How Much Crushed Stone for a 12x20 Carport?
How much crushed stone for a 12x20 carport: about 4.1 tons at 4 inches deep and 6.2 tons at 6 inches, over 240 square feet.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 240.0 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic yards: 240.0 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 4.1 tons.
The crushed stone calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Crusher Run for a 12x20 Carport?
Crushed stone needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of crushed stone | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 2.96 | 4.1 | 4.6 |
| 6 in | 4.44 | 6.2 | 6.8 |
| 8 in | 5.93 | 8.3 | 9.1 |
Carport pad tips
Most steel carports can anchor into a compacted gravel pad with auger or rebar anchors. Make the pad slightly larger than the frame and keep it level so the frame goes up square.
Related: How Many Tons of Asphalt for a Carport Pad?
How deep
Use 6 inches of compacted stone if you park pickups or trailers under it; 4 inches is the minimum for cars on firm soil.
Buying the stone
If you haul it yourself, a typical half-ton pickup should carry only about half a cubic yard of stone, well under what the bed looks like it can hold. Crushed stone has angular faces that lock together under a compactor, which is why it holds a pad shape. Round up by about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
Measuring the area
Use a long tape and measure each side twice. If the ground slopes, measure depth at the high and low ends and average them. Irregular outlines can be broken into simple rectangles, triangles and circles; add the pieces for the total square footage before converting to tons.
Planning the cost
Stone is usually priced per ton or per cubic yard, and delivery is often a separate charge based on distance. A full truckload can cost less per ton than a partial one, so it can pay to combine projects. Ask whether the quote includes tax, delivery and any small-load fee before you compare yards.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crushed stone for a 12x20 carport?
About 4.1 tons at 4 inches or 6.2 at 6 inches.
Can a carport sit on gravel?
Many metal carports anchor into compacted gravel with ground anchors; check your kit.
How many tons of crushed stone are in a cubic yard?
Roughly 1.4 tons for planning, but suppliers vary with stone size and moisture.
Do I need to compact it?
Yes for anything that carries weight. Compact in lifts of a few inches with a plate compactor.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Geotextile Fabric for Driveways: Woven vs Nonwoven and How Much You Need
- Compacting a Driveway Gravel Base in Lifts
- How Much Gravel for a 12x20 Carport?
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