This crushed stone calculator helps determine the correct amount of crushed stone needed for your landscaping or construction projects. Whether you are laying a path, creating a garden walkway, or building a solid foundation for a structure, knowing the precise amount of crushed stone required saves time, money, and effort. No more guessing or last-minute trips to the store – our calculator provides accurate quantities based on your specific project dimensions.

Crushed stone is one of the most versatile and widely used construction materials. It is the foundation for countless projects. From residential walkways to large commercial complexes, this simple material plays a vital role in the stability, drainage, and longevity of all types of construction.

Beyond this calculator tool, this guide answers common questions about different types of crushed stone, their typical uses, and measurements, area, and best practices. By the time you finish reading this, you'll have everything you need to confidently tackle your crushed stone project.

What is Crushed Stone

Crushed stones are nothing but large rocks broken down into smaller pieces using machines. Unlike natural gravel formed by weathering due to rain, sun, and other factors, this is not naturally formed. Large rocks are cut and extracted from quarries and then crushed and graded according to our needs.

Since we produce this ourselves, we can precisely control the size, shape, and the minerals contained in these stones. That’s why crushed stones are very useful wherever uniform stones are required. Depending on which rock these stones are crushed from, their properties and uses also vary:

Crushed stones based on limestone: This is a commonly seen type. It is very strong and has good compaction characteristics. It is used as a base for our house driveways, for laying roads, and as a base for concrete.

Granite crushed stones: This has excellent strength and resistance to sun and rain. So, it is very suitable for high-traffic areas or open spaces.

Traprock and basalt types: These stones are very hard. These are the ones used under railway tracks or in areas that need to bear heavy loads.

Crushed Stone Sizes and Applications

Crushed stones are available in different sizes. Each size has a different use. Come, let’s see what sizes of stones are used for what:

• Stone dust/screening stone (⅛ inch and smaller): This will be like dust that comes when crushing stones. It is ideal for filling small gaps, creating a smooth base for walkways, or for some special concrete mixes.

• ¼ inch crushed stone: This is mostly used for walkways, stepping stone paths, and decorative works. As it is small, it gives a comfortable and strong surface to walk on.

• ½ inch to ¾ inch crushed stone: This is a common size used for everything. It is used as a base for house driveways, drainage areas, and large construction works. If it needs to be strong and at the same time allow water to drain, this size stone will be perfect.

• 1 inch to 2 inch crushed stone: This is good for slightly larger water drainage works, such as French drains, septic systems. Then it is also used as a base for roads and building foundations.

• 3 inch to 4 inch crushed stone: This is mostly used to prevent soil erosion, for heavy drainage works, and as a base for large buildings.

As these crushed stones are used for many things, it is an important material for both home and commercial use. Beyond construction, it is widely used for landscaping, controlling soil erosion, and creating paths for water drainage.

Calculating Crushed Stone Quantities

Understanding how much crushed stone you need involves considering several factors:

1. Area dimensions: The length and width of the space (for rectangular areas) or diameter (for circular areas)
2. Depth: How thick the stone layer needs to be
3. Material density: Different stone types have varying weights per volume
4. Waste factor: Additional material to account for settling, spillage, and uneven surfaces

For a basic rectangular area calculation, the formula is:

$\text{Volume (cubic yards)} = \frac{\text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (ft)} \times \text{Depth (ft)}}{27}$

For circular areas:

$\text{Volume (cubic yards)} = \frac{\pi \times (\text{Diameter (ft)} \div 2)^2 \times \text{Depth (ft)}}{27}$

Most professionals recommend adding a 10% waste factor to these calculations to ensure you have enough material:

$\text{Total Volume} = \text{Calculated Volume} \times 1.10$

To convert volume to weight (often needed when ordering), multiply the cubic yards by the density conversion factor (typically 1.5 tons per cubic yard for standard crushed stone):

$\text{Weight (tons)} = \text{Volume (cubic yards)} \times 1.5$

Crushed Stone Coverage Reference

To help visualize quantities, here's what you can expect in terms of coverage:

• 1 cubic yard of crushed stone covers approximately:

  • 100 square feet at 3 inches deep
  • 80 square feet at 4 inches deep
  • 60 square feet at 5 inches deep

• 1 ton of crushed stone typically equals about 0.67 cubic yards

• A standard pickup truck can typically carry 1-2 tons (0.67-1.33 cubic yards)

• One 50-pound bag of crushed stone covers roughly 3-5 square feet at 2 inches deep

These approximations can help you estimate delivery requirements and prepare your project site accordingly.

Recommended Depths for Common Applications

Different projects require different depths of crushed stone:

For load-bearing applications, proper compaction between layers is crucial for stability and longevity.

Cost Considerations for Crushed Stone

Crushed stone is typically sold by the ton or cubic yard. Prices vary based on:

• Stone type and quality
• Size and uniformity
• Your location (transportation costs)
• Quantity ordered (bulk discounts)
• Delivery fees and accessibility

In the United States, the average price of a ton of stone ranges from 20 to 50 US dollars. This can be 25 to 65 US dollars per cubic yard. The price will vary depending on the type of stone we choose. Especially processed decorative stones will cost even more.

In the total cost, the labor to bring and deliver the stones will be a significant part. Especially, when ordering in small quantities this will be high. In some stores, only if a certain quantity is ordered, they will deliver to the house. Some others will charge extra for delivering to places that are difficult to reach.

When budgeting, don't forget one thing: if you order a small quantity and then have to order again, the cost will be higher in the long run. When calculating, ordering a little more than needed will help avoid this mistake. That is, the 'wastage amount' should also be taken into account.

FAQs About Crushed Stone Calculations

How many tons of crushed stone do I need for a 20×20 patio base?

For a 20×20 foot patio with a 4-inch crushed stone base:

• Area = 400 square feet
• Volume = 400 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 133.33 cubic feet
• Cubic yards = 133.33 ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards
• Adding 10% waste factor = 5.43 cubic yards
• Weight in tons = 5.43 × 1.5 = 8.15 tons

You would need approximately 8-9 tons of crushed stone.

Is crushed stone sold by weight or volume?

Crushed stones are generally sold based on weight (in tons), and for small-scale needs based on cubic feet (cubic yards). In some stores, stones are also available in 50-pound bags. The relationship between weight and volume varies slightly depending on the type of stone. Generally, one cubic yard of stone is estimated to weigh 1.5 tons.

How much does a cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?

One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700 to 3,000 pounds (about 1.35 to 1.5 tons). This varies depending on the type of stone and moisture content. Smaller stones and stones in moist conditions will weigh more.

What's the difference between crushed stone and gravel?

While often used interchangeably, crushed stone and gravel have distinct differences:

• Crushed stone is manufactured by crushing larger rocks in quarries, resulting in angular pieces with rough edges that lock together well.
• Gravel is naturally occurring, formed by erosion and typically found in riverbeds or deposits, resulting in smoother, rounded edges.

These differences affect how the materials compact and drain. Crushed stone generally provides better stability for construction applications, while natural gravel offers superior drainage in some scenarios.

How deep should crushed stone be for a driveway?

For your home driveway, it is good to lay and compact crushed stones to a minimum depth of 4–6 inches. In clay-rich soil, poorly draining areas, or regions that experience freeze-thaw cycles, 8–12 inches of stone may be needed. For commercial driveways, generally 8–12 inches of stone will be required, with several layers containing different sizes of stones. For more strength, each 2–3 inch layer of stones should be compacted well.

Can I use crushed stone for a rain garden or drainage solution?

Definitely! crushed stones are very good for drainage applications. For rainwater harvesting gardens, use large stones (1–2 inches) at the bottom to allow water to flow out quickly. Then smaller stones and finally soil can be used. For constructing French drains, using stones ranging from 3/4 inch to 1.5 inches around the perforated pipe will be ideal for water flow. It will also prevent the pipe from getting clogged.