Crushed Stone Calculator
Calculate the tons of crushed stone needed for bases, driveways and drainage.
What you'll need to order
- #57 crushed stone
- crusher run (for the base layer)
- geotextile fabric
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
tons = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) × 100 ÷ 2000
Crushed stone weighs about 100 lb per cubic foot loose, roughly 2,700 lb per cubic yard. The headline figure adds 20% because angular stone loses that much volume once compacted.
Worked example
With length 10 ft, width 10 ft, depth 4 in, this calculator returns 1.67 tons.
Waste allowance
The headline figure includes a 20% allowance for waste and over-ordering. The exact requirement is shown alongside it.
Crushed stone by depth
Figures below assume length 10 ft × width 10 ft. Change any measurement in the calculator to get your own numbers.
| Depth | Crushed stone needed (tons) | Volume (cu yd) | Order allowing 20% compaction (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.83 | 0.62 | 1.00 |
| 3 in | 1.25 | 0.93 | 1.50 |
| 4 in | 1.67 | 1.23 | 2.00 |
| 6 in | 2.50 | 1.85 | 3.00 |
| 8 in | 3.33 | 2.47 | 4.00 |
| 12 in | 5.00 | 3.70 | 6.00 |
Per 100 square feet. The compacted figure accounts for the roughly 20% volume loss under a plate compactor.
How much crushed stone for a base or driveway?
| Job | Size | Crushed stone needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shed pad base | 12 ft × 10 ft × 4 in | 2.00 tons | $36 – $90 |
| Paver patio base | 16 ft × 12 ft × 6 in | 4.80 tons | $86 – $216 |
| Under a concrete slab | 24 ft × 24 ft × 4 in | 9.60 tons | $173 – $432 |
| Gravel driveway base | 50 ft × 12 ft × 8 in | 20.00 tons | $360 – $900 |
| Paver driveway base | 40 ft × 12 ft × 10 in | 20.00 tons | $360 – $900 |
Driveway and patio bases must be laid and compacted in layers of 4 inches or less. A single deep lift never compacts through, which is what causes settlement later.
Cost range uses $18–$45 per ton for material only.
What does crushed stone cost?
Material typically runs $18 to $45 per ton. Delivered, not spread. Crusher run and #57 stone are the cheapest aggregates available in most markets.
What moves the price:
- Grade — crusher run costs less than washed and screened single-size stone
- Haul distance from the quarry, usually the biggest variable
- Load size; part loads carry a disproportionate delivery charge
- Local stone type, which varies by region
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Crushed stone grades and what each is for
| Type | Nominal size (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher run (#411) | 0.75 | Mixed with fines; compacts hardest |
| #57 stone | 0.75 | Washed, single size, drains freely |
| #8 stone | 0.38 | Paver setting bed, drainage |
| #2 stone | 2.50 | Heavy base, erosion control |
| Screenings / stone dust | 0.13 | Final levelling layer under pavers |
| Riprap | 6.00 | Bank stabilisation; sold by the ton |
Crusher run compacts and locks together because it contains fines. Washed #57 stays loose and drains — use it under slabs and around pipe, not as a compacted base.
Frequently asked questions
How much crushed stone do I need for a driveway?
A 50 by 12 ft driveway with an 8 inch base needs about 26 tons. Build it in two 4 inch layers, compacting each separately.
What is the difference between crusher run and #57 stone?
Crusher run contains fines and compacts to a hard, locked surface. #57 is washed to a single size and stays loose so water passes through it. One is a base, the other is drainage.
How deep should a paver base be?
Four to six inches of compacted crushed stone for a patio, 8 to 12 inches for a driveway, plus an inch of bedding sand. Deeper in freezing climates with clay soil.
How many tons of crushed stone do I need?
Multiply area in square feet by depth in feet, multiply by 100, then divide by 2,000. A 40 by 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs 8 tons loose, or about 9.6 tons allowing for compaction.
How much does a yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons, loose. Once compacted in place it densifies to roughly 3,000 lb per cubic yard, which is why you order more than the raw volume suggests.
What size crushed stone should I use for a base?
Crusher run — a mix of stone and fines that locks together — is the standard base material under pavers, slabs and driveways. Clean #57 stone drains better but will not compact, so use it for drainage layers and French drains, not structural bases.
Why does crushed stone need a compaction allowance?
Angular stone arrives loose with air between the pieces. Plate-compacting it drives out that air and reduces the volume by 15 to 25%. Ordering only the calculated volume leaves you short once the base is compacted to depth.
How thick should a gravel driveway be?
Eight to twelve inches total, built in layers: a 4 inch sub-base of larger stone, then 4 inches of crusher run, then a 2 inch top course. Compact each layer separately. A single thick lift will never compact properly.