Introduction
This crushed stone calculator tells you how much rock to buy for your project. Type in the size of your area and how deep you want the stone. The tool gives you the volume in cubic yards or cubic meters, the weight in tons or tonnes, and the price if you add a cost per ton.
It works for driveways, walkways, patios, garden beds, drainage, and fire pits. Pick a shape (rectangle, circle, or triangle) and the calculator works out the rest. You can also choose your stone type, like limestone, granite, crusher run, or #57 clean stone. Each one has its own weight, so the tool adjusts for that.
Stone is sold by weight, not by the bag, so guessing can cost you money or leave you short. This calculator adds a 10% extra amount by default, since gravel settles and packs down when you spread it. You can change that number if you want.
Below your answer, you get a step-by-step breakdown of the math, a chart, and a table that shows how much stone you need at different depths. That makes it easy to compare a 2-inch top layer with a 4-inch base before you call your supplier.
How to use our Crushed Stone Calculator
Enter the shape and size of your area, how deep you want the stone, and the type of rock you plan to use. The calculator gives you the volume in cubic yards or cubic meters, the weight in tons or tonnes, and the cost of your order.
Area Shape: Pick Rectangle/Square, Circle, or Triangle. Only the boxes you need will show up.
Length and Width: For a rectangle or square, type how long and how wide the area is. Pick your unit (ft, yd, in, m, or cm) next to each box.
Diameter: For a circle, type the distance straight across the middle, then pick the unit.
Base and Height: For a triangle, type the length of the bottom side and the straight-up height from that side to the top point.
Depth / Thickness: Type how deep the stone layer will be. Use 4 to 6 inches for a driveway base and 2 to 3 inches for a top layer of decorative rock.
Material Type: Choose your stone, such as limestone, granite, sand and gravel, clean stone, or crusher run. This fills in the density for you. Pick "Custom" to type your own.
Material Density: This is how heavy the rock is per cubic foot or cubic meter. Change it if your supplier gives you a different number.
Overage / Waste Factor (%): Add extra stone for settling, spills, and uneven ground. 10% is a safe choice.
Price per Unit: Type what you pay for the stone and pick how it is sold: per US ton, per metric tonne, per cubic yard, or per cubic meter. Leave it blank to skip the cost.
Show Results In: Choose US/Imperial (cubic yards and tons) or Metric (cubic meters and tonnes).
Calculate: Click this to see your volume, weight, cost, the math steps, and a chart of how much stone you need at other depths. Click Reset to start over.
What Is Crushed Stone?
Crushed stone is rock that has been broken into small pieces by a machine called a crusher. Unlike round river gravel, the pieces have sharp, jagged edges. Those edges lock together when packed down, so the stone stays put instead of rolling around. That is why crushed stone is the top pick for driveways, walkways, patio bases, drainage beds, and the base layer under pavers or concrete.
Common Types of Crushed Stone
- Limestone: light gray, easy to compact, and used a lot for driveways and base layers.
- Granite: very hard and long lasting. Good for high traffic areas and decorative work.
- Sand and gravel mixes: often cheaper and good for fill or drainage.
- Clean stone (#57, #68): washed, with no fine dust. Water drains right through it, so it works well around pipes and in French drains.
- Crusher run (#26, pug mill): a mix of stone and stone dust. The dust fills the gaps, so it packs hard and makes a strong base.
- Decorative stone: smaller rounded material such as pea gravel or river rock for beds and paths, and large rip rap for slopes and shorelines.
How Deep Should the Stone Be?
Depth matters as much as the size of your area. A layer that is too thin will spread apart, sink, or grow weeds through it.
- 2 to 3 inches: decorative top layer, garden beds, and paths that only people walk on.
- 4 inches: a normal top layer for a driveway or a base under pavers.
- 6 to 8 inches: full driveway build, usually in two or three layers, with each layer packed down before the next goes on.
- 8 to 12 inches: heavy loads, soft or wet soil, or spots where trucks park.
Why Stone Is Sold by Weight
You measure your project in volume (cubic yards or cubic meters), but most stone yards sell by the ton. To switch between the two, you need the density of the material, which is how much one cubic foot weighs. Most crushed stone falls between about 96 and 135 pounds per cubic foot. Heavier, dusty mixes like crusher run sit at the high end, and loose coarse stone sits at the low end. A rough rule: one cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons.
Always Order a Little Extra
Order about 5% to 10% more than the exact number. Ground is never perfectly flat, stone settles when you tamp it, and some spreads past the edges. A small extra amount costs far less than paying a second delivery fee for one missing wheelbarrow of rock.
Tips Before You Order
- Measure your area twice and write down length, width, and depth.
- For odd shapes, break the space into rectangles, circles, and triangles, then add the results together.
- Ask your supplier for their real density, since it changes with moisture and stone type.
- Put down landscape fabric first to stop weeds and keep stone from sinking into mud.
- Lay thick layers in stages and compact each one for a firm, level finish.
- Check delivery limits. Most dump trucks carry 10 to 15 tons per load.