Crushed stone is quarried rock broken into angular pieces and graded by size. The sharp edges lock together, which makes it the material of choice for driveway bases, French drains, footings and under-slab layers. Choose the grade you are buying – stone with fines (#411, screenings) packs denser and weighs more per cubic yard than clean washed stone.
How to use the Crushed Stone Calculator
- Material
- Custom density
- Area shape
- Length (or diameter)
- Width
- Depth
- Extra for waste and compaction
- Priced by
- Price per weight
- Price per volume
- Every result field is editable: type into Volume needed or any other result and Depth plus every other field update to match.
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
The calculator finds the area of your rectangle, circle or triangle, multiplies it by the depth and adds the waste allowance to get the volume. Multiplying by the density of the chosen material gives the weight, and the price you enter turns either one into a cost.
Densities used
| Material | kg/m³ | lb/ft³ | US tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone #57 (¾–1 in) | 1,602 | 100.0 | 1.35 |
| Crushed stone #3 (1–2 in) | 1,580 | 98.6 | 1.33 |
| Crushed stone #1 (2–4 in) | 1,550 | 96.8 | 1.31 |
| Crushed stone #411 (with fines) | 1,900 | 118.6 | 1.60 |
| Crushed stone #10 / screenings | 1,750 | 109.2 | 1.47 |
| Crushed granite | 1,650 | 103.0 | 1.39 |
| Crushed limestone | 1,554 | 97.0 | 1.31 |
| Crushed concrete (recycled) | 1,900 | 118.6 | 1.60 |
Gravel sizes
| Name | Size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| #1 (rip-rap base) | 2–4 in | Base of new driveways |
| #3 | 1–2 in | Drainage, driveway base |
| #57 | ¾–1 in | Driveways, drainage, concrete aggregate |
| #67 | ¾ in and smaller | Concrete mix, base layers |
| #8 / pea gravel | ⅜ in | Paths, play areas, pipe bedding |
| #10 / screenings | dust to ¼ in | Paver base, fines for compaction |
| #411 | #57 + dust | Top layer that packs hard |
Good to know
A U.S. (short) ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb). Quarries in the U.S. sell by the short ton, so check which one your quote uses.
Tips for an accurate estimate
- Plan driveways and paths in layers – a compacted base of larger stone does most of the structural work.
- Add 10–25% for compaction: loose stone shrinks once it is rolled or driven on.
- Ask the quarry whether prices are per US ton, metric tonne or cubic yard before comparing quotes.
- Grade surfaces at 1–2% so water runs off rather than soaking into the base.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the base layer or geotextile on soft soil, which leads to ruts and potholes.
- Using rounded stone (pea gravel, river rock) on surfaces that carry vehicles.
- Ordering compacted volume when the supplier delivers loose material.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Material | Choose one: Crushed stone #57 (¾–1 in), Crushed stone #3 (1–2 in), Crushed stone #1 (2–4 in), Crushed stone #411 (with fines) … |
| Custom density | Units: kg/m³, lb/ft³, g/cm³, lb/yd³ |
| Area shape | Choose one: Rectangle / square, Circle (length = diameter), Triangle (length = base, width = height) |
| Length (or diameter) | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Width | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Depth | Units: in, cm, mm, ft, m |
| Extra for waste and compaction | In % |
| Priced by | Choose one: Weight (per ton / tonne), Volume (per yd³ / m³) |
| Price per weight | Units: /US ton, /t, /lb, /kg |
| Price per volume | Units: /yd³, /m³, /ft³ |
Formula
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste)Weight = volume × densityCost = weight × price per ton (or volume × price per yd³)Worked example
Inputs — Material: Crushed stone #57 (¾–1 in); Custom density: 1,600 kg/m³; Area shape: Rectangle / square; Length (or diameter): 50 ft; Width: 12 ft; Depth: 4 in; Extra for waste and compaction: 10 %; Priced by: Weight (per ton / tonne); Price per weight: $45 /US ton; Price per volume: $60 /yd³.
Results — Area = 600 ft²; Volume needed = 8.148 yd³; Weight needed = 11.001 US ton; Estimated cost = $495.05.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a ton of crushed stone?
Prices vary widely by region and grade; enter your local quote as a price per ton or per cubic yard.
How much does a cubic yard of #57 stone weigh?
Around 2,700 lb (1.35 US tons).
How deep should crushed stone be for a driveway?
4–6 in of base stone plus 2–3 in of top stone; heavy vehicles need 8–12 in in total.
What formula does the Crushed Stone Calculator use?
Volume = area × depth × (1 + waste).