Enter the size of a driveway, pad or path and the compacted depth you want. The calculator adds the volume crusher run loses when it is compacted and gives the tons and loose cubic yards to order.
How to use the crusher run calculator
- Choose a rectangle or a circle and enter the size of the area. Split an L-shaped drive into two rectangles and add the results.
- Enter the depth you want after compacting, not the loose depth.
- Leave compaction at 15% or raise it toward 20% for a soft base or heavy rolling.
- Enter your quarry’s weight per cubic yard if you have it, and a price per ton or yard for a cost.
Crusher run formulas
Compacted volume (ft³) = length (ft) × width (ft) × compacted depth (ft) Loose volume (ft³) = compacted volume × (1 + compaction %) Loose cubic yards = loose volume ÷ 27 Tons = loose cubic yards × weight per yd³ (lb) ÷ 2,000
Crusher run is crushed stone mixed with stone dust. The fines fill the gaps between the stones, so the layer packs down when you compact it. Hello Gravel puts that loss at around 15 to 20 percent of the loose volume, which is why ordering only the finished volume leaves you short.
Worked example: a 50 × 12 ft driveway, 4 in compacted
- Area: 50 × 12 = 600 ft².
- Compacted volume: 600 × (4 ÷ 12) = 200 ft³, or 7.41 yd³.
- Add 15% for compaction: 200 × 1.15 = 230 ft³, or 8.52 loose yd³.
- Tons: 8.52 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 11.5 tons.
Without the compaction allowance the same drive works out to 10 tons, about 1.5 tons short.
Crusher run per 100 square feet
With 15% for compaction and 2,700 lb per loose cubic yard:
| Compacted depth | Loose yards per 100 ft² | Tons per 100 ft² | One ton covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.71 yd³ | 0.96 tons | 104 ft² |
| 3 in | 1.06 yd³ | 1.44 tons | 70 ft² |
| 4 in | 1.42 yd³ | 1.92 tons | 52 ft² |
| 6 in | 2.13 yd³ | 2.87 tons | 35 ft² |
| 8 in | 2.84 yd³ | 3.83 tons | 26 ft² |
Crusher run for common driveway sizes
| Driveway | Tons at 4 in compacted | Tons at 6 in compacted |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 10 ft | 3.8 | 5.7 |
| 40 × 10 ft | 7.7 | 11.5 |
| 50 × 12 ft | 11.5 | 17.2 |
| 60 × 16 ft | 18.4 | 27.6 |
| 100 × 12 ft | 23 | 34.5 |
How deep should crusher run be?
Hello Gravel recommends 4 to 6 compacted inches for a home driveway: 4 in for cars and light trucks, 6 in for heavier vehicles, and up to 8 in for commercial or very heavy loads. Most other crusher run jobs, such as shed pads and paths, use 3 to 6 in. Soft or wet ground needs a thicker base, so check with a local contractor if the soil ruts under a wheelbarrow.
How much does crusher run weigh?
Select Sand & Gravel says clean crushed stone weighs about 2,700 to 2,800 lb per cubic yard, and crusher run, with its stone dust, can reach 3,000 lb (1.5 tons). This page uses 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) per loose yard. If your quarry sells by the ton, ask for their weight per yard and enter it; a heavier figure means more tons for the same area.
Other names for crusher run
Depending on the region, you may see it sold as crush and run, road crush, dense grade aggregate (DGA), quarry process (QP) or CR-6, according to Hello Gravel. Recycled concrete is sometimes sold as crusher run too; it weighs less, so ask for its weight per yard.
Crusher run or clean stone?
Crusher run compacts into a firm, almost solid base, so it suits driveways, parking pads and the layer under pavers. Clean stone such as #57 has the fines washed out: water drains through it, but it stays loose. Use the crushed stone calculator for clean stone and the paver base calculator for a base with sand on top.
Tips for ordering crusher run
- Order by the ton when you can. Quarries weigh trucks on a scale, so tons are what you pay for. Use the loose yards to check that the load fits the truck.
- Compact in layers. Spread and compact a thick base in two or more passes rather than all at once.
- Dampen it before compacting. Slightly moist crusher run packs tighter than dry or soaked material.
- Keep a little for touch-ups. Low spots show up after the first rain and the first few weeks of traffic.
Questions
How much crusher run do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × compacted depth in feet, add 15% for compaction, divide by 27 for loose yards and multiply by 1.35 for tons. A 50 × 12 ft drive at 4 in compacted takes about 11.5 tons.
How many square feet does a ton of crusher run cover?
About 52 ft² at 4 in compacted and about 35 ft² at 6 in, with 15% for compaction and 2,700 lb per loose yard.
How many tons of crusher run are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons per loose yard at 2,700 lb, and up to 1.5 tons for heavier loads. A compacted yard holds more material: with 15% for compaction it takes about 1.55 tons of loose crusher run to fill.
Should I add extra for compaction?
Yes. Crusher run loses about 15 to 20 percent of its loose volume when compacted, so enter the finished depth and let the calculator add the allowance.
Sources
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh? A Contractor’s Guide, Select Sand & Gravel, Feb 28, 2026.
Used for: Weight of crushed stone (2,700–2,800 lb per yard) and crusher run (up to 3,000 lb per yard). - Crusher Run Calculator, Hello Gravel.
Used for: 15–20% volume loss on compaction, recommended driveway depths and other names for crusher run. - NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for units listed alphabetically, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Used for: Exact inch and foot definitions; cubic foot and cubic yard conversions.