Stone Calculator
Estimate crushed stone, river rock, and decorative landscape rock tonnage, cubic yards, and 50-lb retail bags.
= 4.89 Cubic Yards (6.43 Metric Tonnes)
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What Is a Stone Calculator?
A stone calculator calculates the tonnage and volume of crushed stone, washed river rock, and decorative rip-rap required for drainage swales, retaining wall backfill, and garden landscaping.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter length and width of the stone bed in feet.
- Enter the stone layer thickness in inches.
- Select the rock variety (#57 Crushed Stone, Smooth River Rock, Pea Gravel, or Base Stone).
- Review the calculated tonnage, cubic yards, and equivalent 50-lb bags.
Crushed Stone Tonnage Equation
\text{Tons} = \frac{L \times W \times (D / 12)}{27} \times 1.10 \times \rho_{\text{stone}}Standard #57 crushed limestone has a bulk density of 1.45 tons per cubic yard (2,900 lbs/yd³). River rock averages 1.35 tons/yd³.
Worked Example
Scenario: Filling a 30 ft by 4 ft dry creek bed with 4 inches of decorative river rock.
Square footage: 30 × 4 = 120 sq ft.
Volume: 120 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cu ft.
Cubic yards with 10% allowance: (40 ÷ 27) × 1.10 = 1.63 cu yds.
Tonnage (river rock @ 1.35 tons/yd³): 1.63 × 1.35 = 2.20 tons.
Tips & Key Notes
- For french drains, always specify washed #57 stone without stone dust to allow free-flowing water infiltration.
- River rocks larger than 2 inches should be installed at a minimum depth of 4 to 5 inches to fully conceal the soil or weed barrier.
- Rinse decorative stone after installation to wash off aggregate quarry dust and reveal natural vibrant rock colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gravel and crushed stone?
Gravel is naturally rounded stone shaped by water erosion (like river rock and pea gravel). Crushed stone is mechanically quarried and crushed, producing sharp, angular edges that interlock tightly for stable bases.
What size is #57 crushed stone?
#57 stone refers to aggregate graded between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inch in size. It is the most widely used stone size in America for driveways, concrete mix, and drainage.
How much does 1 cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700 to 2,900 pounds (1.35 to 1.45 US tons).
How many 50 lb bags of stone are in a ton?
There are exactly 40 fifty-pound bags in one US ton (2,000 lbs ÷ 50 lbs = 40 bags).
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