Crushed Stone Calculator: Tons for a Base or Driveway

How to work it out

Measure the area. Make the base a little bigger than what sits on it.
Choose a depth from the guide below. Soft or wet ground needs more.
Allow for compaction. A compacted base needs more stone than its finished depth, so the calculator starts with 10%. Ask your supplier how much they suggest.
Check the weight with your supplier. Crushed stone is sold by the ton.

How deep to go

Job	Typical depth
Walkway base	4 in
Patio or shed pad base	4 to 6 in
Driveway base	6 to 12 in, more on soft ground

These are common starting points. Your site, climate and supplier may call for something different.

What one cubic yard covers

Depth	Area covered
1 in	324 sq ft
2 in	162 sq ft
3 in	108 sq ft
4 in	81 sq ft
6 in	54 sq ft

Why the weight is only an estimate

The calculator starts at 1.5 tons per cubic yard, a figure often used for crushed stone base. Commonly quoted figures run from about 1.35 to 1.7, depending on the grade and how compacted it is. If your supplier gives you a number, type it in.

Base, then bedding

Under pavers, the crushed stone base is topped with about an inch of sand. The paver sand calculator works out that layer.

Common questions

How much crushed stone do I need for a shed base?

A 10 by 12 ft pad 4 inches deep is 120 × 4 ÷ 12 = 40 cubic feet, about 1.48 cubic yards or 2.2 tons at 1.5 tons per yard, before any allowance for compaction.

What size crushed stone is used for a base?

A base usually uses a graded stone with fines, often called crusher run or road base, because it packs down firmly. Clean stone such as #57 drains better but packs less. Ask your supplier what suits your job.

How many tons of crushed stone are in a yard?

Often around 1.4 to 1.5 tons, and more when compacted.

Doing this job for a customer? Turn your numbers into a free written estimate on QuoteToPaid.

Crushed stone calculator