How much crushed stone do I need?
Crushed stone forms drainage layers, driveway surfaces, and compactable bases under slabs and pavers.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 0.5 cubic foot bags if you buy bagged crushed stone. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for crushed stone
This cubic yard calculator for crushed stone works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the crushed stone cost calculator.
Crushed Stone weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for crushed stone is 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, which is 1.35 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 2,700 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 1.35 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 1,225 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 0.74 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 20.00 |
| 0.5 cubic foot bags per cubic yard | 54.0 |
How far does a cubic yard of crushed stone go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for crushed stone is 2 to 6 inches, and 4 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
Crushed Stone needed for common areas at 4 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons | 0.5 cubic foot bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.31 | 0.42 | 17 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.99 | 1.33 | 54 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 1.23 | 1.67 | 67 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 2.47 | 3.33 | 134 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 1.78 | 2.40 | 96 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 3.70 | 5.00 | 200 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 4.94 | 6.67 | 267 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 7.41 | 10.00 | 400 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 14.81 | 20.00 | 800 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 30.86 | 41.67 | 1,667 |
Worked example: 24 by 10 feet at 4 inches
The area is 24 feet times 10 feet, or 240 square feet. A depth of 4 inches is 0.33 feet. Volume is 240 times 0.33, which is 80.00 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 2.96 cubic yards. At 2,700 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 4.00 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 3.26 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering crushed stone
- Angular crushed stone compacts into a firm base, which rounded stone cannot do.
- Common sizes run from fine chips to 2 inch stone, so ask for the size your plan calls for.
- Use a thicker layer on soft or wet ground.
Stone is often priced by the ton, so convert your yards to tons before comparing quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of crushed stone do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 24 by 10 foot area at 4 inches deep needs about 2.96 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 2,700 pounds, or 1.35 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should crushed stone be?
Most projects use 2 to 6 inches. 4 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of crushed stone cover?
81 square feet at 4 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How many bags of crushed stone make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of the 0.5 cubic foot size, which yields about 0.5 cubic feet each.