Crushed Stone Calculator
Work out how much crushed stone you need for a driveway, patio base, or drainage layer — in cubic yards, tons, and bags, with the density and formula shown.
You need · incl. +10% extra
- Cubic feet
- 18.33 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 0.52 m³
- Pounds
- 1,901 lb
- Kilograms
- 862 kg
- Area
- 100 ft²
- Exact volume
- 0.62 yd³
- Density
- 1.4 t/yd³
- Bag size
- 0.5 ft³ bag
Order about 10% extra for compaction, an uneven subgrade, and spillage — bump it to 15% for a long driveway or a sloped site.
Driveways and patio bases: 4–6 in over a compacted subgrade, placed in 2–3 in lifts. Drainage and decorative layers: 2–3 in.
The formula & constants
Volume = Area × Depth. Convert to cubic yards (1 yd³ = 27 ft³), then Tons = Cubic yards × Density (crushed stone ≈ 1.4 tons/yd³).
| Crushed Stone density (working value) | 1.4 tons/yd³ |
| Typical range | 1.3–1.7 tons/yd³ |
| Cubic-yard conversion | 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ |
| Recommended overage | +10% |
Crushed Stone subtypes & their densities
| Subtype | Density |
|---|---|
| #57 stone (3/4") | 1.4 tons/yd³ |
| Crusher run / #411 | 1.5 tons/yd³ |
| #8 (3/8") | 1.45 tons/yd³ |
| Dense-grade road base | 1.5 tons/yd³ |
Source: Typical crushed stone bulk density (~1.3–1.7 tons/yd³), per Omni Calculator. Densities vary with moisture and compaction — the weight figure is an estimate.
How much crushed stone do you need?
Crushed stone is angular rock from a quarry — the sharp faces lock together and compact into a stable load-bearing layer, which is why it is the go-to base under driveways, patios, and retaining walls. Rounded gravel shifts under load; crushed stone does not, so for anything structural reach for crusher run or a dense-grade base rather than smooth pea gravel.
Match the stone to the job. Clean, single-size stone like #57 has lots of voids, so it drains freely and is ideal for French drains and the open base of a permeable patio. Crusher run mixes stone with fine dust that packs to a near-solid surface — the right choice for a driveway base or a paver sub-base. The calculator estimates tons either way; pick the subtype that matches your material so the weight is accurate.
Build depth in lifts. A driveway base wants 4–6 inches of compacted stone over a firm subgrade, placed and tamped in 2–3 inch layers rather than dumped all at once — a thick single lift never compacts properly and ruts later. Suppliers quote crushed stone by the ton, so use the tons figure when you order.
Frequently asked questions
How much crushed stone do I need?+
Multiply your area (length × width in feet) by your depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 for US tons. Enter your dimensions and depth above and the calculator does all of it live.
How many tons of crushed stone are in a cubic yard?+
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical crushed stone, though it ranges from roughly 1.3 to 1.7 tons depending on the stone size and moisture. Denser graded bases run heavier than clean single-size stone.
How deep should crushed stone be for a driveway?+
Build up 4–6 inches of compacted stone over a firm subgrade for a residential driveway, placed in 2–3 inch lifts. A patio or shed base needs about 4 inches compacted; a decorative or drainage layer only needs 2–3 inches.
What is the difference between #57 stone and crusher run?+
#57 is clean, single-size (about 3/4 in) stone with no fines — it drains freely and is great for drainage and as a permeable base. Crusher run (#411) mixes stone with rock dust that compacts to a hard, near-solid surface, making it the better structural base for driveways and pavers.
How much does a yard of crushed stone weigh?+
Roughly 2,600–3,400 lb (about 1.3–1.7 US tons) per cubic yard, depending on the stone type and how wet it is. The calculator uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard as a general working figure.
How much area does a ton of crushed stone cover?+
About one cubic yard of crushed stone (≈1.4 tons) covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Coverage halves as you double the depth.
Is crushed stone the same as gravel?+
Not quite. Crushed stone is mechanically crushed quarry rock with sharp, angular faces that lock together; gravel is naturally rounded and shifts more under load. They weigh about the same, but crushed stone compacts into a more stable base.
What size crushed stone is best for a base?+
For a compacted structural base, use crusher run or a dense-grade aggregate that includes fines so it packs solid. For drainage or a permeable layer, use clean #57 stone, which has the void space water needs to move through.
Should I order extra crushed stone?+
Yes — add about 10% to cover compaction, an uneven subgrade, and spillage, and 15% for a long driveway or a rough, sloped site. The calculator includes an adjustable overage line.
Is this crushed stone calculator free?+
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to a server or stored.