We are Hebei Leeter Import and Export Co., Ltd ("Leeter"), a gabion and wire mesh manufacturer in Dingzhou, Hebei, exporting since 2006. This guide is purely the fill-quantity math — for stone size and grading rules, see our gabion box vs reno mattress guide.

Stone quantity by basket size

Volume is the straight geometric product of length × width × height. Tonnage uses 1.5–1.8 t/m³ (mid-point 1.6), and the actual mass shifts with rock type and how tightly it is packed.

Basket (L × W × H) Volume (m³) Volume (yd³) Stone (tonnes @ 1.5–1.8)
2 × 1 × 1 m 2.0 2.62 3.0 – 3.6
1 × 1 × 1 m 1.0 1.31 1.5 – 1.8
2 × 1 × 0.5 m 1.0 1.31 1.5 – 1.8
1.5 × 1 × 1 m 1.5 1.96 2.25 – 2.7
3 × 1 × 1 m 3.0 3.92 4.5 – 5.4
1 × 1 × 0.5 m 0.5 0.65 0.75 – 0.9
Reno mattress 6 × 2 × 0.3 m 3.6 4.71 5.4 – 6.5
Reno mattress 6 × 2 × 0.23 m 2.76 3.61 4.1 – 5.0
Reno mattress 6 × 2 × 0.17 m 2.04 2.67 3.1 – 3.7

Watch the half-height box: 2 × 1 × 0.5 m is 1 m³, not 2 m³ — a common ordering error that doubles the stone bill.

Why bulk density, not solid-rock density

A gabion is a cage of loose rock, so a large fraction of its volume is empty space between stones. The porosity of a filled gabion is about 30–40% (typically 35% when machine- or hand-packed), which means only about 0.6–0.7 m³ of every cubic metre is actual rock. Run the geotechnical check: solid rock weighs about 26 kN/m³, and at 35% voids the gabion weighs 26 × (1 − 0.35) ≈ 16.9 kN/m³ ≈ 1.72 t/m³ — right inside the 1.5–1.8 t/m³ field range.

That is why using the solid-rock density of 2.6–2.8 t/m³ overstates your order by roughly 60%. Two practical levers move you within the range:

  • Grading: well-graded angular stone (a mix of sizes) packs tighter, fewer voids, more tonnes per m³. Single-size rounded cobbles pack looser and weigh less.
  • Placement: hand-packed or vibrated faces hold about 5–10% more stone than loose-tipped fill.

Because both vary by job, quote a range and state your void assumption (35%) rather than a single hard number.

How much stone for a wall — worked example

Take a retaining wall 10 m long × 1 m high × 0.5 m thick = 5.0 m³ of gabion.

  • Baskets: wall volume ÷ basket volume. With 2 × 1 × 0.5 m boxes (1 m³ each) that is 5 baskets; with 1 × 1 × 0.5 m boxes (0.5 m³) it is 10.
  • Stone: 5.0 m³ × 1.5–1.8 t/m³ = 7.5–9.0 tonnes (about 8 t at 1.6). Add ~5% overfill and round up — order roughly 9–10 tonnes delivered.

Two conversions worth memorising:

  • 1 m³ of finished wall ≈ 1.6 tonnes of stone (range 1.5–1.8)
  • 1 m² of exposed face at 0.5 m thick ≈ 0.8 tonnes of stone

Overfill, lacing and bracing

  • Overfill about 5% (5–10%) above the top of the cage before closing the lid, so the fill settles level rather than dishing — mound the top layer, especially on visible faces.
  • Bracing (connecting) wires tie opposing faces to stop the basket bulging — install guides call for roughly 4 bracing wires per m² of exposed face, tensioned with a windlass, or preformed U-clips at a similar rate.
  • Lacing wire runs continuously along every seam, roughly every 100–150 mm. The exact kg of lacing wire per basket varies with basket size, mesh and joining method (tie wire vs C-rings/spiral binders) — take that figure from your supplier's packing data rather than a rule of thumb.

Sourcing gabions for import

Gabions are one of the most freight-efficient civil products because the two halves of the job separate cleanly:

  • Steel baskets ship fold-flat (knocked-down) from the factory — light and dense-packing, so many units fit a container. Confirm the fold-flat pallet and container quantities with the supplier for your mesh and gauge, rather than assuming a count.
  • Stone is sourced locally at destination. It is never economic to ship rock internationally, so the tonnage tables above are your local stone-purchasing spec — the importer buys cages abroad and gravel at home.

When ordering baskets, specify unit type (box or mattress), dimensions, mesh size, wire diameter and coating (heavy galvanized, Galfan or PVC over galvanized — see our gabion coatings guide), quantity, and whether you need extra lacing and bracing wire. As the manufacturer we supply hexagonal double-twist and welded gabions with matched lacing and bracing wire, fold-flat for efficient container loading.

Frequently asked questions

How much stone do I need to fill a gabion?

Multiply the basket volume by about 1.5–1.8 tonnes per cubic metre (use 1.6 as a default). A 2 × 1 × 1 m box (2 m³) takes roughly 3.0–3.6 tonnes, a 1 × 1 × 1 m box about 1.5–1.8 tonnes, and a 2 × 1 × 0.5 m box (which is 1 m³, not 2) about 1.5–1.8 tonnes. Add around 5% for settlement.

Why isn't gabion stone density the same as solid rock density?

Because a gabion is loose rock in a cage, and about 30–40% of its volume is empty space between stones. Solid granite or limestone is about 2.6–2.8 t/m³, but a filled gabion holds only ~0.6–0.7 m³ of rock per cubic metre, so its bulk density is about 1.5–1.8 t/m³. Using the solid figure overstates your stone order by roughly 60%.

How many tonnes of rock are in a 2x1x1 gabion?

About 3.0–3.6 tonnes, taking the 2 m³ volume at an in-gabion bulk density of 1.5–1.8 t/m³. Expect the higher end with well-graded angular stone that is hand-packed, and the lower end with single-size rounded cobbles that are loose-tipped. Order a little over the mid-point (about 3.2 t) to allow for settlement.

How much stone for a gabion wall?

Multiply the wall's volume by the bulk density. A 10 m × 1 m × 0.5 m wall is 5 m³, which needs about 7.5–9.0 tonnes of stone (roughly 8 t at 1.6 t/m³) and, for example, five 2 × 1 × 0.5 m baskets. As a rule of thumb, 1 m³ of finished wall takes about 1.6 tonnes, and 1 m² of a 0.5 m-thick face takes about 0.8 tonnes.

Do I buy the stone with the gabion baskets?

No. Steel gabion baskets ship fold-flat from the factory, but stone is bulky and heavy and is always sourced locally at the project — it is never economic to ship rock internationally. So an importer buys the cages abroad and procures 100% of the fill from a local quarry, using the tonnage figures above as the purchasing spec.

Sources