Crushed Stone Calculator — How Much #57 or #411 Do You Need?
The calculator is pre-set for #57 crushed stone (≈1.4 tons per cubic yard) — switch the material dropdown to #411 (≈1.5 tons/yd³) for compacting base layers. Results update as you type.
Gravel calculator
Density shown is an industry-typical value and varies by supplier — confirm before ordering.
You need
Includes +10% extra
36.0
cubic feet
1.33
cubic yards
1.87
tons (2,000 lb)
72
bags (0.5 cu ft)
≈ 0.76 m³
Estimated cost: $0.00 (at $0/ton)
Order 5–10% extra for compaction and settling — loose gravel always settles to less volume after compaction.
How much crushed stone do you need? Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 for #57 or 1.5 for #411 to get tons. A 10 ft × 20 ft driveway section at 4 inches takes 2.47 cubic yards — about 3.5 tons of #57. The calculator above converts your exact dimensions, including circles and borders.
What is crushed stone?
Crushed stone is quarried rock mechanically broken into angular pieces with rough faces that interlock when compacted — the workhorse of American construction gravel. Machine-crushing produces sharp, faceted particles — angular stone locks into a stable layer while rounded stone keeps rolling. It is sold by number grades from the AASHTO M 43 / ASTM D448 designation systems (see our gravel size chart). Weight runs about 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard for clean grades as industry-typical values.
#57 vs #411: which grade to calculate for
Choose #57 when water must drain through the stone, and #411 when the layer must compact into a hard base. They are the same rock — the difference is fines.
- #57 crushed stone — clean angular stone roughly 3/8–1 inch with the fines screened out. Water flows through the voids, so it is the standard for French drains, septic and pipe bedding, driveway middle layers, and drainage backfill. Typical density ≈ 1.4 tons/yd³.
- #411 (and its cousins crusher run / QP / DGA) — #57 blended with #10 screenings (stone dust). The fines fill voids, so a plate compactor locks it nearly concrete-hard. Use it for driveway bases, paver bases and shed pads. Typical density ≈ 1.5 tons/yd³; crusher run ≈ 1.6.
A common residential recipe: 4+ inches of compacted #411 or crusher run as base under a thinner wear layer.
Pros and cons of crushed stone
Crushed stone is the strongest, cheapest-per-yard option in this catalog, at the cost of a harsher look and feel than rounded or decorative stone.
Pros
- Angular particles interlock — stable under wheels and foot traffic
- Among the least expensive gravels per square foot
- #57 drains freely; #411 compacts nearly solid
Cons
- Sharp underfoot and barefoot-hostile compared with pea gravel
- #57 scatters without edging on slopes
- Fines-bearing blends (#411) track dust into homes
Crushed stone price: what to expect
Bulk crushed stone typically runs $15–$50 per ton or $18–$60 per cubic yard in published US ranges — about $0.40–$1.00 per square foot at 4 inches. Quarry-direct pickup at the low end, small delivered loads at the high end. One full delivery beats two partial ones — round up with the 5–10% compaction allowance rather than ordering short.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is a yard of #57 crushed stone?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard — roughly 2,800 lb — as an industry-typical value. #411, which adds fine screenings, runs closer to 1.5 tons per yard. Supplier weights vary with stone source and moisture.
What is #57 crushed stone used for?
#57 — clean angular stone around 3/8–1 inch — is the general-purpose grade for drainage, driveway middle layers, pipe bedding, and as a base under concrete and pavers. It drains well because it has no fines.
Which is better for a base, #57 or #411?
#411 compacts tighter because its screenings fill the voids between stones, so it suits base layers. #57 stays permeable, so it is the choice where water must drain through — like French drains and under-slab drainage.