How much crushed stone you need
Find the volume from area and depth: cubic yards = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. A 20 × 10 ft area at 4 inches deep is about 2.47 cubic yards. Crushed stone weighs roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard, so that's about 3.3 tons.
How to use this calculator
Enter length, width and depth. The result shows cubic yards, estimated tons, and cubic feet. Crushed stone is sold both ways, so the tonnage helps when a supplier prices by weight. Measure the area first with the square footage calculator.
Density and extra
Weight varies with stone size and moisture — this tool uses about 1.35 tons per cubic yard; confirm with your supplier. Add about 5–10% for compaction and spillage. For pea gravel or decorative rock, see the gravel and river rock calculators.
Order the right grade as well as the right quantity. A dense-graded product such as crusher run contains stone dust that binds and compacts hard, while clean washed stone drains freely but never knits together. Using clean stone where a compacted base was needed is the most common and most expensive mistake on this job. Suppliers sell by the yard, which the square feet to cubic yards calculator converts to.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate crushed stone?
- Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 for tons.
- How many tons is a cubic yard of crushed stone?
- About 1.35 tons, though it varies with stone size and moisture. Confirm with your supplier.
- What depth of crushed stone do I need?
- Driveways are often 4 inches per layer with a deeper total base; paths and bedding use 2–3 inches.
- Should I order extra?
- Yes, about 5–10% for compaction and spillage.
- What is the difference between crushed stone and gravel?
- Crushed stone is machine-broken, so its angular faces lock together and compact into a firm base. Gravel is naturally rounded and stays loose, which drains well but shifts underfoot.