Tons and cubic yards for any crushed stone size: 3/8″, 3/4″, #57 or crusher run. Then order it delivered.
A 10 × 12 ft patio needs 2.0 tons of crushed stone for a 4-inch base. The calculator below runs that same formula for any size job: area, times depth, times 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Crushed stone is quarried rock broken into angular pieces, and the angles are the point. They bite into each other under a compactor and stay put. That is what you want under patios, driveways, sheds and slabs, around French drains, and on paths that see real traffic. Works for every size we sell, from 3/8″ up to 2–3″ and #57.
The formula, with a worked example
cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × 1.35
A 10 × 12 ft patio base at 4 inches: 40 cubic feet, or 1.48 cubic yards. Times 1.35 gives 2.0 tons. With the small-order cushion the recommended order lands at 2.5.
How much does a ton of crushed stone cover?
Crushed stone at 1.35 tons per cubic yard (about 2,700 lb):
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 80 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 40 sq ft |
How much does crushed stone weigh?
A cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 2,700 pounds loose, or 1.35 tons. Compacted, it takes up 10–15% less space, which is why base-course orders should include extra. One ton covers about 120 square feet at 2 inches, or 60 at a 4-inch base depth.
Crushed stone FAQs
How much does a ton of #57 stone cover?
About 120 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 60 square feet at 4 inches. #57 runs slightly lighter than dense-graded stone because it carries no fines, so real coverage lands within a few percent of those figures.
What is the difference between crushed stone and gravel?
Crushed stone is mechanically crushed rock with sharp faces that lock together under compaction. Natural gravel, like pea gravel or river rock, is rounded by water and stays loose. Structure calls for crushed. Looks and comfort call for round.
What is crusher run and when should I use it?
Crusher run (also sold as crush-and-run or dense-grade) is crushed stone with the stone dust left in. The fines fill the voids and it compacts nearly solid, which makes it the pick for base layers and rural driveways. The trade-off: it drains slowly. Where water needs to move, use washed #57 instead.
How deep should crushed stone be for a base?
4 inches compacted under patios and walkways. 4–6 under residential driveways, more on soft soil or under heavy vehicles. 4 under concrete slabs. Compact in 2–3 inch lifts every time.
