Crushed Stone Calculator
Enter the area and depth to get the crushed stone you need — tons, cubic yards, bags, cost breakdown and a printable estimate.
Area dimensions
= 0.333 ft · 101.6 mm · 10.16 cm
Covers spillage, uneven grade and compaction settling. 10% is normal.
You will need
Including 10% waste · 1 area
- Cubic yards
- 1.22
- Cubic feet
- 33.0
- Weight
- 3,300 lb
Order 1.75 tons (bulk, delivered)
Or bag it: 66 × 0.5 cu ft bags (~50 lb each)
| Cost breakdown (bulk) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone (1.65 tons) | $74 |
| Waste (10%) | $7 |
| Delivery | $75 |
| Total | $156 |
| Bagged alternative | Cost |
|---|---|
| 66 × 0.5 cu ft bags | $281 |
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Is this depth right?
4″ suits a standard driveway base
Delivery truckloads
1
10-yd³ dump truck loads
Material weight
3,300 lb
≈ 1,497 kg · at 100 lb/ft³
The short answer
To work out crushed stone for an area, multiply length × width × depth with every measurement in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft area at 4 inches deep is 66.7 cubic feet, or about 2.47 cubic yards — roughly 1.65 tons at a typical density of 100 lb per cubic foot. Add 10% for waste and compaction, then round up to the nearest quarter ton when you order.
Common area sizes
Tons of crushed stone needed for standard area sizes, before waste.
| Area | 2″ deep | 4″ deep | 6″ deep | 0.5 cu ft bags (2″) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.83 tons | 1.67 tons | 2.50 tons | 33 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.67 tons | 3.33 tons | 5.00 tons | 67 |
| 400 sq ft | 3.33 tons | 6.67 tons | 10.00 tons | 133 |
| 600 sq ft | 5.00 tons | 10.00 tons | 15.00 tons | 200 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 8.33 tons | 16.67 tons | 25.00 tons | 333 |
| 1-car driveway (~250 sq ft) | 2.08 tons | 4.17 tons | 6.25 tons | 83 |
| 2-car driveway (~600 sq ft) | 5.00 tons | 10.00 tons | 15.00 tons | 200 |
How much area does a ton cover?
One ton of crushed stone covers about 20 cubic feet at a density of 100 lb/ft³. How far that goes depends entirely on depth.
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 240 sq ft | 1.35 |
| 2 in | 120 sq ft | 1.35 |
| 3 in | 80 sq ft | 1.35 |
| 4 in | 60 sq ft | 1.35 |
| 6 in | 40 sq ft | 1.35 |
| 8 in | 30 sq ft | 1.35 |
How to calculate crushed stone
The maths is simple volume — the part people get wrong is mixing units. Depth is quoted in inches while length and width are in feet, so convert before you multiply, then convert volume to weight.
- Measure the area. Length and width in feet, depth in inches.
- Convert the depth to feet. Divide inches by 12. A 4-inch depth is 0.333 ft.
- Multiply for volume. Length × width × depth gives cubic feet.
- Convert to weight. Multiply cubic feet by density (about 100 lb/ft³), then divide by 2,000 for tons.
- Add waste. Add 10%, then round up to the next quarter ton.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway base, laid 4 inches deep:
- Area20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Depth in feet4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Volume200 × 0.333 = 66.7 cu ft
- Cubic yards66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
- Weight66.7 × 100 ÷ 2000 = 3.33 tons
- Plus 10% waste3.67 tons
- Order (rounded up)3.75 tons
Quarries sell in flexible increments but most drivers round to the nearest quarter ton, so always round up. Running short mid-job means a second delivery fee.
What depth for which project
Depth is driven by what sits on top of it — foot traffic, drainage, or vehicles.
| Depth | Suitable for | Not suitable for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 in | Topping over an existing base, decorative dressing | Any structural use | Refresh layer only |
| 2–3 in | Walkways, garden paths | Vehicles | Compact well, edge-restrained |
| 3–4 in | Patio base, shed base, light driveway topping | Heavy or repeated vehicle loads | Standard base course |
| 4–6 in | Driveway base, French drains, high-traffic paths | Commercial loads | Compact in 2-inch lifts |
| 6–8 in+ | Heavy-duty driveway/parking base, engineered drainage | — | Geotextile fabric strongly recommended |
Before you start: checklist
- Excavate to the right depthAccount for the base layer plus any topping layer, not just the finish depth.
- Grade for drainageSlope the sub-grade slightly away from structures before stone goes down.
- Lay geotextile fabricStops stone sinking into soil and keeps weeds down — essential on soft ground.
- Set edge restraintsPavers, timber or metal edging keep loose stone from migrating off the area.
- Spread in layersCompact in 2-inch lifts rather than dumping the full depth at once.
- Compact each layerPlate compactor for driveways; hand tamper is enough for small paths.
- Check the forecastCompacting saturated stone is far less effective than compacting damp stone.
- Order a little extraLoose stone settles — 10% covers compaction loss and spillage.
Common mistakes
- Mixing inches with feetThe most common error. Depth in inches must be divided by 12 before multiplying.
- Ordering the exact calculated amountUneven grade and compaction settling always eat into the raw number — order a little more.
- Skipping the fabricWithout geotextile fabric, stone sinks into soft soil and the depth disappears within a season.
- Dumping the full depth in one liftThick uncompacted layers never compact evenly. Spread and compact in stages.
- Using the wrong stone sizeLarger angular stone (like crusher run) locks together for a base; smooth pea gravel does not.
- No edge restraintLoose stone migrates onto lawns and walkways within weeks without a border.
- Assuming bags scale like bulkBagged stone costs several times more per ton than bulk delivery — fine for small jobs only.
Installation stages
Stage 1
Excavate & grade
Dig to depth, slope for drainage, compact the sub-grade.
Stage 2
Geotextile fabric
Lay fabric over the sub-grade, overlapping seams by 6 in.
Stage 3
Base layer
Spread larger crushed stone, compact in 2-inch lifts.
Stage 4
Finish layer
Top with finer stone, rake level, compact once more.
Compaction, not just quantity, determines how long a crushed stone surface lasts. A well-compacted 4-inch base outperforms a loose 6-inch one.
Conditions for installation
Install in these conditions
- Dry to slightly damp ground
- No heavy rain forecast for 24 hours
- Ground unfrozen and stable
- Sub-grade well compacted before stone goes down
Postpone if
- Sub-grade is saturated or muddy
- Ground is frozen
- Heavy rain expected during spreading and compacting
- Standing water on the site
Bagged or bulk delivery?
Bagged stone makes sense up to about half a ton — roughly 20 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Past that, bulk delivery is far cheaper per ton and saves an enormous amount of manual handling.
The worked example above needs about 200 bags for a 2-car driveway base — a full day of loading and spreading for two people. Bulk delivery drops the same tonnage in one dump, usually within the hour.
What this calculator assumes
Every estimate here rests on these assumptions. Actual material can vary — check with your supplier for the specific product’s density.
- The area is rectangular and of uniform depth
- Crushed stone density of 100 lb/ft³ (1,600 kg/m³) — typical for compacted 3/4″ crushed stone; varies 90–105 lb/ft³ by material
- Bag yield of 0.5 cu ft (~50 lb) per bag
- No automatic compaction factor beyond the waste percentage you set
- Bulk orders rounded to the nearest quarter ton
- Prices are whatever you enter — they are not live market rates
Common questions
How many tons of crushed stone do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then multiply by about 100 lb/ft³ and divide by 2,000 for tons. A 200 sq ft area at 4 inches deep needs roughly 3.3 tons before waste.
How deep should a crushed stone driveway be?
Most driveways use 4–6 inches of compacted base stone, sometimes with a thinner finish layer on top. Light paths only need 2–3 inches.
What size crushed stone is best for a driveway?
Angular 3/4-inch crushed stone or crusher run compacts and locks together well for a base. Rounded pea gravel shifts underfoot and is a poor choice for driveways.
How much area does a ton of crushed stone cover?
At 100 lb/ft³, a ton covers about 120 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 60 sq ft at 4 inches deep. Coverage halves as depth doubles.
What’s the difference between crushed stone and gravel?
Crushed stone is mechanically crushed rock with angular edges that interlock when compacted. Gravel is naturally rounded from water or weathering, so it compacts less firmly and shifts more underfoot.
Do I need fabric or a sub-base under crushed stone?
On soft or clay soil, yes — geotextile fabric stops the stone sinking into the ground and keeps the layers separated. On firm, well-draining ground it’s less critical but still recommended.
How much does crushed stone cost per ton?
Bulk crushed stone typically runs a modest per-ton rate plus a separate delivery fee, though prices vary widely by region and stone size. Enter your supplier’s quote into the calculator’s pricing fields for an accurate total.
Should I buy bagged or bulk crushed stone?
Bags make sense for small jobs up to about half a ton. Beyond that, bulk delivery is significantly cheaper per ton and avoids dozens of trips carrying bags.
What is the minimum bulk delivery order?
Most suppliers set a minimum load, often a few tons, and may charge a short-load fee below that. Ask before ordering — on a small job that fee can outweigh any savings over bags.
How much extra should I order for waste and compaction?
10% is a reasonable default. It covers spillage, uneven excavation and the settling that happens as loose stone compacts.
Can I install crushed stone in the rain?
Light work is possible, but saturated stone compacts poorly and wet fabric is hard to lay cleanly. Wait for the sub-grade to firm up after heavy rain.
Does this calculator account for compaction automatically?
No — it calculates the volume and weight of the finished, in-place layer. Use the waste/compaction field to add a margin for loose material that settles once compacted.
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Project
| Dimensions | — |
| Depth | — |
| Number of areas | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Volume & weight
| Tons (incl. waste) | — |
| Cubic yards | — |
| Cubic feet | — |
| Estimated weight | — |
Order
| Bulk stone (rounded up) | — |
| 0.5 cu ft bags | — |
Estimated cost
| Crushed stone | — |
| Waste | — |
| Delivery | — |
| Total | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Figures assume a rectangular area of uniform depth and a crushed stone density of 100 lb/ft³. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering. Not a substitute for engineering advice.