Crushed Limestone Calculator
Cubic yards and tons of crushed limestone by area and depth.
3 to 4 in per compacted layer; driveways total 6 to 10 in in layers.
Crushed limestone runs about 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
You need
8.59 tons
Quarries sell by the ton. Round up; compaction consumes more than loose math suggests.
- Volume
- 5.93 cubic yards
- Volume in cubic feet
- 160.0 cu ft
- Coverage area
- 480 sq ft
Estimates only. Verify quantities before ordering.
How this is calculated
Volume = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 12, divided by 27 for cubic yards. Tons = cubic yards x density, defaulting to 1.45 tons per cubic yard for crushed limestone; confirm with your quarry.
Enter the area and depth, and this calculator converts it into cubic yards and tons of crushed limestone. Quarries price limestone by the ton, landscape yards often by the cubic yard, so both numbers are shown; the density field converts between them and is worth confirming with your supplier since crushed rock varies by quarry and moisture.
Limestone grades matter as much as quantity. #57 (about 3/4 to 1 inch) is the general-purpose surface and drainage stone. Crusher run or #411, which mixes stone with fines, compacts into a hard base layer for driveways and pads. #2 and #3 (2 to 4 inch) are for building up a base on soft ground. A proper driveway uses large stone at the bottom and finer material on top, in compacted layers.
Limestone for common projects
Rows use 1.45 tons per cubic yard. Driveway rows are per compacted layer, not the full built-up depth.
| Project | Tons | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft pad, 4 in | 3.58 tons | 2.47 cubic yards |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway, 4 in | 8.59 tons | 5.93 cubic yards |
| 12 x 60 ft driveway, 4 in | 12.89 tons | 8.89 cubic yards |
| 12 x 100 ft drive, 4 in | 21.48 tons | 14.81 cubic yards |
| 16 x 16 ft shed base, 6 in | 6.87 tons | 4.74 cubic yards |
Common questions
How much does crushed limestone weigh?
Loose crushed limestone runs about 2,700 to 2,900 lb per cubic yard, or roughly 1.4 to 1.5 tons. Density varies with the stone size, how much fine material is mixed in, and moisture, so use your quarry's figure when they quote one.
How much area does a ton of limestone cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 110 square feet; at 4 inches, about 55. If a quarry quotes coverage that sounds much higher, they are usually describing a thin decorative layer, not a compacted structural one.
What size limestone for a driveway?
Build in layers: 2 to 4 inch clean stone (#2 or #3) on the subgrade if the ground is soft, then crusher run or #411 compacted as the working base, topped with #57 or a finer crushed surface. Each layer should be compacted before the next goes down.
Is limestone or gravel better for a driveway?
Both work; the practical difference is what is cheap and local. Limestone's angular faces and fines lock together tightly when compacted, which makes crusher run limestone one of the best base materials. River gravel is rounder and stays looser, better as a decorative top than a base.