Order Too Little, You Pay for a Second Delivery. Order Too Much, You Own a Mountain.
Stone is sold by the ton, but your project is measured in feet and inches — and that gap is where almost everyone mis-orders. Add the wrong guess at density (pea gravel does not weigh the same as lava rock) and a missing waste allowance, and the delivery truck becomes an expensive surprise.
This free stone calculator converts your length, width, and depth into tons and cubic yards for eight common stone types, adds a customizable waste allowance, and — if you enter a price — estimates your total material cost in one click.
Stone · tons · cubic yards · coverage
Please enter a valid length, width and depth — all must be positive numbers.
Stone you need
For your project
How to Use This Calculator
- Measure your area — enter the length and width in feet (e.g., 20 × 15).
- Enter the depth in inches — how thick the stone layer will be (typical: 3–4 inches for garden beds, 4–6 inches for driveways).
- Pick your stone type — the calculator automatically uses the right density (tons per cubic yard) for each type.
- Set a waste allowance — 10% is the standard default for settling, edges, and uneven spots.
- (Optional) Enter price per ton — add your supplier’s price for an instant cost estimate.
- Click “Calculate Stone” — you get tons needed, cubic yards, the area covered, and a full step-by-step breakdown.
The Stone Formula
The math runs in four steps: measure the volume, convert to cubic yards, convert yards to tons using the stone’s density, then add your waste allowance.
Tons = Cubic yards × Density (tons/yd³) × (1 + Waste %)
Worked example
A patio bed 18 ft long × 12 ft wide × 4 inches deep with crushed stone (~1.40 tons/yd³) and a 10% waste allowance:
- Volume: 18 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft) = 72 ft³
- Cubic yards: 72 ÷ 27 = 2.67 yd³
- Base tons: 2.67 × 1.40 = 3.73 tons
- With 10% waste: 3.73 × 1.10 = 4.11 tons
So this patio needs about 4.1 tons of crushed stone — and at $45/ton, the calculator would show an estimated cost of roughly $185.
How Much Does Each Stone Type Weigh?
Density is why a stone calculator needs a stone-type selector. The same hole holds very different weights depending on what fills it:
| Stone type | Tons per cubic yard | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (1/4″ – 2″) | ~1.40 | Driveways, bases, paths |
| Pea gravel | ~1.40 | Paths, patios, play areas |
| River rock | ~1.50 | Decorative beds, drainage |
| Limestone | ~1.45 | Bases, walkways |
| Decomposed granite | ~1.40 | Natural-looking paths |
| Sand | ~1.35 | Bedding, leveling |
| Rip rap | ~1.65 | Erosion control, slopes |
| Lava rock | ~0.80 | Lightweight mulch alternative |
These are realistic industry averages. Always confirm with your supplier — some yards quote their own “bank density,” which can differ slightly.
Coverage Quick Reference
How much area one ton covers at common depths (crushed stone, ~1.40 tons/yd³):
| Depth | 1 ton covers about |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~232 sq ft |
| 2 inches | ~116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | ~77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | ~58 sq ft |
Handy for a rough check — the calculator above does the exact math for your dimensions and stone type.
Tips for Ordering Stone Like a Pro
- Measure in three spots — beds and paths are rarely flat. Take depth readings at several points and use the average.
- Keep 10% as your floor, not your ceiling — bump waste to 15–20% for irregular shapes, sloped beds, or base layers that need compacting.
- Compacting eats volume — loose depth and compacted depth differ. If you’re rolling or tamping the stone, add a little extra for compaction loss.
- Ask about delivery minimums — many suppliers have a 1-ton delivery minimum, and a second truck visit costs far more than one slightly-over order.
- Buy by the ton, think by the yard — coverage comes from volume, not weight. Two tons of heavy rip rap covers less area than two tons of light lava rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much stone do I need?
Multiply your length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft, i.e., inches ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the stone type’s density (tons per cubic yard) and add 10% waste. The calculator above does all of this in one click.
How many tons of stone per cubic yard?
It depends on the type. Crushed stone and pea gravel run about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, river rock about 1.5, rip rap about 1.65, and lightweight lava rock only about 0.8. The calculator includes these densities for eight stone types.
What area does 1 ton of stone cover?
For crushed stone at a 3-inch depth, one ton covers roughly 77 square feet. Halve the depth and it covers double the area; double the depth and it covers half. Coverage always comes from volume, not weight.
Should I add extra for waste?
Yes — 10% is the standard allowance for settling, edges, and uneven spots. Go to 15–20% for irregular shapes, slopes, or layers that will be compacted.
How thick should stone be for a driveway?
A driveway typically needs 4–6 inches of crushed stone over a prepared base. Garden beds and paths usually need 2–4 inches, while decorative rock over landscape fabric can be as thin as 2 inches.
Is stone sold by the ton or cubic yard?
Most suppliers sell stone by the ton because weight is easy to measure on a scale. A few sell by the cubic yard (the “scoop”). Knowing both numbers — which this calculator gives you — means you can compare quotes either way.
How much does a ton of crushed stone cost?
Prices vary widely by region, but in 2026 crushed stone commonly runs $35–$60 per ton at the yard, before delivery. Enter your supplier’s price per ton in the calculator for a precise cost estimate.
Can I use this calculator for round areas?
Approximately. Measure the widest diameter, use it as both length and width, then reduce the result by about 20% (since a circle covers roughly 79% of its bounding square). For the most accurate figure, split the circle into a rectangle and triangles and total them.
How many bags of stone do I need instead of ordering bulk?
Divide your total weight by the bag size: one ton is 2,000 lb, so it equals 40 bags of 50 lb (or 50 bags of 40 lb). The patio example above — 4.11 tons — would need about 164 fifty-pound bags, which is why anything beyond a small patch is almost always cheaper and easier delivered in bulk by the ton.
Does compaction change how much stone I should order?
Yes, and the math is dividing, not adding. If a layer will compact by 20%, order finished volume ÷ (1 − 0.20). A finished 2.67 cubic yards becomes 2.67 ÷ 0.80 = 3.33 cubic yards to order — about 4.67 tons of crushed stone. Simply adding 20% gives only 3.20 cubic yards and leaves you short after compacting.
Final Thoughts
Five minutes with a tape measure and this calculator is the difference between one clean delivery and two expensive ones. Enter your real dimensions, pick your actual stone type, keep the 10% waste allowance, and order with confidence.
Building Something Bigger?
Estimate concrete for footings and asphalt for paving with our other construction calculators.