Construction & Materials · Verified formula
Stone Calculator
Calculate how much gravel or crushed stone you need in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Formula verified
3+ known-answer test cases
Last verified August 2026
Result
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How to use the Stone Calculator
- Choose rectangular or circular to match your project area.
- Enter length and width (or diameter) in feet.
- Enter the depth in inches — 4-6 in is typical for a driveway base layer.
- Adjust density if your supplier lists a figure for your specific stone type.
- Select Calculate to see cubic yards, weight and bag count.
Formula
Volume and weight
Volume = surface area × depth Weight = volume × selected material density
Assumptions: Default density (1.5 tons/yd³) is typical for crushed stone/gravel. Larger aggregate and different stone types can shift this figure. This tool provides a general estimate, not professional, engineering, tax or legal advice.
Worked example
Verified example
QA passed
Area: 10 ft × 10 ft rectangular Depth: 3 in (0.25 ft) Volume = 10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 ft³ Cubic yards = 25 ÷ 27 = 0.9259 yd³ Result: 0.9259 yd³ of stone needed
Why this matters: Crushed stone base layers need a consistent depth for proper drainage and load-bearing under driveways and patios — an inconsistent base is a common cause of settling and cracking later.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong density for angular crushed stone vs. rounded river rock — they compact differently and aren't interchangeable in this calculation.
- Combining the base-layer calculation with decorative top-dressing stone instead of calculating them separately.
- Not adding extra for compaction — a 4 in loose layer commonly compacts down to roughly 3 in.
Frequently asked questions
How much crushed stone do I need for a driveway base?
A typical base layer is 4-6 inches deep. Multiply your driveway area by that depth to get cubic feet, then convert to cubic yards or tons.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
Crushed stone typically weighs 1.4-1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on the stone type and how well it is compacted.
Should I add extra for a base layer under pavers?
Yes. Most paver and patio projects use a compacted base of 4-6 inches of stone, calculated as a separate layer from the paver quantity itself.
Related calculators
Formula reviewed against the site calculation methodology.
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For more background, see Tons vs Cubic Yards: How Material Weight and Volume Relate.