groundmathshows its math, cites its data

Crushed Stone Calculator

Measure each area in feet, enter the finished depth your project calls for, and get crushed stone in cubic yards and tons — with the compaction allowance for a finished base shown as its own line, never silently baked in.

Areas to cover (measure in feet; add one entry per section)
Depth and application

Enter at least one area and a depth to see how much crushed stone to order.

How this is calculated

Formula v1.0 · Data v2026.4, verified 2026-07-31

  1. Shape areas are summed and multiplied by the finished depth:volume = total area × depth (at depth d inches,cubic yards = square feet × d ÷ 324).
  2. For a compacted base, the loose volume to order isfinished volume × (1 + 36–47 %) — the measured compacted-to-loose expansion for ¾-inch dense graded base, shown as its own line.
  3. Tonnage = finished volume × 1.75–2.1 tons per cubic yard (compacted in place) — shown as a range because the conversion genuinely varies by quarry; in loose-fill mode the factor is discounted by the measured expansion instead.

Data used, with sources

ValueUsed asSource
Tonnage conversion 1.75–2.1 tons/cu yd (compacted)tonnage shown as a range — WisDOT statewide conversion factor for Dense Graded Base ¾-inch ("crusher run"-type graded base with fines), compacted in place; WHRP field measurements for the same class ran 1.80–1.86 tons/yd³, which is where the default sits. Clean open-graded stone (#57) runs lighter. Your supplier’s conversion governs.Wisconsin Department of Transportation / Wisconsin Highway Research Program
Compaction: +36–47 % loose over finished volumecompaction allowance, shown as its own result line in compacted-base modeWisconsin Department of Transportation / Wisconsin Highway Research Program

WHRP-measured compacted→loose expansion for Dense Graded Base ¾-inch is 36–47 %: a load of loose material shrinks by that much when compacted to a finished base, so ordering loose volume for a compacted project needs the extra. Skip it for loose decorative fill.

Why compaction is its own line

Most calculators quietly inflate their result by some fudge factor — or worse, ignore compaction entirely and leave you a third short on a driveway base. This one shows the correction separately, at the measured 36–47 %, so you can see what you are paying for and drop it when it does not apply (decorative fill, French-drain stone, anything left loose).

Choosing a finished depth

This page deliberately has no depth preset. Base thickness is an engineering judgment that depends on your soil, expected traffic, and frost — a number that honestly cannot be generalized from a calculator page. Use the depth from your project plan, paver manufacturer's spec, or contractor; if a structure rides on it, that spec — not this estimate — governs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
Compacted in place, the cited engineering range is 1.75–2.1 tons (3,500–4,200 lb) per cubic yard for ¾-inch dense graded base. Loose material in a truck runs roughly a quarter to a third lighter — the same report measures 36–47 % expansion from compacted to loose. Your supplier's scale ticket governs.
What is crusher run (dense graded base)?
Crushed stone graded from a top size (commonly ¾ inch) down to stone dust. The fines let it lock together and compact into a tight, load-bearing layer — which is why it is the standard base under driveways, patios, and paths, and why the compaction allowance on this page exists. Clean single-size stone like #57 has no fines: it stays loose, drains freely, and barely compacts.
Why is there no recommended depth on this page?
Because no honest universal number exists: base thickness depends on your soil, traffic, and frost conditions. A citable homeowner-level recommendation could not be found, so this calculator asks for the finished depth your project plan or contractor specifies instead of inventing a default.
Do I have to account for compaction when ordering?
For a compacted base, yes — loose material shrinks when compacted. The cited measurement for ¾-inch graded base is 36–47 %: to end up with one finished cubic yard you need to buy roughly 1.4 loose cubic yards. If you buy by the ton this takes care of itself, because tonnage quotes convert from in-place volume.

Sources

Quantities on this page are planning estimates, not engineering advice or a purchase guarantee — product sizes vary by producer, so confirm coverage with your supplier before ordering.A load-bearing base under a structure is an engineering matter — follow your local code and project specification.