base estimation, surface comparison, the planning position for hard surfacing, and drainage constraints.
Excludes: Planning applications, submissions or planning authority decisions; Structural, drainage or engineering advice; Contractor recommendation, ranking or referral; Prices, quotations or cost estimates for any specific job; Driveway installation, surfacing or groundworks
Published: 2026-09-29
Reviewed: 2026-09-29
Commercial status: Information publisher only. No contractor is active, no lead capture runs, no enquiries are collected and no affiliate links are present.

Answers restate cited sources and tested arithmetic for planning. They are not a specification, a permission decision or a contractor quotation.

How this guidance is produced · Correction submission status

How do I work out the area of my driveway?

Split the outline into separate rectangles that do not overlap, measure each, and add the areas.

A 6 m by 3 m driveway measures 18 square metres; at 150 mm depth its sub-base volume is 2.70 cubic metres before any order allowance.

The calculator shows each rectangle’s area and the shared-depth total, with an explicit allowance you enter.

How do I convert sub-base volume into tonnes?

Tonnes equal volume times density, so the calculator omits tonnage until you enter the density for your chosen aggregate.

Check whether the supplier’s figure applies loose or compacted before ordering, because the two differ.

MOT Type 1 product guides describe the granular sub-base material; they do not set a density for your delivery.

Sources for this section: Materials Market MOT Type 1 product guidance (observed 2026-09-24)Armstrongs Group MOT Type 1 guide (published 2026-04-23; observed 2026-09-24)

What is MOT Type 1 sub-base?

MOT Type 1 is a graded granular sub-base material commonly specified under driveways and other hard surfaces.

Published product guides describe its grading and compaction role; the depth used on your job belongs to the job specification.

The calculator keeps depth as an entered shared value so the specification stays yours, not the tool’s.

Sources for this section: Armstrongs Group MOT Type 1 guide (published 2026-04-23; observed 2026-09-24)Materials Market MOT Type 1 product guidance (observed 2026-09-24)

Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?

In England, laying new permeable surfacing over front gardens is generally permitted development, while larger non-permeable areas need permission under the permeable-surfacing guidance.

Class F of the permitted development order frames the household positioning rules, and the Planning Portal summarises the front-garden position.

Wales has its own rules, and dropping a kerb needs separate council approval; confirm the position for your address with the council.

Sources for this section: GOV.UK, Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens (page updated 2021-11-12; text copyright 2009; observed 2026-09-25)Legislation.gov.uk, Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2 Part 1 Class F (observed 2026-09-25)GOV.WALES, planning permission for patios and driveways (observed 2026-09-25)

How much does a new driveway cost?

Published cost guides exist, but their figures are single-publisher estimates for installed work, not quotations.

MyJobQuote’s 2026 driveway guide and Checkatrade’s cost guide are cited on the cost page with their observation dates.

Material, area, excavation and regional labour all move the figure, so treat any band as orientation before collecting quotes.

Sources for this section: MyJobQuote new driveway cost guide, UK 2026 prices (observed 2026-09-25)Checkatrade, Driveway Costs in the UK (updated April 2026; observed 2026-09-25)

Next steps

Measure each rectangle and enter the shared sub-base depth in the calculator.
Check the permeable-surfacing guidance before changing a front garden.

Sources

Open the calculator