How Much Crusher Run for a 16x20 Patio?
A 16 by 20 foot patio is 320 square feet. How much crusher run for a 16x20 patio depends on depth: at 3 inches it is about 2.96 cubic yards or 4.6 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x20 patio
- Area: 16 × 20 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.250 = 80.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.55 = 4.6 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 | 2.96 | 4.6 | 5.1 |
| 4 in | 3.95 | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| 6 in | 5.93 | 9.2 | 10.1 |
| 8 in | 7.90 | 12.2 | 13.5 |
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. For foot traffic and furniture, the depths in the table above are a reasonable starting range.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 5.1 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 patio as firm ground allows.
When to choose crusher run
Best suited to:
- Base under asphalt, pavers or concrete
- Gravel drives that need a firm, packed surface
- Shed pads and equipment pads
Less suited to:
- 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 3 inches takes about 1.8 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.55 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.
- 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 16x20 patio?
About 4.6 tons at 3 inches deep, or 5.1 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x20 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.96 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 16x20?
320 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 16x16 Patio?
- How Much Crusher Run for a 16x18 Patio?
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