How Much Crusher Run for a 16x20 Shed Base?
How much crusher run for a 16x20 shed base: at 4 inches deep you need about 3.95 cubic yards, which is roughly 6.1 tons at 1.55 tons per yard. The shed base covers 320 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.99 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x20 shed base
- Area: 16 × 20 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.333 = 106.7 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 3.95 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.55 = 6.1 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
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 shed base
Level the footprint, extend the stone a foot or so beyond the shed walls for drip and drainage, and compact in lifts. A timber or block border holds the pad shape. Since the shed base carries a shed floor frame, 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. 6.7 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 shed base as firm ground allows.
When to choose crusher run
Good uses:
- 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 14x28 area at 3 inches takes about 5.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.55 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- 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.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- 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 shed base?
About 6.1 tons at 4 inches deep, or 6.7 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x20 shed base at 4 inches?
About 3.95 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 shed base?
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 16x14 Shed Base?
- How Much Crusher Run for a 16x16 Shed Base?
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