Crushed stone calculator
Calculate this loadCrushed stone is the angular base under driveways and pavers. Plan 4 inches, compacted, at about 1.35 tons per yard.
Project calculator
Area 1
Cubic yards
1.23 yd³
Tons
1.67 t
2 cu ft bags
17
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Crushed stone planning density 1.35 t/yd³ (ASTM C29 typical bulk density for crushed stone aggregates). Order 1.5 yd³ with 5% waste. 3 cu ft bags: 12.
Crushed stone, crusher run, and #57 stone are cousins. Crusher run has fines that lock up when compacted. Clean #57 drains. Both are sold by the yard and weighed by the ton. ASTM C29 bulk-density ranges for crushed aggregates sit near 2,400–2,700 lb/yd³; we use 1.35 tons per loose yard.
Driveway base is a structural layer. Four inches compacted on a stable subgrade is a common residential starting point; poor clay or truck traffic wants more, sometimes over geotextile. Compact in lifts. If you calculate 4 inches of fluffy stone and then compact it, the finished surface will be low. Add 10–15% or ask the yard how their product settles.
Patio bases follow the same logic with a cleaner finish layer and an inch of bedding sand on top — calculate sand separately. Paths can live on 2–3 inches.
Related gravel and pea-gravel pages are for the finish layer people see. This page is for the layer that keeps the finish from sinking.
Formula
Yards = L × W × D ÷ 27. Tons ≈ yards × 1.35.
Worked example
A 40 × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches is 480 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³, about 8.0 tons.
Crushed stone on the ground
Typical cover is 4 inches. Range 1.2–1.5 t/yd³. Crusher run and clean stone share this planning density; confirm with the yard.
Density table
| Material | t / yd³ | lb / yd³ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 1.4 | 2800 | FHWA / typical crushed gravel 2,400–3,000 lb per loose cubic yard |
| Crushed stone | 1.35 | 2700 | ASTM C29 typical bulk density for crushed stone aggregates |
| Pea gravel | 1.3 | 2600 | Landscape industry pea-gravel bulk density, 2,400–2,800 lb/yd³ |
| Sand | 1.35 | 2700 | FHWA / Engineering Toolbox dry-to-damp sand ~2,400–3,000 lb/yd³ |
Related calculators
Gravel calculator
Size a driveway, path, or French drain in cubic yards first — then convert to tons using a cited 1.4 tons/yd³ planning density.
How much gravel do I need?
A driveway usually wants 4 inches of compacted gravel. Paths can use 2–3. Measure, then convert to yards and tons.
Sand calculator
Paver sand, mason sand, and play sand are different products that share the same volume math. Plan on about 1.35 tons per loose yard.