How Much Crushed Stone for a 16x8 Shed Base?
A 16 by 8 foot shed base is 128 square feet. How much crushed stone for a 16x8 shed base depends on depth: at 4 inches it is about 1.58 cubic yards or 2.2 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x8 shed base
- Area: 16 × 8 = 128 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 128 × 0.333 = 42.7 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.58 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 2.2 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Crushed stone needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.79 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| 3 in | 1.19 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| 4 in | 1.58 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 6 in | 2.37 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
About crushed stone
Crushed stone has fractured faces, so the pieces interlock when compacted. That is why it holds a driveway or pad shape better than round stone of the same size. Weight per yard is a planning number; the scale ticket at the yard is the real one.
Preparing the shed base
Level the footprint, extend the stone a foot or so beyond the shed walls for drip and drainage, and compact in lifts. A timber or block border holds the pad shape. This shed base sees a shed floor frame, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 2.4 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 shed base as firm ground allows.
Where crushed stone fits
Good uses:
- 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 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 6.8 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- 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.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crushed stone for a 16x8 shed base?
About 2.2 tons at 4 inches deep, or 2.4 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x8 shed base at 4 inches?
About 1.58 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
Usually around 1.35 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should crushed stone be for a shed base?
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 16x8?
128 square feet.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Crushed Stone Cover?
- 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 Crushed Stone for a 14x20 Shed Base?
- How Much Crushed Stone for a 14x24 Shed Base?
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