Crushed Stone Calculator

Estimate crushed stone volume, weight, and material cost for a rectangular project.

Calculate crushed stone
Use feet for area dimensions, inches for depth, and your supplier's density and price.

About crushed stone estimates

A crushed stone calculator turns the dimensions of a driveway, path, patio base, drainage trench, or landscaping bed into an order volume and estimated weight. Enter the rectangular area's length and width in feet and the compacted stone depth in inches. The calculator converts that volume to cubic yards, applies the selected waste allowance, multiplies by bulk density, and then uses the supplier's price per ton to estimate material cost. This creates a practical quantity for requesting quotes or planning deliveries. The core volume formula is length times width times depth. Because depth is entered in inches and bulk material is commonly sold by the cubic yard, the product is divided by 324. The waste percentage is applied to volume before weight is calculated. Bulk density varies with rock type, particle grading, moisture, and compaction; 1.4 tons per cubic yard is a useful planning value for many crushed aggregates, but a local quarry's published conversion is better. Price should represent material only unless the supplier combines delivery, tax, and spreading in its rate. Field conditions can make the actual requirement higher or lower. Excavated subgrades are rarely perfectly level, geotextile overlaps take space, and compacted depth is not the same as loose delivery depth. Aggregate settles as voids close, so projects with strict finished elevations may need staged placement and compaction. A ten-percent allowance is common for modest irregularity, while complex edges or uncertain excavation may justify more. Do not automatically add a large percentage because excess stone can be expensive to move and store. Measure several widths and depths when the site is uneven, divide irregular areas into rectangles, and total their estimates. Confirm whether the supplier sells by scale weight or loader volume and ask about minimum delivery quantities. The displayed cost excludes labor, equipment, excavation, base fabric, edging, tax, and delivery unless those charges are included in the entered price. This calculator is a planning aid; final pavement or structural base thickness should follow project drawings, soil conditions, drainage needs, and local construction requirements.

Crushed stone examples

ProjectEstimated orderAssumptions
30 ft by 10 ft by 4 in4.07 cubic yards; 5.70 tons1.4 tons per yard and 10 percent waste
12 ft by 12 ft by 6 in2.67 cubic yards; 4.00 tons1.5 tons per yard and no waste
50 ft by 3 ft by 3 in1.53 cubic yards; 2.14 tons1.4 tons per yard and 10 percent waste

How to estimate crushed stone

  1. Measure the project length and average width in feet.
  2. Choose the required compacted depth in inches.
  3. Enter the supplier's stone density, price, and a realistic waste allowance.
  4. Calculate and round the order to the supplier's available increment.

Frequently asked questions

How many tons are in a cubic yard of crushed stone?

A planning range is often about 1.2 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard. The exact value depends on stone type, grading, moisture, and compaction.

Should I include a waste allowance?

Yes, a small allowance covers uneven excavation, settlement, and handling loss. Ten percent is common, but accurate sites may need less.

Does the result use compacted or loose depth?

The entered depth represents the desired in-place layer. Ask the supplier or contractor how much additional loose material is needed to reach it after compaction.

Is delivery included in the cost?

Only if you enter a per-ton price that already includes delivery. Add haul fees, tax, and minimum-load charges separately when they are quoted separately.

Can I calculate an irregular area?

Split it into rectangles and calculate each section independently. Add the volumes before placing the order to avoid applying minimum rounding repeatedly.