Stone Calculator
Tons and cubic yards of crushed stone for a driveway, path or base
Last updated September 5, 2026
Method: Volume is length × width × depth, converted to cubic yards by dividing cubic feet by 27. Tons are cubic yards × an adjustable density (default 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone).
Included: Square footage, cubic feet, cubic yards, tons and pounds, an optional 10% waste allowance, 50 lb or 0.5 cu ft bag counts, coverage per ton, tons at other depths, and a reference table of common stone grades (#57, #411, #8, #2/#3, stone dust).
Not included: Separate base and sub-base layers (run each layer on its own), edging, delivery fees, and your quarry's exact density. Results are estimates, not a quote.
🪨 Area, depth & stone
2,800 lb per cubic yard, about 104 lb per cubic foot.
🚚 Stone to order (incl. 10% waste)
📐 Coverage check
At 4.0 inches and 1.40 tons per cubic yard, one ton of this stone covers about 58 sq ft. Your 360 sq ft area therefore needs 6.22 tons before waste and 6.84 tons with 10% added for compaction and spillage.
🛒 Order summary
Bulk crushed stone is usually quoted per ton; some yards quote per cubic yard. Order in the unit your supplier uses. Bagged: 249 50 lb bags exact, 274 with 10% waste.
📋 Tons at other depths
Same 360 sq ft footprint and 1.40 t/yd³ density, at the depths people most often use:
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | 2.22 | 3.11 | 3.42 |
| 3" | 3.33 | 4.67 | 5.13 |
| 4" | 4.44 | 6.22 | 6.84 |
| 6" | 6.67 | 9.33 | 10.27 |
| 8" | 8.89 | 12.44 | 13.69 |
🔍 Common crushed stone sizes
| Grade | Size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| #57 crushed stone | 3/4" to 1" | Driveway top layer, drainage, concrete mix |
| #411 / crusher run | #57 plus stone dust | Compacted base under driveways and pavers |
| #8 crushed stone | 3/8" to 1/2" | Walkways, paver leveling, chip seal |
| #2 / #3 large stone | 1 1/2" to 3" | Entrance drives, drainage, erosion control |
| Stone dust / screenings | Fines under 1/4" | Paver setting bed, fill between stones |
Grade numbers follow the common US aggregate sizing used by quarries. Names and exact gradations vary by region, so confirm with your supplier.
Stone calculator: how many tons of crushed stone do you need?
A stone calculator turns the length, width and depth of your project into cubic yards and tons of crushed stone. A 30 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs 4.44 cubic yards, which is about 6.22 tons of #57 stone at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, or roughly 6.84 tons once you add 10% for compaction.
That is the whole job of this crushed stone tonnage calculator: give it a footprint and a depth, pick the grade you are buying, and read off the tons to order. Quarries sell crushed stone by the ton far more often than by the cubic yard, which is why tons lead the result; cubic yards, cubic feet and bag count sit right underneath.
How the calculation works
Every stone estimate is two steps: a volume, then a conversion of that volume to weight. The volume step is:
Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 Length and width are measured in feet, depth in inches (so it is divided by 12 to become feet), and the cubic feet that come out are divided by 27, because a cubic yard is a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube. The weight step multiplies those cubic yards by the density of the stone:
Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons per cubic yard) Loose crushed stone such as #57 runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, which is 2,800 lb per cubic yard or about 104 lb per cubic foot. That is the calculator's default. Crusher run and stone dust contain fines that fill the gaps between pieces, so they pack closer to 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Because the exact number depends on the quarry, the moisture in the pile and how the load was measured, the density field is fully editable: type in whatever your supplier quotes and the tons update instantly.
Worked example: a 30 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches
Say you are re-stoning a single-car driveway that measures 30 ft long by 12 ft wide, and you want a fresh 4-inch layer of #57 stone. Start with the area: 30 × 12 = 360 sq ft. Convert the depth: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft. Volume: 360 × 0.333 = 120 cubic feet, and 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is 4.44 × 1.4 = 6.22 tons, or 12,444 lb. Add the 10% waste allowance and the order becomes 6.84 tons (4.89 cubic yards). If you were buying bags instead, the same job would take 249 bags of 50 lb exact, or 274 bags with waste included, which is a clear signal that this is a bulk-delivery job.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Area | 30 ft × 12 ft | 360 sq ft |
| 2. Depth to feet | 4 in ÷ 12 | 0.333 ft |
| 3. Cubic feet | 360 × 0.333 | 120 cu ft |
| 4. Cubic yards | 120 ÷ 27 | 4.44 yd³ |
| 5. Tons (#57 at 1.4 t/yd³) | 4.44 × 1.4 | 6.22 tons |
| 6. 50 lb bags | 12,444 lb ÷ 50 | 249 bags |
| 7. Order with 10% waste | 6.22 × 1.10 | 6.84 tons (4.89 yd³) |
A second example: a walkway in #8 stone
Smaller stone, smaller job. A garden walkway 40 ft long and 4 ft wide at 3 inches deep is 160 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 40 cubic feet, or 1.48 cubic yards. #8 stone weighs about the same as #57, so at 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is 2.07 tons (4,148 lb), and 2.28 tons with the 10% allowance. In bags, that is 83 bags of 50 lb exact or 92 bags with waste. Two tons is about where bulk delivery starts to beat bagged stone on price, so get a delivered-per-ton quote before loading a cart.
Tons of crushed stone by area and depth
This table gives the tons of crushed stone for common footprints at the four most-used depths, computed with the formula above at 1.4 tons per cubic yard and before any waste allowance. Find your square footage, read across to your depth, then add about 10% when you order:
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.86 t | 1.30 t | 1.73 t | 2.59 t |
| 200 sq ft | 1.73 t | 2.59 t | 3.46 t | 5.19 t |
| 300 sq ft | 2.59 t | 3.89 t | 5.19 t | 7.78 t |
| 500 sq ft | 4.32 t | 6.48 t | 8.64 t | 12.96 t |
| 750 sq ft | 6.48 t | 9.72 t | 12.96 t | 19.44 t |
| 1,000 sq ft | 8.64 t | 12.96 t | 17.28 t | 25.93 t |
| 1,500 sq ft | 12.96 t | 19.44 t | 25.93 t | 38.89 t |
Notice that tonnage scales exactly with both area and depth: 500 sq ft at 4 inches (8.64 tons) needs the same stone as 1,000 sq ft at 2 inches. For crusher run at 1.5 tons per cubic yard, multiply any cell by 1.5 ÷ 1.4, or simply enter 1.5 in the calculator's density field.
Common crushed stone sizes and what they are for
Crushed stone in the US is sold by grade number, and the number tells you the size of the pieces and whether fines are included. The size decides what the stone is good for; the density decides how many tons a given volume weighs. The grades this calculator lists are the ones most homeowners and contractors actually order:
| Grade | Piece size | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| #57 | 3/4" to 1" | Clean, angular, no fines; drains freely, stays loose | Driveway top layer, French drains, foundation drainage, concrete aggregate |
| #411 (crusher run) | #57 plus dust | Stone mixed with fines; compacts into a hard, near-solid layer | Base course under driveways, patios, sheds and pavers |
| #8 | 3/8" to 1/2" | Small angular chips; smooth underfoot, easy to rake level | Walkways, garden paths, paver leveling, chip seal |
| #2 / #3 | 1 1/2" to 3" | Large, heavy pieces; will not wash out, rough to walk on | First lift on soft driveways, construction entrances, drainage ditches, erosion control |
| Stone dust / screenings | Under 1/4" | Fine crushed material; packs tight, holds shape when damp | Setting bed under pavers and flagstone, filling joints, top dressing a base |
Grade names are not perfectly standardized: #411 is also sold as crush and run, CR-6, ABC or road base depending on the region. The presets set a typical density for each grade, but the right move is always to ask the yard what its material weighs per cubic yard and type that number in.
How to use this stone calculator
- Length and width (feet): measure the footprint at its longest and widest points. For a rough or curved area, break it into rectangles and add them, or use the Square Footage Calculator first.
- Depth (inches): enter the compacted thickness you want to end up with. The 2", 3", 4" and 6" buttons cover most paths, patios and driveways.
- Stone type: tap the grade you are buying. Each preset fills in a typical density (1.4 tons per cubic yard for #57, #8 and #2/#3; 1.5 for crusher run and stone dust).
- Density: overwrite the preset with your supplier's number if they give one. The note under the field shows the same density in pounds per cubic yard and per cubic foot.
- Waste allowance: leave it on +10% for a normal order, or switch to Exact if you only want the raw quantity, for example when comparing quotes.
- Bag size: choose 50 lb bags (sold by weight) or 0.5 cubic foot bags (sold by volume) to see how many bags the job would take.
The result updates as you type: the tonnage to order on top, then exact weight and volume, bag count, a coverage check for one ton at your depth, and tons at other depths for the same footprint.
Who this calculator is for
- Homeowners topping up or building a crushed stone driveway, parking pad or fire-pit area.
- Landscapers quoting walkways, dry creek beds, French drains and drainage trenches by the ton.
- Paver and patio installers sizing the crusher run base and stone-dust setting bed as separate layers.
- Contractors ordering #2 or #3 stone for a construction entrance or a soft-ground first lift.
- Anyone comparing quotes who needs the same job in tons for one supplier and cubic yards for another.
Key terms explained
- Ton: in this calculator a US short ton of 2,000 lb, the unit quarries and landscape yards quote for bulk stone.
- Cubic yard (yd³): a 3 ft cube, equal to 27 cubic feet. The other common bulk unit, used more for mulch and soil than for stone.
- Density: the weight of a cubic yard of loose stone. It links the volume you measured to the tons you pay for, and it is the number most likely to differ from the default.
- Fines: the dust and very small particles in a crushed product. Clean stone (#57, #8) has none; crusher run and screenings are full of them, which is why they compact and weigh more.
- Compaction: the settling that happens when stone is spread, tamped or driven on. Compacted depth is less than loose depth, which is the main reason for the waste allowance.
How much area does a ton of stone cover?
Coverage is the tonnage question turned around, and it is handy when a supplier says "you will need about five tons" and you want to check. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one cubic yard covers 27 cubic feet divided by the depth in feet, and one ton covers that area divided by 1.4:
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per ton (1.4 t/yd³) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 | 231 |
| 2 inches | 162 | 116 |
| 3 inches | 108 | 77 |
| 4 inches | 81 | 58 |
| 6 inches | 54 | 39 |
| 8 inches | 40 | 29 |
Denser stone covers less per ton: at 1.5 tons per cubic yard, crusher run covers about 7% less area per ton than the figures above, because each ton is a slightly smaller pile.
Density: tons, pounds and cubic yards side by side
Because the density field accepts any value, it helps to see what the common figures mean in other units. Each row converts one density into pounds per cubic yard, pounds per cubic foot, and the cubic yards you get per ton:
| Tons per yd³ | Lb per yd³ | Lb per cu ft | Yd³ per ton | Tons in 5 yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 2,400 | 88.9 | 0.833 | 6.0 |
| 1.3 | 2,600 | 96.3 | 0.769 | 6.5 |
| 1.4 (default) | 2,800 | 103.7 | 0.714 | 7.0 |
| 1.5 | 3,000 | 111.1 | 0.667 | 7.5 |
| 1.6 | 3,200 | 118.5 | 0.625 | 8.0 |
| 1.7 | 3,400 | 125.9 | 0.588 | 8.5 |
On the 30 ft × 12 ft driveway from the worked example, the same 4.44 cubic yards is 5.78 tons at 1.3, 6.22 tons at 1.4, 6.67 tons at 1.5 and 7.11 tons at 1.6 tons per cubic yard. A density guess that is off by 0.1 moves a driveway-sized order by close to half a ton, which is exactly why the field is editable.
Building a driveway in layers
A crushed stone driveway that lasts is rarely one layer. On firm ground a typical build is about 4 inches of compacted #411 crusher run as the base, then 2 to 3 inches of #57 on top; on soft or wet ground a first lift of #2 or #3 stone goes underneath to bridge the mud. Each layer has its own depth and density, so run the calculator once per layer and add the results. For the 30 ft × 12 ft driveway: a 4-inch base of crusher run at 1.5 tons per cubic yard is 4.44 cubic yards or 6.67 tons, and a 2-inch top of #57 at 1.4 is 2.22 cubic yards or 3.11 tons, for 9.78 tons in total and about 10.76 tons with the 10% allowance. Compact each layer before the next goes down. If the finished surface will be poured rather than left as loose stone, size the base here and the slab with the Concrete Calculator.
Factors that change the result
- Depth: the most sensitive input, because it multiplies the volume directly. Going from 3 to 4 inches on the example driveway raises the order from 4.67 to 6.22 tons; going to 6 inches takes it to 9.33 tons.
- Area: length and width set the footprint. A tape-measure error of one foot on a 12-foot width is an 8% error in the whole order.
- Density: changes the tons but never the cubic yards. It matters whenever you buy by weight, and it is the input that varies most between suppliers.
- Grade of stone: clean stone and stone with fines weigh differently, and fines-rich products also compact more, so both the density and the waste allowance can shift.
- Sub-grade condition: soft, wet or rutted ground swallows stone before you reach the finished depth, sometimes more than the 10% allowance covers.
Practical tips
- Order in the supplier's unit. Most quarries sell by the ton; some landscape yards sell by the cubic yard. Quote the matching number and you avoid rounding disputes at delivery.
- Keep the 10% waste on for any job that will be compacted or driven on. Switch it off only to compare bare quantities between quotes.
- Ask for the density in writing. The scale ticket shows the delivered weight, so knowing the tons per cubic yard lets you check that the pile matches the volume you paid for.
- Buy bulk above about two tons. Bags suit a small path or a drain trench, but at driveway scale the per-ton price of bulk delivery is a fraction of the bagged price.
Limitations and assumptions
- It assumes a level, rectangular area at one uniform depth. Slopes, dips and odd shapes need averaging or splitting into rectangles.
- Density is an estimate. The presets are typical loose values; the actual weight of a cubic yard depends on the quarry, gradation, moisture and compaction, and real loads can differ by 10% or more.
- It calculates one layer at a time. Multi-layer driveways and paver bases need a separate run for each material.
- The 10% allowance is a general figure for compaction and spillage; very soft sub-grade, heavy compaction or a rough existing surface can need more.
- Delivery charges, edging, geotextile fabric, labor and equipment are not included.
Related calculators
Use this stone calculator when the material is crushed, angular stone sold by grade number and priced by the ton. Reach for the Gravel Calculator when you are buying rounded or washed gravel such as pea gravel and want cubic yards as the headline figure; the volume math is identical, but the density presets and the focus differ. For the paver setting bed or a play-sand fill, the Sand Calculator converts the same dimensions at sand's own density. The Cubic Yard Calculator handles any bulk material by volume alone, the Topsoil Calculator and Mulch Calculator cover the softer landscape fills, and the Asphalt Calculator takes over when the stone base gets a paved surface instead of staying exposed.
Sources
- The volume conversion (27 cubic feet per cubic yard, 12 inches per foot, 2,000 lb per US short ton) is a fixed unit relationship and needs no external source.
- Stone densities are typical loose values for crushed limestone and granite products and vary with grade, gradation and moisture. Confirm the exact tons per cubic yard with your quarry or supplier before ordering.
⚠️ Common mistakes & edge cases
Entering depth in feet instead of inches
Depth goes in as inches and is divided by 12 inside the formula. Typing 4 feet when you mean 4 inches produces an order 12 times too large; the reverse leaves you with a twelfth of what you need. Check that the depth field shows a small number.
Using one density for every grade
#57 at 1.4 tons per cubic yard and crusher run at 1.5 differ by 7% on the same volume. On a 4.44 cubic yard driveway that is 6.22 versus 6.67 tons. Pick the matching preset or type the supplier's figure.
Switching off the waste allowance for a real order
The exact figure is for comparing quotes, not for ordering. Compaction and spillage eat about 10%, so an exact order almost always comes up short and triggers a second delivery fee.
Sizing a two-layer driveway as one layer
A 4-inch crusher run base plus a 2-inch #57 top is not the same as 6 inches of #57: the layers have different densities and one of them compacts. Run each layer separately and add the tons.
Confusing a ton with a tonne
This calculator uses the US short ton of 2,000 lb, the unit American quarries quote. A metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb. If a spec sheet or an imported product lists tonnes, the difference is about 10% and it adds up on a large order.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many tons of crushed stone do I need?
Multiply length by width in feet to get square feet, multiply by the depth in feet (inches divided by 12) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the stone's density in tons per cubic yard. A 30 ft x 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep is 360 sq ft x 0.333 ft = 120 cubic feet = 4.44 cubic yards, which at 1.4 tons per cubic yard is about 6.22 tons. Add 10% for compaction and you would order about 6.84 tons.
How many tons is a cubic yard of crushed stone?
Loose crushed stone such as #57 typically weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard. Crusher run (#411) and stone dust contain fines that pack tighter, so they run closer to 1.5 tons or more per cubic yard. Because the figure depends on the quarry, gradation and moisture, the calculator lets you type in your supplier's exact density.
How much area does a ton of stone cover?
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton of crushed stone covers about 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 77 sq ft at 3 inches, 58 sq ft at 4 inches and 39 sq ft at 6 inches. Coverage falls in direct proportion to depth, so doubling the thickness halves the area a ton will cover.
What is #57 stone?
#57 is the most common all-purpose crushed stone grade, with angular pieces roughly 3/4 inch to 1 inch across and no fines. It drains well, spreads easily and is used for driveway top layers, French drains, drainage around foundations and as the coarse aggregate in concrete. It does not lock together as tightly as crusher run, so it is usually laid over a compacted base.
What is the difference between #57 stone and #411 crusher run?
#57 is clean crushed stone with no fines, so it stays loose and drains freely. #411 (often called crusher run or crush and run) is #57-sized stone mixed with stone dust; the fines fill the voids and let the material compact into a hard, stable layer. Use #411 for a base under a driveway, patio or pavers and #57 as a top or drainage layer. Crusher run is also a little heavier per cubic yard, about 1.5 tons versus 1.4.
What is #8 stone used for?
#8 crushed stone is a smaller grade, roughly 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Its small angular pieces make a smooth walking surface, so it is popular for walkways, garden paths and dog runs, and it is the usual choice for leveling under pavers, for chip-seal driveways and as a fine aggregate in some concrete mixes. It weighs about the same per cubic yard as #57.
Should I add 10% waste to my stone order?
Yes, for almost every job. Crushed stone compacts when it is spread and tamped, some disappears into soft sub-grade, and some is lost to spillage and uneven ground. A 10% allowance covers that on a typical level area; very soft ground or a rough sub-grade can need more. Running short means paying a second delivery fee, which costs far more than the surplus.
How many 50 lb bags of stone are in a ton?
A US ton is 2,000 lb, so it takes exactly 40 bags of 50 lb to make one ton. A cubic yard of crushed stone at 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) needs 56 bags of 50 lb. Bags make sense for a small path or a few square feet of drainage, but for a driveway of several tons, bulk delivery by the ton is far cheaper.
How deep should crushed stone be for a driveway?
A gravel or crushed stone driveway is usually built in layers: a compacted base of crusher run about 4 inches thick, often over larger #2 or #3 stone on soft ground, then a top layer of #57 stone 2 to 3 inches thick. Run the calculator once for each layer at its own depth and density and add the tonnages. A single 4-inch layer is the minimum for light car traffic on firm ground.
How do I convert tons of stone back to cubic yards?
Divide the tons by the density in tons per cubic yard. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard, 10 tons of #57 stone is 10 / 1.4 = about 7.14 cubic yards. At 1.5 tons per cubic yard for crusher run, 10 tons is about 6.67 cubic yards. Because the density is an estimate, the cubic yards you get back are an estimate too.
Is a stone calculator the same as a gravel calculator?
They use the same volume math (area x depth / 27 = cubic yards), but this stone calculator is built around tonnage: it puts tons first, lets you type any density, and lists the common crushed stone grades (#57, #411, #8, #2/#3, stone dust). The Gravel Calculator on this site is aimed at rounded and washed gravel and headlines cubic yards. Use whichever matches the material your supplier sells.
How much stone do I need for a 12x12 area?
A 12 ft x 12 ft area is 144 sq ft. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard it needs about 0.89 cubic yards (1.24 tons) at 2 inches deep, 1.33 cubic yards (1.87 tons) at 3 inches and 1.78 cubic yards (2.49 tons) at 4 inches. Add roughly 10% to whichever depth you choose to cover compaction and spillage.
How accurate is this crushed stone calculator?
The volume part (length x width x depth / 27) is exact for a level, rectangular area. The tonnage is an estimate, because the true weight of a cubic yard of crushed stone depends on the grade, how much moisture it holds and how tightly it packs, and real loads can differ by 10% or more. Treat the cubic yards as reliable and the tons as a close approximation, and use your quarry's stated density for the final order.
Can I use this calculator for a circular or odd-shaped area?
Yes, by converting the shape to square feet first. For a circle use 3.1416 x radius squared, for a triangle use half the base times the height, and for an L-shape split it into rectangles and add them. Then enter the total area as a length and width that multiply to that figure (for example 100 sq ft as 10 x 10) and set the depth as usual. The Square Footage Calculator on this site handles the area step.
💡 Good to know
Stone is sold by the ton, so the density is the whole ballgame
The cubic yards never change once you have measured, but the tons you pay for scale directly with density. A 1.4 default is a fair guess for clean crushed stone; the number on your quarry's price sheet is better. Type it in.
Clean stone drains, stone with fines compacts
#57 and #8 have no dust, so water runs through them and they stay loose. #411 crusher run and stone dust are full of fines, so they lock into a hard layer. Pick the grade for the job first and let the calculator set the density.
One ton covers about 58 sq ft at 4 inches
That single figure (at 1.4 tons per cubic yard) is enough to sanity-check most driveway quotes on the spot: divide your square footage by 58 and you have the tons before waste.