16 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
16 cubic yards of #57 stone in tons works out to about 21.6 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 20.8 and 23.2 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 43,200 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 16 × 1.35 = 21.6 tons.
- Low end: 16 × 1.3 = 20.8 tons.
- High end: 16 × 1.45 = 23.2 tons.
If your supplier quotes a different weight per yard, multiply by theirs.
What 16 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,592 |
| 3 in | 1,728 |
| 4 in | 1,296 |
| 6 in | 864 |
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 16 yards
Plan the delivery around 21.6 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.
Where #57 stone fits
Good uses:
- 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 15x30 area at 3 inches takes about 5.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- 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.
- 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 16 yards of #57 stone?
About 21.6 tons, with a typical range of 20.8 to 23.2.
How many pounds is 16 cubic yards of #57 stone?
About 43,200 pounds.
How much area does 16 yards of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,296 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?
- 14 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
- 15 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
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