Crusher Run Calculator
A crusher run calculator turns L × W × depth into cubic yards (÷ 27), then tons at 1.5 t/yd³. A 20 × 10 ft base 4 in deep needs 3.70 tons, 4.07 with 10% extra.
What your order looks like
One bulk delivery is usually easier than hauling it yourself.
2.47 yd³ · 3.7 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 crusher run do I need?
A crusher run calculator works out how many tons to order by finding the volume first and then the weight. Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.5. A 20 × 10 ft paver base 4 inches deep is 2.47 cubic yards, which is 3.70 tons, or 4.07 tons with the 10% waste box ticked. At $40 per ton that is $148.15, or $162.96 with waste.
Crusher run is the go-to base under pavers, sheds, slabs, and gravel driveways because it locks together when compacted. It is sold by the ton at most quarries, so the tons figure is the one to quote when you call.
The formula in plain words
- Volume in cubic feet = length × width × depth in feet (inches ÷ 12).
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × 1.5.
- With waste = tons × 1.10, if ticked.
- Cost = tons × price per ton.
The 1.5 tons per cubic yard is a typical figure. Moisture, rock type, and how much dust the plant leaves in all change it, so use your supplier’s number if they give one.
Worked examples
Paver patio base: 20 × 10 ft, 4 in, $40/ton
- Cubic feet: 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 ft³
- Cubic yards: 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Tons: 2.47 × 1.5 = 3.70 tons, $148.15
- With 10%: 4.07 tons, $162.96
Gravel driveway base: 60 × 12 ft, 6 in, $40/ton
- Cubic feet: 60 × 12 × 0.5 = 360 ft³
- Cubic yards: 360 ÷ 27 = 13.33 yd³
- Tons: 13.33 × 1.5 = 20.00 tons, $800.00
- With 10%: 22.00 tons, $880.00
Twenty-plus tons is usually two truckloads. Ask the quarry how much their trucks carry before booking delivery.
Coverage per ton of crusher run
| Compacted depth | Sq ft per ton | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 108 | 0.93 |
| 3 in | 72 | 1.39 |
| 4 in | 54 | 1.85 |
| 6 in | 36 | 2.78 |
| 8 in | 27 | 3.70 |
Typical base depths
| Project | Crusher run depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway pavers | about 4 in | Plus 1 in of bedding sand |
| Patio pavers | 4 to 6 in | Deeper on clay or in frost areas |
| Shed pad | 4 to 6 in | Extend about 1 ft past the shed |
| Driveway | 6 in or more | Often over a coarser bottom layer |
| Under a concrete slab | about 4 in | Check local code and slab design |
Crusher run vs other base stones
| Material | Calculator density | Compacts? | Drains? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run | 1.5 t/yd³ | Yes, very firm | Slowly |
| Road base | 1.5 t/yd³ | Yes | Slowly |
| #57 stone | 1.35 t/yd³ | Only slightly | Freely |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 t/yd³ | No, it rolls | Freely |
Pick crusher run when the job needs a hard, level layer that will not shift. Pick clean stone when water has to pass through.
How to measure
- Measure the excavated area, not just the finished surface. Paver bases should extend past the edge, often 6 in or more.
- Use compacted depth for planning, then raise the waste to cover compaction loss.
- Split odd shapes into rectangles and add the tons together.
- For a full layered paver build, the paver base calculator handles base and sand together.
Common mistakes
- Ordering by the loose depth. Four inches of loose crusher run compacts to less. Order extra.
- Laying it all at once. A plate compactor only firms the top few inches. Compact in lifts of about 2 to 4 in.
- Spreading it bone dry. Light watering helps the fines bind. Too wet turns it to mud.
- Using it where you need drainage. The fines slow water. For French drains or under-slab drainage, use clean stone such as #57.
Planning a whole driveway? Use the gravel driveway calculator. For heavier road-grade material, see the road base calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is crusher run made of?
Crusher run is crushed stone straight from the crusher with the stone dust left in, usually topping out around ¾ in. Names vary by region: dense grade aggregate, quarry process (QP), crushed aggregate base, and #21A are all close relatives. The fines fill the gaps between stones so it compacts into a hard layer.
How much does a ton of crusher run cover?
At 1.5 tons per cubic yard, one ton is 18 cubic feet. That covers about 108 sq ft at 2 inches, 72 sq ft at 3 inches, 54 sq ft at 4 inches, and 36 sq ft at 6 inches, before waste or compaction.
Why is crusher run heavier than plain gravel?
The fines pack into the spaces between larger stones, so there is less air in each cubic yard. This calculator uses 1.5 tons per cubic yard for crusher run, compared with 1.4 for standard gravel and 1.35 for clean #57 stone.
How deep should a crusher run base be?
About 4 inches compacted is common under patio pavers and walkways, and 4 to 6 inches or more for driveways and parking pads, often more on soft clay. Lay anything over about 4 inches in two or more lifts, compacting each one.
Do I compact crusher run before adding pavers or asphalt?
Yes. Spread it slightly damp and run a plate compactor over each lift until it stops settling. Uncompacted crusher run will sink under pavers or tires and leave dips.
Should I add extra for waste with crusher run?
Tick the 10% box at minimum. Crusher run loses height as it compacts, so many installers order 15 to 20% over the loose volume for a compacted base. The 20 × 10 ft example goes from 3.70 to 4.07 tons with 10% added.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.