Crushed stone #57: How Deep and How Much
Published density and depth figures for crushed stone #57, each with its source shown — where sources disagree, we list both instead of averaging. All sources also on the methodology page.
Density (as published)
| As stated | Density | Source |
|---|---|---|
| #57 stone / granite gravel | 2,410 lb/cu yd | DirtConnections - How Many Tons of #57 Stone Are In a Cubic Yard |
| Crushed Stone #57 | 2,431 lb/cu yd | CalculatorSoup Gravel Calculator density table |
| #57 Granite Stone (1/2-1") | 2,410 lb/cu yd | GravelShop.com product calculator |
How deep
| Use | Depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| driveway (new, unpaved) | 3–6 in | DirtConnections - How Many Tons of #57 Stone Are In a Cubic Yard |
| driveway (existing, top-up) | 2 in | DirtConnections - How Many Tons of #57 Stone Are In a Cubic Yard |
| driveway (paved, base course) | 10 in | DirtConnections - How Many Tons of #57 Stone Are In a Cubic Yard |
| decorative/patio | 4–6 in | DirtConnections - How Many Tons of #57 Stone Are In a Cubic Yard |
A 100 sq ft area at 4.5 inches needs about 1.39 cubic yards — 1.67 to 1.69 tons depending on which cited density you use. Formula: sq ft × depth ÷ 324; tons = yards × density ÷ 2,000.
Run your own dimensions through the gravel calculator
How angular materials behave
Angular materials, including crushed stone #57 and decomposed granite, come from rock that has been mechanically crushed rather than rounded by water. UC ANR (UC Master Gardener) reports that angular gravel packs down to a nearly solid surface, naming decomposed granite as its example of the category. That locking behavior is what separates angular material from rounded gravel, which UC ANR notes never packs down completely and stays loose underfoot.
That locking is what makes angular stone useful as a base layer under driveways and patios. DirtConnections calls for at least 10 inches of #57 stone as the base course under a paved driveway, a thinner 3- to 6-inch topping layer of #57 over a base of #2 or #4 gravel on an unpaved driveway, and about 2 inches when topping up an existing driveway. Decomposed granite follows a similar pattern in Kafka Granite's Standard Pathway Mix specification: 3 inches of compacted DG for a pedestrian path, installed in 2- to 3-inch lifts if the total depth runs higher, over 4 to 6 inches of compacted road base, and 4 inches of compacted DG over 8 to 12 inches of compacted base material for a vehicular surface.
Crusher run, also sold as CR-6 or ABC, is categorized as an aggregate base course material, though this research pack turned up no verified depth figure specific to it. For patios built with #57 stone, DirtConnections calls for at least 4 inches, or 6 inches where the patio will carry heavy furniture, to keep the surface from sinking. DirtConnections also puts #57 coverage at roughly 120 square feet per ton at 2 inches of depth, 80 square feet at 3 inches, and 60 square feet at 4 inches.
What the sources say
- Coverage per ton (rule of thumb): about 120 sq ft at 2 in depth, 80 sq ft at 3 in depth, 60 sq ft at 4 in depth. (DirtConnections)
- Angular gravel (crushed stone) packs down to create a nearly solid surface, so it is generally considered more useful than rounded gravel for paths and patios that get lots of foot traffic. Smaller pieces are easier and more comfortable to walk on. (UC ANR)
Common questions
How many tons is a cubic yard of crushed stone #57?
1.21 to 1.22 tons per cubic yard across the cited figures above. Suppliers weigh loads at the scale, so their ticket beats any table.
Why do the density figures disagree?
Moisture, stone size, and compaction all move the number, and some retail calculators reuse one site-wide default. We show each source's figure with attribution so you can see which kind of source it is.
Planning estimates from the cited figures, as of 2026-07-13. Your supplier's scale ticket and your soil conditions decide the real number.