How Much Crushed Stone Under a 12x12 Deck?
A 12 by 12 foot deck covers 144 square feet. At 3 inches of crushed stone, plan on 1.33 cubic yards, or about 1.9 tons, which answers how much crushed stone under a 12x12 deck.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 144.0 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic yards: 144.0 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 1.33 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 1.9 tons.
The crushed stone calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Pea Gravel Under a 12x12 Deck?
Crushed stone needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of crushed stone | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.89 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| 3 in | 1.33 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| 4 in | 1.78 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| 6 in | 2.67 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Building the deck base
Gravel under a deck blocks weeds, keeps the ground from turning to mud and lets water drain. Lay landscape fabric first, then about 2 to 3 inches of stone; there is no need to compact it the way you would a driveway base.
Related: How Much #57 Stone Under a 12x12 Deck?
Before the stone goes in
Remove sod and roots, level the area and slope it slightly for drainage. Install edging so the stone stays inside the footprint.
Getting it delivered
Small dump trucks commonly carry around 5 to 10 tons and tri-axles more, but loads vary by truck and state, so ask the yard what fits in one trip. 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.
Planning the cost
Quarries and landscape suppliers set their own prices, and they change by region and season. Get the price per ton, the delivery fee and the minimum order. If two products will both work, compare cost per square foot at your depth rather than cost per ton.
Tools for the job
For anything bigger than a small path, rent a plate compactor; hand tampers cannot match it. A wheelbarrow, shovels, a hard rake and stakes with string are the rest of the kit. Wet the stone lightly before compacting so it binds.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crushed stone under a 12x12 deck?
About 1.9 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many yards of crushed stone under a 12x12 deck?
About 1.33 cubic yards.
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
- Gravel Under a Deck: Weeds, Drainage, and Depth
- 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 Pea Gravel Under a 10x12 Deck?
- How Much Gravel Under a 12x12 Deck?
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