Crushed stone density
Crushed stone weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard (1.35–1.6 depending on size and moisture), heavier than loose gravel because the angular faces pack tighter. That's the conversion the calculator applies — and the number quarries quote, since stone is sold by weight.
Match the stone to the job
¾-inch (#57) is the all-purpose drainage and base stone; crusher run with fines compacts into driveways; rip-rap (basketball-sized) armors drainage ditches. Depth drives everything: 2 inches for decorative, 4 for a walkway base, 6 for a patio base in two lifts. Enter your intended compacted depth and order 10% over.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — soil texture, bulk density and seeding rate guidance.
- US Geological Survey — mineral commodity data and aggregate density references.
- National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association — aggregate grading and product specification references.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.