Choose the stone grade, enter your area and depth, and get the tons and cubic yards of crushed stone you need. The calculator adds 15 percent by default, because crushed stone packs down when it’s compacted.
Extra for compaction and cost
Weights are typical for dry, loose material. Your supplier's figure may differ slightly.
Crushed stone grades explained
Crushed stone is sold by size number. The numbers are standard size grades used by quarries in the US, although local names vary, so check with your supplier if a name doesn’t match.
| Grade | Size | Weight per cubic yard | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 stone | 1½–2 in | about 1.30 tons | Driveway base layers, erosion control |
| #57 stone | ¾–1 in | about 1.35 tons | Drainage, French drains, driveway middle layers |
| #8 stone | ⅜–½ in | about 1.35 tons | Drainage around pipes, top dressing |
| #411 | #57 mixed with stone dust | about 1.45 tons | Driveway top layers, walkways |
| Crusher run / dense grade | ¾ in down to dust | about 1.55 tons | Compacted base under pavers, slabs and sheds |
| Stone dust / screenings | ¼ in and finer | about 1.40 tons | Setting bed for pavers and flagstone |
Clean stone or dense-graded?
Clean stone (#3, #57, #8) has no fine dust. Water drains straight through it, which is why it’s used for drainage. It doesn’t lock together into a hard surface on its own.
Dense-graded stone (crusher run, #411) includes fine particles that fill the gaps. When it’s compacted it becomes firm and solid, which makes it the usual choice for bases under pavers, sheds and driveways. It drains more slowly than clean stone.
Typical depths
- Shed base or walkway base: 4 to 6 inches of compacted dense-graded stone.
- Paver patio base: commonly 4 to 6 inches, plus about an inch of sand or stone dust on top.
- Driveway: 8 to 12 inches in layers. The gravel driveway calculator handles each layer separately.
- Drainage trench: fill the trench with clean #57 stone around the pipe.
Worked example
A 10 ft × 12 ft shed base, 4 inches deep, in #57 stone:
- 10 × 12 = 120 square feet
- 120 × 4 ÷ 12 = 40 cubic feet, or 1.48 cubic yards
- With 15 percent extra for compaction: 1.70 cubic yards
- 1.70 × 1.35 = about 2.30 tons
Why add extra for compaction?
Stone arrives loose. Once it’s spread and run over with a plate compactor, the pieces settle into the gaps and the layer gets thinner. Ordering 10 to 15 percent extra means you still finish at the depth you planned. For decorative stone that isn’t compacted, 5 to 10 percent is usually enough.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of crushed stone?
About 1.35 tons for clean stone like #57, and around 1.45 to 1.55 tons for dense-graded mixes like #411 and crusher run, which contain fine particles.
How much does a ton of crushed stone cover?
A ton of #57 stone is about 20 cubic feet. That covers about 60 square feet at 4 inches deep, or 80 square feet at 3 inches.
What size crushed stone is best for drainage?
Clean stone with no fines, such as #57 or #3. Water passes through the gaps between the stones.
What should I use under pavers or a shed?
A dense-graded stone such as crusher run, compacted in layers. It forms a firm base that won’t shift.
Is crushed stone the same as gravel?
Not quite. Crushed stone is made by crushing rock, so the pieces are sharp and angular and lock together. Gravel often means naturally rounded stone, like pea gravel or river rock, which stays loose.
Results are estimates for planning. Weights are typical for dry, loose material. See How We Calculate for the formulas and values we use.