How Much Does 16 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
How much does 16 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 16 tons is roughly 11.9 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 960 square feet. Halve the depth and you roughly double the area.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 16 ÷ 1.35 = 11.9 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 320 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 320 ÷ 0.333 = 960 sq ft.
Coverage of 16 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1,920 | 213 |
| 3 in | 1,280 | 142 |
| 4 in | 960 | 107 |
| 6 in | 640 | 71 |
About #57 stone
#57 stone is a clean crushed stone in roughly the 1/2 to 1 inch range with very few fines. It drains fast, which suits drainage layers and the top of a gravel drive, but it does not pack into a hard crust by itself. Weight runs about 1.3 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so treat the table as a planning range rather than an exact figure.
What 16 tons looks like on site
For delivery, 16 tons is in the range of one full tandem load. Ask the supplier how they will split it. 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 #57 stone
Works well for:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Poor fit for:
- A standalone base, since it does not pack hard without fines
- Paver setting beds
- Walk paths meant for strollers or wheelchairs
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of #57 stone (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 15x30 area at 2 inches takes about 3.8 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- 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.
- 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 cubic yards is 16 tons of #57 stone?
About 11.9 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 16 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 960 square feet.
How many square feet does 16 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 1,920 square feet.
How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.
Will 16 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
- Number 57 Stone: Size, Weight, Uses, and Coverage
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does 14 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
- How Much Does 15 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.