Site Work & Landscaping
Crushed Stone Calculator
Calculate exactly how much crushed stone you need — in cubic yards / m³, short tons / metric tonnes, bags, and dump truck loads. Choose from six stone types including #57 crushed stone, dense-grade aggregate, limestone, granite, pea gravel, and recycled concrete. Supports rectangular, circular, and custom-area shapes in metric and imperial units.
Crushed Stone Calculator
Volume, weight, bags & truck loads for any stone type
Stone Type
Area Shape
Results
Enter values above to calculate
Stone Layer Diagram
Crushed stone is applied in a layer of uniform depth over the prepared subgrade. Volume = Area × Depth.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Volume
Start with the area of your surface — length × width for rectangular, π × radius² for circular — then multiply by the depth (thickness) of stone you need. Add your waste allowance on top: 10% is standard for driveways and pathways; use 15% for irregular shapes or areas where ground is uneven.
2. Weight
Stone density varies by type and gradation. #57 crushed stone (the most common general-purpose aggregate) is about 1,600 kg/m³ loose. Dense-grade aggregate (#21A) used for driveways and compacted subbase is denser at roughly 1,720 kg/m³. Granite is heaviest (~1,760 kg/m³); pea gravel is lightest (~1,520 kg/m³). Always confirm with your supplier's delivery weight ticket.
3. Recommended Depths by Application
Depth depends on subgrade strength and loading. A residential driveway typically needs 150 mm (6 in) of compacted dense-grade aggregate base plus a 50–75 mm (2–3 in) wearing surface of #57 stone. Walkways and patios need 75–100 mm. French drain trenches require 200–300 mm of clean crushed stone around the perforated pipe. Increase depth for clay subgrades or heavy vehicle traffic.
4. Loose vs Compacted Volume
Crushed stone is delivered loose from the truck. After spreading and compacting (with a plate compactor or roller), it settles 15–25% depending on gradation and compaction effort. #57 stone (open-graded, no fines) compacts less than dense-grade aggregate (which contains fines that fill voids). Always order 10–20% more than your calculated compacted volume to avoid a second delivery.
Recommended Depths by Application
| Application | Depth (mm) | Depth (in) | Best Stone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway base | 150–200 | 6–8" | Dense-grade aggregate (#21A) |
| Driveway wearing course | 50–75 | 2–3" | #57 Crushed stone |
| Walkway / patio base | 75–100 | 3–4" | #57 or dense-grade |
| French drain (around pipe) | 200–300 | 8–12" | #57 or #3 clean stone |
| Decorative landscaping | 50–75 | 2–3" | Pea gravel or crushed granite |
| Building pad / subbase | 200–300 | 8–12" | Dense-grade aggregate |
Worked Example
Gravel driveway: 30 ft × 12 ft, 4 inches of #57 crushed stone, 10% waste.
Choosing and Sizing Crushed Stone
Crushed stone products are not interchangeable, and picking the wrong one undermines the whole installation:
- Angular Faces Lock Together: Crushing produces sharp edges that interlock under compaction, creating a stable load-bearing base that rounded gravel simply cannot match.
- Graded Versus Clean Stone: Crusher run contains fines that bind and compact hard, making it ideal for base. Clean washed stone such as #57 has no fines, so it drains freely but never truly compacts.
- Crusher Run Loses Volume: Material with fines compacts roughly 20% under a plate compactor. Ordering the finished volume without allowing for that leaves the base low.
Benefits of Using This Calculator
Example Calculations
Three scenarios worked through step by step:
Example 1 — Shed Base
Pad 12 ft × 10 ft at 4 in, density 100 lb/ft³, 10% waste.
Area = 120 ft²; depth = 0.333 ft
Volume = 120 × 0.333 = 40 ft³ = 1.48 yd³
With 10% waste = 1.63 yd³ = 44 ft³
Weight = 44 × 100 = 4,400 lb = 2.2 tons
Result: order 2.2 tons of crusher run
Example 2 — French Drain Stone
Trench 50 ft × 1.5 ft × 2 ft deep, #57 clean stone, 10% waste.
Volume = 50 × 1.5 × 2 = 150 ft³ = 5.56 yd³
With 10% waste = 6.11 yd³ = 165 ft³
Weight = 165 × 100 = 16,500 lb = 8.25 tons
Clean stone drains but does not compact
Result: about 8.3 tons of #57
Example 3 — Truck Loads
Driveway base requiring 34 tons, tandem dump carrying 12 tons.
Loads = 34 ÷ 12 = 2.83 → 3 loads
Two full loads plus one partial
Ask about a full third load to avoid a part-load fee
Result: 3 deliveries, about 36 tons if rounded up
Selection Tip
Selection Tip
Use crusher run where you need a hard compacted base and clean washed stone such as #57 where you need drainage — and never substitute one for the other. Clean stone under a shed will shift underfoot forever, while crusher run in a French drain clogs with fines and stops draining within a season.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much crushed stone do I need for a driveway?
- For a typical residential driveway base, plan for 150 mm (6 inches) of compacted dense-grade aggregate. A 30 ft × 12 ft driveway (360 ft²) at 6" depth requires about 6.7 yd³ (5.1 m³) or roughly 10 short tons. Add 10% waste for a total order of ~7.4 yd³.
- What is the difference between #57 stone and dense-grade aggregate?
- #57 crushed stone is a clean, open-graded aggregate (3/4" to 1" size, no fines) used for drainage, pipe bedding, and wearing surfaces. Dense-grade aggregate (DGA / #21A) contains a blend from 1" down to dust — the fines fill voids and it compacts tightly, making it ideal for driveways, parking pads, and compacted subbase under concrete or asphalt.
- How many tons of crushed stone fit in a dump truck?
- A standard residential dump truck carries 10–14 short tons (9–13 metric tonnes) of crushed stone. A tri-axle dump truck can carry 14–16 tons. Always confirm payload capacity with your supplier before ordering — weight limits vary by truck and permit.
- Does crushed stone compact? How much extra should I order?
- Yes. Crushed stone compacts 15–25% when spread and compacted with a plate compactor or roller. Order at least 10% extra to account for compaction and waste. For #21A dense-grade aggregate, plan for 20% extra since it compacts more aggressively than clean stone.
- What units does the calculator support?
- The calculator supports metric (dimensions in metres, depth in millimetres, results in m³ and metric tonnes) and imperial (dimensions in feet, depth in inches, results in yd³ and short tons). Toggle between systems using the switch at the top.
- What is crusher run?
- Crushed stone that still contains all its fines and dust, graded from roughly 3/4 in down to powder. The fines fill the voids between larger pieces so it compacts into a dense, hard, load-bearing layer — the standard choice for driveway and slab bases.
- What is #57 stone used for?
- Clean washed stone roughly 3/4 to 1 in with no fines, used wherever free drainage is the priority: French drains, septic fields, under slabs as a capillary break, and as backfill behind retaining walls. It does not compact into a firm surface.
- How many tons of crushed stone in a cubic yard?
- About 1.35 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone type and moisture. At 100 lb/ft³ a cubic yard is 2,700 lb or 1.35 tons; denser granite products can reach 1.5 tons per yard.
- How much does a dump truck of stone hold?
- A tandem-axle dump typically carries 10 to 14 tons, roughly 7 to 10 cubic yards. Smaller single-axle trucks manage 5 to 7 tons. Knowing the truck capacity helps you order in whole loads and avoid partial-load surcharges.
- Does crushed stone need compacting?
- Crusher run and other graded products do, in lifts of 3 to 4 inches with a plate compactor or roller. Clean washed stone cannot be meaningfully compacted — it is placed and levelled, and gains its stability from angular interlock alone.