How Much Crushed Stone for 3,000 Square Feet?
How much crushed stone for 3,000 square feet depends on depth. At 4 inches you need about 37.04 cubic yards, roughly 51.9 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. Each inch of depth over 3,000 square feet adds about 9.26 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Crushed stone for 3,000 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 18.52 | 25.9 | 28.5 |
| 3 in | 27.78 | 38.9 | 42.8 |
| 4 in | 37.04 | 51.9 | 57.0 |
| 6 in | 55.56 | 77.8 | 85.6 |
Working it out
- 3,000 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 1,000.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 37.04 cubic yards.
- × 1.4 tons per yard = 51.9 tons.
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. Most suppliers will quote 1.35 to 1.5 tons per yard for this material.
Getting the order right
- Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
- Bulk or bags. Bulk delivery is the practical choice here.
- Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.
Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.
Where crushed stone fits
Best suited to:
- Driveway top courses and parking pads
- Shed and hot tub bases
- Backfill behind walls when a clean size is used
Poor fit 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 15x30 area at 3 inches takes about 5.8 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- 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.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crushed stone for 3,000 square feet?
About 51.9 tons at 4 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of crushed stone for 3,000 square feet?
About 37.04 yards at 4 inches.
How much crushed stone for 3,000 square feet at 2 inches?
About 25.9 tons, or 18.52 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 1.35 to 1.5 tons.
Should I add extra?
Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Crushed Stone Cover?
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
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