How Much #57 Stone for a 14x18 Patio?
How much #57 stone for a 14x18 patio is a quick volume problem. 252 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.33 cubic yards. #57 stone usually weighs about 1.3 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 3.2 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 14x18 patio
- Area: 14 × 18 = 252 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 252 × 0.250 = 63.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.33 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 3.2 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
#57 stone needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.56 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| 3 in | 2.33 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
| 4 in | 3.11 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| 6 in | 4.67 | 6.3 | 6.9 |
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. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
Preparing the patio
Remove sod, level the area with a slight slope away from the house, and lay landscape fabric if weeds are a concern. Edging keeps loose material inside the patio footprint. Since the patio carries foot traffic and furniture, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 3.5 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
- Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the patio as firm ground allows.
Good and poor uses for #57 stone
Best suited to:
- 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 8x16 area at 3 inches takes about 1.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- 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 of #57 stone for a 14x18 patio?
About 3.2 tons at 3 inches deep, or 3.5 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 14x18 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.33 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of #57 stone weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.45 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should #57 stone be for a patio?
The table above shows 2 to 6 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 14x18?
252 square feet.
Related guides
- Number 57 Stone: Size, Weight, Uses, and Coverage
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much #57 Stone for a 14x14 Patio?
- How Much #57 Stone for a 14x16 Patio?
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