How to use the stone calculator
- Enter the area as a rectangle, circle, triangle or known total.
- Enter the finished depth of the stone layer.
- Select the stone size. Each option loads a typical bulk density, because quarries sell crushed stone by the ton.
- Set compaction. Leave 10% for clean stone that you will tamp, raise it to 15–20% for crusher run with fines, or set 0 for loose decorative use.
The crushed stone formula
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × (1 + compaction %) × (1 + waste %)
Tons = cubic yards × 27 × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000
The Engineering ToolBox lists crushed stone at 1,602 kg/m³ (100 lb/ft³, 1.35 tons per cubic yard) and broken limestone at 1,554 kg/m³ (97 lb/ft³). Graded products with fines, such as crusher run, pack tighter and weigh more, typically 1.4–1.5 tons per yard loose.
Crushed stone sizes explained
Stone "numbers" come from the ASTM D448 / AASHTO M43 size gradations used by most U.S. quarries:
- #3: about 2 to 1 inch. Base layer for driveways and construction entrances.
- #57: about 1 inch down to 3/16 inch. The all-purpose clean stone for drainage, driveway top layers, shed pads and under concrete.
- #67: 3/4 inch down to 3/32 inch, slightly finer than #57.
- #8: 3/8 inch down to about 3/32 inch. Paver bedding for permeable pavers, pipe bedding, paths.
- #411 / crusher run: #57 stone blended with stone dust. Compacts hard; the regional name varies (crusher run, road base, dense grade, QP).
Worked example: shed or patio base
A 20 × 10 ft base of #57 stone, 4 inches deep, with 10% compaction and 5% waste:
- Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume: 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cu ft → × 1.10 × 1.05 = 77.0 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 77.0 ÷ 27 = 2.85 yd³
- Tons at 100 lb/ft³: 7,700 lb = 3.85 tons
Bagged, that would be 154 bags of 0.5 cu ft — bulk delivery is far cheaper above about one yard.
How much area does a ton of stone cover?
At 100 lb/ft³, 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.
Tips for ordering crushed stone
- Ask for the quarry's own tons-per-yard figure. It can differ 10% from these defaults, and you pay by weight.
- Clean stone drains, crusher run compacts. Use #57 or #3 where water must pass through; use crusher run where you need a firm, flat surface.
- Lay geotextile fabric on clay or soft soil so stone does not sink.
- Compact in 2–4 inch lifts with a plate compactor for bases under pavers or sheds.
For washed decorative stone in beds, see the landscape rock calculator; for a mixed driveway, the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of crushed stone are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons for clean stone such as #57, and 1.4–1.5 tons for crusher run or #411 with fines.
How much crushed stone do I need for a 10x10 area?
At 4 inches deep, 100 sq ft needs 33.3 cu ft, or 1.23 cubic yards, which is about 1.7 tons of #57 stone before compaction and waste.
What size crushed stone is best for a driveway?
A common build is 4–6 inches of #3 or crusher run as the base, topped with 2–4 inches of #57 or crusher run.
What is the difference between #57 and #411 stone?
#57 is clean stone around 3/4 inch with no fines, so it drains. #411 is #57 mixed with stone dust, so it compacts into a firm surface but drains less.
How many bags of crushed stone are in a ton?
At 100 lb/ft³, a ton is 20 cu ft, so 40 bags of 0.5 cu ft or 40 bags of 50 lb.