How Much Crusher Run for a 16x16 Patio?
How much crusher run for a 16x16 patio is a quick volume problem. 256 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.37 cubic yards. Crusher run usually weighs about 1.5 to 1.7 compacted tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 3.7 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x16 patio
- Area: 16 × 16 = 256 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 256 × 0.250 = 64.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.37 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.55 = 3.7 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 | 2.37 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| 4 in | 3.16 | 4.9 | 5.4 |
| 6 in | 4.74 | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| 8 in | 6.32 | 9.8 | 10.8 |
About crusher run
Crusher run (also sold as crush and run, dense-grade aggregate or QP in some regions) mixes stone with stone dust. It compacts into a firm, nearly solid layer, which makes it the usual base under pavers, asphalt and gravel drives. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
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. Since the patio carries foot traffic and furniture, 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. 4.0 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 patio 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 15x30 area at 4 inches takes about 8.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.55 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- 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 crusher run for a 16x16 patio?
About 3.7 tons at 3 inches deep, or 4.0 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x16 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.37 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 16x16?
256 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 16x12 Patio?
- How Much Crusher Run for a 16x14 Patio?
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