How Much Crusher Run for a 12x36 Parking Pad?
How much crusher run for a 12x36 parking pad: at 4 inches deep you need about 5.33 cubic yards, which is roughly 8.3 tons at 1.55 tons per yard. The parking pad covers 432 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 1.33 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 12x36 parking pad
- Area: 12 × 36 = 432 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 432 × 0.333 = 144.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 5.33 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.55 = 8.3 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Crusher run needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 4.00 | 6.2 | 6.8 |
| 4 in | 5.33 | 8.3 | 9.1 |
| 6 in | 8.00 | 12.4 | 13.6 |
| 8 in | 10.67 | 16.5 | 18.2 |
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 parking pad
Dig out organic soil, compact the subgrade and set an edge so the stone does not migrate onto the lawn. A pad that holds parked weight for long periods benefits from a dense base under the surface stone. Since the parking pad carries parked vehicles, 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. 9.1 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 parking pad as firm ground allows.
Good and poor uses for 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 8x16 area at 2 inches takes about 1.2 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.55 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crusher run for a 12x36 parking pad?
About 8.3 tons at 4 inches deep, or 9.1 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 12x36 parking pad at 4 inches?
About 5.33 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 parking pad?
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 12x36?
432 square feet.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- 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 Crusher Run for a 12x24 Parking Pad?
- How Much Crusher Run for a 12x30 Parking Pad?
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