Crushed Stone Calculator: Calculate Stone for Driveways and Base Courses
Use our free crushed stone calculator to determine how much stone you need for driveways, base courses, drainage, and landscaping. Enter your project length, width, and depth to get instant results in cubic yards and tons, ready to hand to a supplier or use for your own ordering.
How to use this calculator.
- Enter the length and width. Measure the area you plan to cover with crushed stone, in feet.
- Enter the depth. Use 4 inches for a base layer under pavers or asphalt, and 4-6 inches for a standalone gravel driveway.
- Adjust the stone density if needed. The default of 100 lb/ft³ suits ¾-inch clean crushed stone. Larger, angular stone with more void space runs lighter; stone with fines mixed in runs heavier.
- Review your results. Volume (cubic yards) and weight (tons) display instantly.
- Round up when ordering. Quarries and suppliers sell by the ton, so round your result up to the nearest half or full ton.
How do you calculate crushed stone volume and weight?
The calculator first converts your area and depth into a volume, then multiplies by density to get weight.
Volume (cu yd) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324
Weight (tons) = Volume (cu yd) × Density (lb/ft³) × 27 ÷ 2,000
Where:
- Length & Width: The dimensions of the area to be covered, in feet.
- Depth: The thickness of the stone layer, in inches.
- Density: The weight per cubic foot of the stone. Clean ¾-inch crushed stone averages about 100 lb/ft³ (roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard). Larger stone (#2 or #3) can run as low as 90 lb/ft³; crusher run with fines mixed in can exceed 115 lb/ft³.
Example calculation.
Scenario: You're placing 6 inches of ¾-inch crushed stone over a 50 ft × 12 ft driveway, using the default density of 100 lb/ft³.
- Convert depth to feet: 6 in ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft.
- Calculate volume in cubic feet: 50 ft × 12 ft × 0.5 ft = 300 cu ft.
- Convert to cubic yards: 300 cu ft ÷ 27 = 11.11 cu yd.
- Calculate weight: 11.11 cu yd × 100 lb/ft³ × 27 ÷ 2,000 = 15.0 tons.
Result: This driveway needs approximately11.11 cubic yards (about 15 tons) of crushed stone.
Tips from the field.
- Order 5-10% extra. Uneven subgrade, spillage, and compaction all eat into your material budget faster than the math suggests.
- Layer your stone by size. Use 2-3 inch stone (#2 or #3) for the base and finish with 3/4-inch (#57) on top for a stable, walkable surface.
- Use geotextile fabric on soft ground. Fabric between the subgrade and stone keeps the stone from sinking into mud over time and extends the life of the driveway.
- Compact in lifts. Spread and compact stone in 2-inch layers rather than dumping the full depth at once; this produces a much denser, more stable base.
- Angular stone locks together better than rounded gravel.If load-bearing stability matters, crushed stone outperforms naturally rounded gravel of the same size.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Actual material requirements vary based on site conditions, stone gradation, compaction, and waste. For structural designs or load-bearing applications, consult a licensed civil engineer. PavementCalculator.com assumes no liability for material overages or shortages.
Cost, price, and density figures on this page reflect approximate U.S. averages as of August 2026 and vary by region, supplier, and material availability.
Frequently asked questions.
How much crushed stone do I need for a driveway?
For a standard 50 ft × 12 ft driveway with 6 inches of crushed stone, you need approximately 11.1 cubic yards or 15 tons. Use 2-3 inch stone for the 4-inch base layer and 3/4 inch stone for the 2-inch top layer. Our calculator above gives exact amounts for your dimensions.
How do I calculate crushed stone in tons?
Calculate cubic yards: (length × width × depth in feet) ÷ 27. Then multiply by 1.35 to 1.5 to convert to tons (crushed stone weighs about 2,700-3,000 lb per cubic yard). For example: 10 cubic yards × 1.35 = 13.5 tons. Use the calculator above: it does the math for you.
What size crushed stone is best for a driveway?
Use #57 stone (3/4 to 1 inch) for the top layer and #2 or #3 stone (2-3 inches) for the base. Angular crushed stone locks together better than rounded gravel, creating a more stable surface. For heavy traffic areas, use 4-6 inches of base and 2-3 inches of top layer.
How much does crushed stone cost per ton?
Crushed stone costs $15 to $45 per ton depending on type and location. #57 stone (3/4 inch) averages $25-$35 per ton. Crusher run (fines mixed in) costs $20-$30 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-$100 per load. Ordering in bulk (10+ tons) typically gets better per-ton pricing.
Crushed stone vs gravel: what's the difference?
Crushed stone is mechanically broken rock with angular edges that lock together: ideal for driveways and base courses. Gravel is naturally weathered stone with rounded edges: better for landscaping and drainage. Crushed stone provides a more stable, compacted surface for heavy traffic areas.
How many cubic yards of crushed stone per ton?
One ton of crushed stone equals approximately 0.67 to 0.75 cubic yards. To convert: divide tons by 1.35 to get cubic yards. For example, 10 tons ÷ 1.35 = 7.4 cubic yards. The exact conversion depends on stone size and density: smaller stone packs more densely.