How this stone calculator works
All stone is the same arithmetic — volume × density — and the type only changes the density and the price:
tons = yd³ × density × (1 + waste%) → rounded up to ¼ ton
Worked example: stone tons for a 15 × 10 bed
150 ft² at 3 in is 37.5 ft³ — 1.39 yd³. In crushed stone at 1.4 t/yd³ that's 1.94 tons; with 5% waste the scale order is 2.25 tons, about $101. One ton stretches ≈ 77 ft² at this depth.
How many tons of stone per cubic yard?
| Stone | t/yd³ | 1 ton @ 3″ |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed (¾″ minus) | 1.4 | 77 ft² |
| Clean #57 / river rock | 1.35 | 80 ft² |
| Pea / small decorative | 1.3 | 83 ft² |
| Job | Use |
|---|---|
| Driveway build | Gravel driveway |
| Base course | Road base |
| Decorative beds | River rock |
| Size lookup | Size chart |
Stone FAQ
How many tons of stone do I need?
Area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 for cubic yards, then × the stone’s density: the default 15 × 10 ft bed at 3 in is 1.39 yd³ of crushed stone — 1.94 tons, ordered as 2.25 with 5% waste, about $101 at $45 a ton.
How do I convert yards of stone to tons?
Multiply by the density: 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed stone with fines, 1.35 for clean #57 and river rock, 1.3 for pea and small decorative stone. The picker applies it for you — and the reverse trip lives on the cubic-yards-to-tons converter.
How much does a ton of stone cover?
About 77 ft² at 3 in deep in crushed stone — 80 in clean #57, 83 in pea. Halve those at 6 in. The live coverage line under the drawing recomputes for your depth and stone.
What is the difference between crushed, clean, and decorative stone?
Crushed stone with fines compacts into a structural mat — bases and driveways. Clean (washed) stone stays open and drains — French drains, #57 toppings. Decorative stone (river rock, pea) is round and stays loose — beds and borders, never under load.
How much does a ton of stone cost?
Roughly $35–60 per ton for crushed and clean construction stone in 2026, and $70–130 for decorative river rock and specialty colors, plus delivery. The editable price fields track your local quote.
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