18 Cubic Yards of Crushed Stone in Tons
18 cubic yards of crushed stone in tons works out to about 25.2 tons using a planning weight of 1.4 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 24.3 and 27.0 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 50,400 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 18 × 1.4 = 25.2 tons.
- Low end: 18 × 1.35 = 24.3 tons.
- High end: 18 × 1.5 = 27.0 tons.
Quarries can tell you the weight per yard for their own product; use it if you have it.
What 18 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,916 |
| 3 in | 1,944 |
| 4 in | 1,458 |
| 6 in | 972 |
About crushed stone
Most quarries sell crushed stone by a size number or a screen size. Clean crushed stone drains well; stone with fines packs harder but sheds water more slowly.
Hauling 18 yards
Plan the delivery around 25.2 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 crushed 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.
When to choose crushed stone
Works well for:
- Driveway top courses and parking pads
- Shed and hot tub bases
- Backfill behind walls when a clean size is used
Think twice for:
- Barefoot areas, since angular stone is rough
- Play areas
- Places that need a smooth rolling surface for wheels
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of crushed stone (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 12x24 area at 3 inches takes about 3.7 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 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.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 18 yards of crushed stone?
About 25.2 tons, with a typical range of 24.3 to 27.0.
How many pounds is 18 cubic yards of crushed stone?
About 50,400 pounds.
How much area does 18 yards of crushed stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,458 square feet.
Why does crushed 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
- How Much Does a Ton of Crushed Stone Cover?
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
- 17 Cubic Yards of Crushed Stone in Tons
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