Stone Calculator

Use this stone calculator to estimate how much crushed stone, gravel, or aggregate you need in cubic yards, tons, or bags, whether the job needs drainage stone, #57 gravel, decorative rock, or a compacted base like crusher run.

Quick answer: use clean stone such as #57 when water needs to move through the layer, use crusher run / #411 / DGA / QP when the layer needs to compact, and use the calculator to compare the same project in yards, tons, and bags before you call the yard.

8 stone types Compaction math Supplier rounding

By: CalcHub Editorial Operated by: Cloudtopia

Maintenance: Updated when formulas, supplier packaging, or guidance change.

Method: Research + supplier packaging + formula verification.

Units:

i2" depth for visual coverage with good weed suppression. Decorative crushed or marble chips work best — avoid crusher run (muddy look when wet).

Length

Width

Package Model

Depth

Recommended: 2-6 inches

Waste Factor

Choose the Right Stone for Your Project

Project	Typical Material	Why
Driveway surface	#57 crushed stone	Clean angular stone drains and stays more stable than rounded rock
Driveway or shed base	Crusher run / #411 / DGA / QP	Fines compact into a firmer structural layer
French drain	Clean drainage stone	Open void space is the goal, not compaction
Decorative bed	Decorative crushed stone, river rock, or lava rock	Appearance, weed coverage, and maintenance drive the choice

Stone names vary by region, but the main choice is simple: do you need clean stone for drainage or stone with fines for compaction?

#57 crushed limestone is clean, angular, and drainage-friendly. Crusher run (also called #411, DGA, or QP) includes fines that lock together into a firm base.

If the supplier vocabulary is what is slowing you down, use the aggregate names guide, the clean stone vs fines guide, and the driveway depth guide before you order.

#57 vs Crusher Run

#57 Stone

Clean 3/4" crushed stone with no fines. Best for driveway surface, French drains, and anywhere water needs to move through the stone.

Crusher Run / #411 / DGA / QP

Stone blended with fines that compacts into a firm base. Best for shed pads, driveway sub-bases, and paver base layers. Not for drainage.

Clean Stone vs Stone with Fines

Factor	Clean Stone	Stone with Fines
Drainage	Excellent	Poor
Compaction	Does not lock together	Compacts firm
Best for	French drains, foundations, surfaces	Bases, pads, sub-layers
Common names	#57, drainage stone	Crusher run, #411, DGA, QP

Best Stone by Project Type

Stone Type	Density	Classification	Best For
Decorative Crushed	1.28 t/yd³	Clean	Beds, rock mulch, borders
Crushed Limestone (#57)	1.28 t/yd³	Clean angular	Driveway surface, drainage
Crusher Run / #411 / DGA	1.69 t/yd³	With fines	Compacted bases, shed pads
Marble Chips	1.28 t/yd³	Clean decorative	Bright accents, borders
Lava Rock	0.70 t/yd³	Clean decorative	Lightweight rock mulch
Fieldstone	1.42 t/yd³	Clean irregular	Dry-stack walls, borders
Drainage Stone	1.35 t/yd³	Clean angular	French drains, trenches
Riprap	1.35 t/yd³	Clean large	Dry creek beds, erosion control

Do I need landscape fabric?

Yes for decorative beds and paths to block weeds and keep stone from migrating into soil. Skip it for compacted bases and French drains, where it interferes with compaction or can clog.

Recommended Depth And Coverage By Project

Project	Depth	Stone Type	Notes
Decorative bed	2"	Decorative crushed	Weed suppression + visual coverage
Garden path	2-3"	Crushed limestone	Angular stone stays put; edge to contain
Driveway surface	4"	#57 limestone	Add 2-4" crusher run base for new builds
Shed pad / base	4-6"	Crusher run	Compact in 2" lifts
French drain	4-12"	Drainage stone	Wrap pipe, not the trench, in fabric
Dry creek bed	4-8"	Riprap	Mix sizes for a more natural look

Drainage strip tip: use the rectangle shape for trench dimensions — enter trench length as length, trench width as width, and trench depth as depth.

How The Math Works

Area × Depth = Volume (cu ft) → divide by 27 for cubic yards → apply compaction when the preset needs it → add waste → multiply by density for tons → divide by bag size for bag counts.

Densities assume dry, loose material. Wet stone can weigh more, which is why the results area now lets you refine density and prices after the first answer.

Worked Example

Driveway: 30 × 10 ft, 4" #57 limestone, using the Light Driveway Surface preset (1.10 compaction, 10% waste).

Area: 300 sq ft
Volume: 300 × (4/12) = 3.7 cu yd
Compaction: 3.7 × 1.10 = 4.1 cu yd
Waste: 4.1 × 1.10 = 4.5 cu yd
Weight: 4.5 × 1.28 = 5.8 tons
Supplier order: round to 5.0 cu yd for half-yard increments

Final order: 5 cu yd bulk or the bag equivalent if you are only tackling a small area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I order stone in cubic yards or tons? +

Both work — suppliers quote either way. Cubic yards are easier to match to project area (1 cu yd covers ~81 sq ft at 4 inches). Tons are easier to compare prices supplier-to-supplier. The calculator shows both; pick whichever your supplier prefers. Rough rule: 1 cu yd of crushed stone ≈ 1.2-1.4 tons.

What is the difference between #57 stone and crusher run? +

#57 stone is clean, angular stone with no fines, which makes it the better choice for drainage and many driveway surface layers. Crusher run (also called #411, DGA, or QP) includes fines that compact into a firmer base, making it better for pad and base layers instead of drainage.

How many bags of stone equal one cubic yard? +

About 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft, 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, or 54 of 50-lb (at ~1.28 ton/cu yd density). Lava rock is lighter — only ~38 of 50-lb bags per cu yd. The calculator shows bag counts for every size offered on the selected material.

Should I use clean stone or stone with fines? +

Use clean stone when water needs to move through the material, such as French drains, backfill zones, or some driveway surface layers. Use stone with fines when you need the material to compact into a firm base, such as a shed pad, paver base, or sub-base layer below a driveway.

Can I use river rock or pea gravel on a walkway? +

Not ideal. Rounded stones roll underfoot — uncomfortable to walk on and they migrate off the path. Angular crushed stone (limestone, granite) locks together and stays put. If you love the look of river rock, use it for borders and beds adjacent to a path made of crushed stone or pavers.

How deep should gravel or stone be for a driveway? +

A light-duty driveway surface layer often uses about 4 inches of clean angular stone, but a new build usually needs additional compacted base underneath. That is why the calculator keeps surface and base presets separate instead of pretending every driveway uses one universal depth.

Related Calculators

Gravel Calculator

Calculate gravel in cubic yards, tons, bags, and pallets

Calculate →

Paver Base Calculator

Estimate compacted paver base plus bedding sand together

Calculate →

Retaining Wall Calculator

Calculate blocks, caps, drainage stone, fabric, pipe, and gravel for retaining walls

Calculate →

Clean Stone vs Stone with Fines

When to use clean stone for drainage vs stone with fines for compacted bases

Read Guide →

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Actual material requirements depend on site conditions, compaction, grading, and local building codes. Always verify measurements on-site and consult with your material supplier before purchasing.