Crushed Stone Calculator
#57 and similar crushed stone yardage and tonnage
What is crushed stone calculator?
A crushed stone calculator answers the contractor’s first question on any base or drainage job: how many tons of #57, #67, or #2 do I need delivered. The volume math is simple — area times depth — but crushed stone at quarries is sold by the ton, and the conversion factor depends on size grade.
The default density is 90 lb/ft³, which matches typical loose #57 stone. Tighter-grading stones like #67 pack closer to 95-100 lb/ft³; large sub-base stone like #2 or #3 falls in the same range. Quarry source varies by 10-15%, so always confirm with your supplier on big jobs.
Picking a size: #57 is the all-purpose default — 3/4-inch top size, drains well, and compacts adequately for residential paver bases and French drains. #67 is half-inch and packs tighter, common under high-traffic walkways. #2 and #3 are 1.5-2 inches and used as deep sub-base under driveways and parking areas. Smaller grade numbers mean larger stones, which throws off most homeowners.
Bulk vs bagged: crushed stone is bulk-only on any real job. Bagged “drainage rock” exists at home centers but costs 4-5x bulk per yard. For anything past a wheelbarrow load, call your local aggregate or landscape supply yard — most deliver in half-truck (5-10 yd) and full-truck (10-20 yd) loads. Pricing typically runs $30-50 per ton in 2026, with delivery charged separately based on distance.
The 10% waste factor default covers spread loss, edge slip, and the inevitable over-fill at the truck end. For French-drain trench work, bump to 15% — narrow trenches lose more stone to surrounding soil than open spreads. For compacted sub-base, order an extra 25-30% on top of finish-grade volume; crushed stone loses 20-25% of loose volume under proper compaction in 3-inch lifts.
When to use a crushed stone calculator
- Driveway sub-base under asphalt — 4-6 inches of #2 or #3 stone under a new asphalt or concrete driveway. The calculator outputs tons to match supplier pricing.
- French drain or curtain drain — #57 stone wrapped in fabric is the standard fill for residential French drains. Trench length and depth in, yards and tons out.
- Compacted base under pavers — #57 or #67 crushed stone under bedding sand. Order extra to compact down to the spec depth.
How to use the Crushed Stone Calculator
- Measure the area — For driveways and pads, multiply length by width. For trenches, length by trench width. The calculator handles inches or feet for depth.
- Pick a stone size — #57 (3/4-inch) is the all-purpose drainage and base stone. #67 (1/2-inch) packs tighter and is common under pavers. #2 (2-inch) and #3 (1.5-inch) are for heavy sub-base work under driveways.
- Read the tonnage — Crushed stone is sold by the ton at most yards. Output shows tons (1 cu yd of #57 weighs about 1.2 tons at the default density).
- Apply waste factor — 10% covers spread loss and edge slip. For trench work where stone ends up in the surrounding fill, bump to 15%.
Worked examples
20 ft x 100 ft driveway sub-base at 6 in
Input: 20 ft x 100 ft x 6 in depth
Output: 37.0 cu yd / 45.0 tons (with 10% waste)French drain trench, 1 ft x 50 ft x 18 in
Input: 1 ft x 50 ft x 18 in depth
Output: 3.06 cu yd / 3.71 tons#57 wrapped in non-woven fabric is the textbook spec for residential French drains.
Paver patio base, 12 ft x 16 ft at 4 in
Input: 12 ft x 16 ft x 4 in depth
Output: 2.61 cu yd / 3.17 tons