How Much Crushed Stone for a 8x20 Shed Base?
How much crushed stone for a 8x20 shed base: at 4 inches deep you need about 1.98 cubic yards, which is roughly 2.8 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. The shed base covers 160 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.49 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 8x20 shed base
- Area: 8 × 20 = 160 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 160 × 0.333 = 53.3 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.98 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 2.8 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 | 0.99 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 3 in | 1.48 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| 4 in | 1.98 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| 6 in | 2.96 | 4.1 | 4.6 |
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. 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. Since the shed base carries a shed floor frame, 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. 3.0 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
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 2 inches takes about 3.9 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.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crushed stone for a 8x20 shed base?
About 2.8 tons at 4 inches deep, or 3.0 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 8x20 shed base at 4 inches?
About 1.98 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 8x20?
160 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 8x14 Shed Base?
- How Much Crushed Stone for a 8x16 Shed Base?
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