3 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
3 cubic yards of #57 stone in tons works out to about 4.1 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 3.9 and 4.3 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 8,100 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 3 × 1.35 = 4.1 tons.
- Low end: 3 × 1.3 = 3.9 tons.
- High end: 3 × 1.45 = 4.3 tons.
If your supplier quotes a different weight per yard, multiply by theirs.
What 3 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 486 |
| 3 in | 324 |
| 4 in | 243 |
| 6 in | 162 |
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 3 yards
Plan the delivery around 4.1 tons: one small truck 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.
When to choose #57 stone
Works well for:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Poor fit for:
- 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 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- 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.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 3 yards of #57 stone?
About 4.1 tons, with a typical range of 3.9 to 4.3.
How many pounds is 3 cubic yards of #57 stone?
About 8,100 pounds.
How much area does 3 yards of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 243 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?
- 2 Cubic Yards of #57 Stone in Tons
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