Free Calculator
Crushed Stone Calculator — How Much Crushed Stone Do I Need?
Tons, cubic yards, and delivered cost for any crushed stone size.
3. Enter Dimensions
Your order summary lands here
As soon as the dimensions are valid, you will see the recommended quantity, truckload count, and the ZIP pricing step.
Use this calculator to size #57, #67, #4, and other crushed limerock for drainage, driveways, concrete bases, French drains, and behind retaining walls. Most crushed stone is sold by the ton.
How to use this crushed stone calculator
- 1
Pick a stone size
#57 (¾"–1") is the workhorse — driveways, concrete base, drainage. #67 is slightly smaller, fine for the same uses. #4 (1½"–2½") is for drainage and rip-rap.
- 2
Measure the area
Length × width in feet. For trenches, length × trench width.
- 3
Pick a depth
4 inches for driveway top, 6 inches for structural base, 12 inches for trench fill, 4–6 inches behind walls.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return delivered pricing per ton. Crushed stone ships in 22-ton tri-axle loads.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27, with depth in inches divided by 12 to get feet.
Crushed stone density runs 1.25–1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on the size and how angular the source rock is. The calculator uses the live catalog density for the product you pick.
We add the catalog buffer (typically 10–25%) and round up to a whole sellable unit. For driveway and base applications add a 10–15% compaction allowance — already factored into the buffer.
How much does crushed stone cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 231 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 116 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 77 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 58 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 39 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 19 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
Assumes a density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, typical for #57 limerock and most washed gravels. Denser crushed stone covers slightly less per ton.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway top 1,200 sq ft | 4" | 1,200 sq ft | ~21 tons #57 |
| French drain 50 ft × 1 ft | 12" | 50 sq ft | ~3 tons #57 |
| Behind retaining wall 30 ft × 1 ft | 4 ft | 30 sq ft | ~7 tons #57 |
| Paver base 400 sq ft | 4" | 400 sq ft | ~7 tons |
| Concrete slab base 500 sq ft | 4" | 500 sq ft | ~9 tons |
Which size should you use?
Crushed stone is graded by largest particle size. The right number depends on the job.
#57 (¾"–1")
Driveway top, paver base, concrete slab base, drainage behind walls. The single most versatile size.
#67 (¾" minus)
Similar to #57 with slightly smaller top end. Fine substitute when #57 is out.
#4 (1½"–2½")
French drain fill where flow rate matters, drainage behind walls, light rip-rap.
#89 (⅜")
Small decorative gravel, footpath surfacing, pea-gravel substitute.
Crusher run / road base
Contains fines, compacts hard. Driveway base course and pad base — not drainage.
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Wrong stone size for the job
#57 is too coarse for a walking path and too small to be effective rip-rap. Match the gradation to the application: see the size guide below.
Skipping the base layer
A driveway needs 4 inches of base + 4 inches of top. A French drain needs filter fabric under and over the stone. Single-layer installs all fail prematurely.
Mistaking gravel for crushed stone
Rounded river gravel and crushed stone look similar but behave very differently. Crushed stone interlocks. Rounded gravel migrates.
Ignoring fines
Crusher run includes fines that pack hard but choke drainage. Use crusher run for base, washed #57 for drainage. Do not mix the two.
Ordering bagged for big jobs
A 50 lb bag of #57 is about $7. The same stone in bulk is roughly $1.50 per equivalent bag. For anything over a ton, bulk is the only sensible option.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see delivered pricing?
Jump back to the calculator to price the exact quantity for your ZIP, or request a manual quote if the project needs special handling.