12 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
12 cubic yards of #57 stone in tons works out to about 16.2 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 15.6 and 17.4 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 32,400 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 12 × 1.35 = 16.2 tons.
- Low end: 12 × 1.3 = 15.6 tons.
- High end: 12 × 1.45 = 17.4 tons.
The scale ticket on delivery day is the final word on weight.
What 12 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 1,944 |
| 3 in | 1,296 |
| 4 in | 972 |
| 6 in | 648 |
About #57 stone
Since #57 is washed and open-graded, it moves a little underfoot. Many installers put it over a compacted base of a dense-graded stone rather than straight on soil.
Hauling 12 yards
Plan the delivery around 16.2 tons: two or more trucks in most areas. A pickup is a poor fit for anything past a fraction of a yard; see how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry.
Before you order
- Confirm whether the yard prices #57 stone by the ton or by the yard.
- Add about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
- Clear a firm spot for the truck to dump.
The volume and tonnage calculator converts any area and depth into yards and tons.
Good and poor uses for #57 stone
Best suited to:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Less suited to:
- A standalone base, since it does not pack hard without fines
- Paver setting beds
- Walk paths meant for strollers or wheelchairs
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of #57 stone (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 10x20 area at 3 inches takes about 2.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 12 yards of #57 stone?
About 16.2 tons, with a typical range of 15.6 to 17.4.
How many pounds is 12 cubic yards of #57 stone?
About 32,400 pounds.
How much area does 12 yards of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 972 square feet.
Why does #57 stone weight vary?
Stone size, the share of fines and moisture all change how much a yard weighs.
Is it better to buy by the ton or the yard?
Either works; just convert with the supplier’s own weight per yard so the two quotes compare fairly.
Related guides
- Number 57 Stone: Size, Weight, Uses, and Coverage
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
- 10 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
- 11 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.