Free Crushed Stone Calculator
Use this crushed stone calculator to work out how many tons of stone or road base you need, with extra for compaction.
Crushed stone is angular rock that locks together when compacted, which is why it is used under patios, pavers, sheds and driveways. Common grades include #57 stone (about 3/4 to 1 inch, clean), 3/4 inch minus or "crusher run" (stone plus fines that pack hard) and #411.
Because it compacts, you need more loose stone than the finished depth suggests. The calculator adds 15% by default; change it if your supplier recommends otherwise.
Crushed stone example: a paver patio base
A 12 × 12 ft paver patio base at 4 in deep: 144 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 = 48 cu ft, plus 15% extra = 55.2 cu ft. Divide by 27 to get 2.04 cubic yards, which weighs about 2.86 tons, or 111 × 0.5 cu ft bags.
How deep should crushed stone be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver patio base | 4 in | Compacted, with 1 in of sand on top. |
| Shed base | 4 to 6 in | |
| Walkway base | 4 in | |
| Driveway base | 6 to 8 in | Heavier clay soils may need more. |
Coverage per cubic yard and per bag
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per 0.5 cu ft bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 6 |
| 2 in | 162 | 3 |
| 3 in | 108 | 2 |
| 4 in | 81 | 1.5 |
| 6 in | 54 | 1 |
| 8 in | 41 | 0.8 |
Buying tips
- Spread and compact in layers of about 2 inches with a plate compactor for a firm base.
- Crusher run (stone with fines) packs harder than clean #57 stone but drains less freely. Use clean stone where drainage matters.
- Bulk crushed stone is usually priced per ton. Use the ton figure to compare quotes.
How much does crushed stone weigh?
A cubic yard of crushed stone typically weighs 2,600 to 3,200 lb (1.3 to 1.6 tons). The calculator uses 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) per cubic yard. Moisture and grading change the weight, so if your supplier sells by the ton, ask for their figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 2,600 to 3,200 lb (1.3 to 1.6 tons). Crusher run with fines is at the heavier end.
How much crushed stone do I need for a paver base?
Usually 4 inches compacted. For a 12 × 12 ft patio that is 48 cu ft, about 1.8 cubic yards, or about 2.5 tons before compaction allowance.
What is #57 stone?
A clean, washed crushed stone about 3/4 to 1 inch in size. It drains well and is common under patios, in drainage trenches and as a driveway layer.
How accurate is this crushed stone calculator?
The crushed stone calculator gives the exact volume for the measurements you enter, then adds 15% extra (you can change it). Weights use a typical 1.4 tons per cubic yard; real loads vary with moisture, so confirm with your supplier if you buy by the ton. Measure carefully: an error of one inch in depth changes a 3 inch layer by a third.
How the crushed stone calculator works
Volume = area × depth. Each area is worked out from its shape (length × width, π × radius², or ½ × base × height), converted to square feet, multiplied by the depth in feet, and added up. Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.The extra percentage is then added, and bag counts are rounded up to whole bags. See how we calculate for every figure we use.