YardHow to use the crushed stone calculator
Calculate crushed stone
One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb). Crusher run compacts best in layers of about 2 inches. Estimates only - confirm quantities with your supplier.
- Choose the shape of your area: rectangle, circle or triangle.
- Enter the length and width (or diameter) in feet.
- Enter the depth in inches. Four inches suits a driveway top layer or a base under pavers; drainage trenches are usually filled to the top.
- Read off the cubic yards, weight in tons and number of bags, then adjust the extra allowance: crushed stone compacts, so 10 percent extra is a sensible minimum.
Crushed stone sizes: which one do you need?
| Size / name | What it is | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| #57 stone (about 3/4 in) | Clean, angular, no fines | Drainage, French drains, under slabs |
| 3/4 in crushed stone | Clean angular stone | Driveway top layer, drainage, pipe bedding |
| Crusher run / DGA | Stone mixed with dust and fines | Driveway base, paver base, paths - compacts hard |
| #2 stone (about 2 in) | Large clean stone | Construction entrances, muddy ground, erosion |
| Stone dust / screenings | Fine crushed material | Final levelling under pavers, joints |
The key difference is fines. Clean stone (like #57) has no dust in it, so water drains straight through and it never sets hard. Crusher run includes fines, so it compacts into a firm, almost concrete-like base, but drains poorly. Pick by job: drainage means clean stone, a base means crusher run.
How deep should crushed stone be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Driveway top layer (clean stone) | 3–4 in |
| Driveway base (crusher run) | 4–6 in, compacted in layers |
| Paver base | 4 in patios, 6 in driveways |
| French drain trench | Fill the trench (often 12–18 in) |
| Path or shed base | 3–4 in |
Tips before you order
- Compact crusher run in layers of about 2 inches; dumping the full depth at once leaves a soft base that ruts.
- Crushed stone is heavy: a cubic yard is about 1.4 tons, so check your truck or trailer limit before collecting it yourself.
- Names vary by region and quarry. Describe the job ('base for a driveway') as well as the size, and the yard will steer you right.
- Put fabric under clean drainage stone to keep soil from migrating up and clogging it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) for typical mixed crushed stone. Clean single-size stone is a little lighter per yard, and crusher run with fines is a little heavier.
How many bags of crushed stone make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft, the standard garden-centre bag. Bulk delivery works out far cheaper once you need more than about 10 bags.
What is the difference between #57 stone and crusher run?
#57 is clean, single-size stone with no fines, made for drainage. Crusher run mixes sizes down to dust, so it compacts into a hard base for driveways and pavers but does not drain.
How deep should crushed stone be for a driveway?
A base of 4 to 6 inches of crusher run, compacted in layers, topped with about 3 to 4 inches of clean stone. On soft clay, go deeper or the stone will keep sinking in.
Can I use crushed stone for a French drain?
Yes, clean stone like #57 is the standard fill. Wrap the trench in landscape fabric so soil cannot wash in and clog the gaps between the stones.
Does crushed stone compact?
Only the types with fines in them, like crusher run, compact into a solid base. Clean stone stays loose and free-draining, which is exactly what drainage jobs need.
How much crushed stone do I need under pavers?
About 4 inches of compacted crusher run for a patio or walkway and 6 inches for a driveway, plus a 1 inch bedding layer of sand or stone dust on top.
Crushed stone or gravel for a driveway?
Crushed stone, because the angular pieces lock together and stay in place under tyres. Round gravel and pea gravel roll and rut. Our Gravel Calculator covers general gravel jobs; this one is tuned for crushed stone weights.