How Much Does 12 Tons of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Cover?
How much does 12 tons of recycled concrete aggregate cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, 12 tons is roughly 9.2 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 748 square feet. Every added inch of depth cuts the coverage noticeably.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 12 ÷ 1.3 = 9.2 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 249 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 249 ÷ 0.333 = 748 sq ft.
Coverage of 12 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 997 | 111 |
| 4 in | 748 | 83 |
| 6 in | 498 | 55 |
About recycled concrete aggregate
Recycled concrete aggregate is crushed old concrete. It compacts well and often costs less than virgin stone, which makes it a common driveway and pad base. Weight runs about 1.2 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so treat the table as a planning range rather than an exact figure.
Putting 12 tons to use
12 tons is about one tandem-axle truck load, though legal limits vary by truck and state. Spread from the pile with a loader, skid steer or wheelbarrow, then rake to depth before compacting if the material calls for it.
- Check depth as you go. Stakes marked at the target depth help keep the spread even.
- Expect some loss. Compaction and uneven ground use more than the flat-math figure. Keep about 10 percent in reserve.
- Ask about moisture. Wet material weighs more, so a ton of it covers less.
To run your own numbers, use the volume and tonnage calculator.
Good and poor uses for recycled concrete aggregate
Good uses:
- Driveway and pad bases
- Temporary construction entrances
- Fill under slabs when compacted in lifts
Poor fit for:
- Near ponds, streams or sensitive plants, since fresh crush can raise pH
- Decorative top layers
- Drainage layers, unless the product is clean and screened
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.40 tons of recycled concrete aggregate (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.0 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 3 inches takes about 6.0 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.3 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 12 tons of recycled concrete aggregate?
About 9.2 cubic yards at 1.3 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 12 tons of recycled concrete aggregate cover at 4 inches?
About 748 square feet.
How many square feet does 12 tons cover at 3 inches?
About 997 square feet.
How much does a yard of recycled concrete aggregate weigh?
About 1.2 to 1.4 tons.
Will 12 tons fit in one truck?
It depends on the truck. Single-axle dump trucks often carry under 10 tons and tandems around 13 to 16; your supplier will know their limits.
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 10 Tons of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Cover?
- How Much Does 11 Tons of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Cover?
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