20 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
20 cubic yards of #57 stone in tons works out to about 27.0 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 26.0 and 29.0 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 54,000 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 20 × 1.35 = 27.0 tons.
- Low end: 20 × 1.3 = 26.0 tons.
- High end: 20 × 1.45 = 29.0 tons.
Quarries can tell you the weight per yard for their own product; use it if you have it.
What 20 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 3,240 |
| 3 in | 2,160 |
| 4 in | 1,620 |
| 6 in | 1,080 |
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 20 yards
At about 27.0 tons, this is more than one typical truckload. 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.
When to choose #57 stone
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 14x28 area at 2 inches takes about 3.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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 20 yards of #57 stone?
About 27.0 tons, with a typical range of 26.0 to 29.0.
How many pounds is 20 cubic yards of #57 stone?
About 54,000 pounds.
How much area does 20 yards of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,620 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?
- 18 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
- 19 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
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