Use this Stone Calculator to estimate the volume and cost of stone materials. The calculator takes into account different material densities, lets you choose your project shape, and offers three calculation methods to fit your needs.
Results
How Much Stone Do You Need?
If you want to calculate manually, you’ll need to determine the required material volume (multiply the length, width, and depth of the area) and then multiply the volume by the material weight per cubic yard.
For example, if your driveway area is 20 feet long, 15 feet wide, and you need crushed stone 4 inches (0.33 feet) deep:
20 × 15 × 0.33 = 99.9 cubic feet
99.9 ÷ 27 = 3.70 cubic yards of crushed stoneTo find the weight, multiply cubic yards by material weight:
3.70 × 1.4 to 1.7 tons = 5.19 to 6.30 tons of crushed stone needed
Here’s a handy reference for what one cubic yard covers (remember – while the volume stays the same, material weights will vary!) at different depths:
- ¼ inch: 1,296 sq ft
- 2 inches: 162 sq ft
- 4 inches: 81 sq ft
- 6 inches: 54 sq ft
For those who prefer not to calculate manually, our calculator offers three volume calculation methods:
- By length, width, and depth. Suitable for projects where you only know the work area dimensions and depth. Select the shape (rectangle, circle, or ring), enter the measurements — and get your result.
- By area and depth. Works well for irregular areas like winding pathways. If you already know the area, simply enter its value and the required fill depth.
- By volume. This is for those who already know the required material volume. Just enter the value — and the calculator will estimate the weight and cost of different stone types.
Below is a table of commonly used materials and their minimum and maximum weights per cubic yard. Keep in mind that only your supplier can give you exact values (and even then, it’s not 100% precise).
| Material | Tons per Cubic Yard | Metric Tons per Cubic Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (⅛” – ⅜”) | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
| Gravel (¾” – 2″) | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.2 – 1.4 | 1.5 – 1.8 |
| Sand (wet) | 1.6 – 1.8 | 2.1 – 2.3 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 1.1 – 1.3 | 1.4 – 1.7 |
| Topsoil (wet) | 1.5 – 1.7 | 1.9 – 2.2 |
| Crushed Stone (¼” – 2″) | 1.4 – 1.7 | 1.8 – 2.2 |
| River Rock (¾” – 2½”) | 1.3 – 1.5 | 1.7 – 1.9 |
| Base Rock (¾” – 1″) | 1.3 – 1.6 | 1.7 – 2.0 |
| Drainage Rock (¾” – 1½”) | 1.4 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
When calculating material for areas that need compaction, add 10%-15% to the base volume. This ensures the desired final layer thickness.
Cite this page as:
Takahashi, H. “Stone Calculator”. Available at https://constructioncalculators.com/stone-calculator/