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How Much Crusher Run for a 12x30 Patio?

How much crusher run for a 12x30 patio is a quick volume problem. 360 square feet at 3 inches comes to 3.33 cubic yards. Crusher run usually weighs about 1.5 to 1.7 compacted tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 5.2 tons.

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The math for a 12x30 patio

  1. Area: 12 × 30 = 360 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic feet: 360 × 0.250 = 90.0 cu ft.
  4. Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 3.33 yd³.
  5. Tons: × 1.55 = 5.2 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Crusher run needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons (approx.)Tons +10%
3 in3.335.25.7
4 in4.446.97.6
6 in6.6710.311.4
8 in8.8913.815.2

About crusher run

The fines in crusher run fill the gaps between stones, so it weighs more per yard than clean stone once compacted. Plan on rolling or plate-compacting it in lifts. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.

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. This patio sees foot traffic and furniture, 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. 5.7 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.

When to choose crusher run

Works well for:

  • Base under asphalt, pavers or concrete
  • Gravel drives that need a firm, packed surface
  • Shed pads and equipment pads

Think twice for:

  • Drainage layers, since the fines slow water
  • Decorative beds
  • Spots where you want water to soak straight through

Quick reference numbers

  • Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.48 tons of crusher run (0.31 cubic yards).
  • Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.8 tons.
  • Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 2 inches takes about 4.8 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.55 tons per cubic yard.

Mistakes that throw off the order

  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
  • Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
  • 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 crusher run for a 12x30 patio?

About 5.2 tons at 3 inches deep, or 5.7 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 12x30 patio at 3 inches?

About 3.33 cubic yards.

How much does a cubic yard of crusher run weigh?

Usually around 1.5 to 1.7 compacted tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.

How deep should crusher run be for a patio?

The table above shows 3 to 8 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.

How many square feet is 12x30?

360 square feet.

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