Crushed Stone Calculator
A crushed stone calculator finds cubic yards (L × W × depth ÷ 27) and multiplies by 1.35 t/yd³. A 20 × 10 ft area 4 in deep needs 3.33 tons, or 3.67 with 10%.
What your order looks like
One bulk delivery is usually easier than hauling it yourself.
2.47 yd³ · 3.3 tons
34 wheelbarrow trips (2 cu ft each)
5 pickup loads (0.75 ton each)
1 small dump truck load (6 tons each)
Rules of thumb: A wheelbarrow trip is 2 cubic feet of heavy material, about 200 lb, a load most people can push. A pickup load is 0.75 ton, the payload of a full-size half-ton pickup (1,500 lb). A small single-axle dump truck carries about 6 tons.
How much crushed stone you need
A crushed stone calculator converts the size of your project into the tons a quarry will load. Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Tons = (L × W × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.35. A 20 × 10 ft area 4 inches deep needs 3.33 tons, or 3.67 tons with the 10% allowance ticked.
The cost line multiplies tons by your price per ton.
What “crushed stone” means at a quarry
Crushed stone is quarried rock, often limestone, granite, or trap rock, run through crushers and screens into size grades. Each grade has a number. The calculator’s 1.35 tons per cubic yard fits clean, single-size grades like #57. Mixes with fine dust, such as crusher run, are heavier and have their own calculator.
The angular faces matter. They bite into each other, so the layer holds its shape on a slope and under a car tire.
Worked examples
Example 1: Patio or shed base, 20 × 10 ft, 4 in, $45 per ton
- Volume: 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 ft³ ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Tons: 2.469 × 1.35 = 3.33 tons
- With 10% extra: 3.67 tons, costing $165.00 ($150.00 without it)
Example 2: Drainage trench, 50 ft long, 1 ft wide, 18 in deep, $45 per ton
- Volume: 50 × 1 × 1.5 = 75 ft³ ÷ 27 = 2.78 yd³
- Tons: 2.778 × 1.35 = 3.75 tons
- With 10% extra: 4.13 tons, about $185.63
A perforated pipe in that trench takes up a little space, so 3.75 tons is slightly generous. That is fine for drainage stone.
Coverage of one ton
| Depth | Area per ton | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | ~120 sq ft | 0.83 |
| 3 in | ~80 sq ft | 1.25 |
| 4 in | ~60 sq ft | 1.67 |
| 6 in | ~40 sq ft | 2.50 |
Net figures at 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Crushed stone sizes and uses
| Grade | Approx. size | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2–4 in | Construction entrances, bottom of road builds |
| #3 | 1–2 in | Driveway base layer, larger drainage |
| #57 | about ½–1 in | French drains, shed and paver bases, top dressing |
| #67 | about ⅜–¾ in | Concrete aggregate, drainage, paths |
| #8 | about ⅜–½ in | Paver joints and bedding, small drainage |
| Screenings / dust | under ¼ in | Bedding for pavers and flagstone |
Size bands vary between states and quarries. Ask your supplier what their numbered grade actually contains.
How to measure
- Measure length and width in feet. Break odd shapes into rectangles.
- Use the finished depth. For compacted bases, the 10% allowance covers some of the settling.
- For trenches, enter the trench length, trench width in feet, and stone depth in inches.
- Round your order up to what the yard sells, often half or whole tons.
Common mistakes
- Using clean stone where you need a hard surface. Clean #57 drains well but stays loose on top. Use crusher run when you want a firm, packed surface.
- Laying stone on bare soil. Soil works up into the voids and blocks drainage. A geotextile underneath helps.
- Confusing tons and yards. A yard of crushed stone is 1.35 tons, not 1.
- Skipping the allowance on a compacted base. Compaction always eats some height.
Related calculators
Building a drain? The French drain gravel calculator accounts for the pipe. For a shed, use the gravel shed base calculator. For mixed gravel types and shapes, the gravel calculator covers circles and triangles too.
Frequently asked questions
How much crushed stone do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards, and multiply by 1.35 tons per cubic yard. A 20 × 10 ft area 4 inches deep is 2.47 yd³, or 3.33 tons, and 3.67 tons with a 10% allowance.
How much area does a ton of crushed stone cover?
At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, one ton is 20 cubic feet. That covers about 120 sq ft at 2 inches, 80 sq ft at 3 inches, 60 sq ft at 4 inches, and 40 sq ft at 6 inches, before any allowance.
How is crushed stone different from regular gravel?
Crushed stone is broken from larger rock by a crusher, so every piece has sharp, fractured faces. Natural gravel is often rounded by water. Angular faces lock together under load and stay put, which is why crushed stone is used for bases, drainage beds, and driveways.
Why does crushed stone weigh slightly less per yard than gravel?
This calculator uses 1.35 tons per cubic yard for clean crushed stone and 1.4 for standard gravel. Angular pieces without fines leave more air between them than mixed or rounded material, so a yard of crushed stone holds a little less rock.
What depth of crushed stone should I use?
Two to three inches works for paths and decorative cover. Four inches is common under sheds, patios, and slabs. Driveways usually need 4 to 6 inches or more, placed in compacted layers about 4 inches thick.
Do I need to compact crushed stone after spreading it?
For any surface that carries weight, yes. A plate compactor settles the pieces into a tighter, firmer layer. Clean stone such as #57 compacts less than stone with fines, so it is often chosen for drainage rather than as a top surface.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.