How Much Does 20 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
How much does 20 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 20 tons is roughly 14.8 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 1,200 square feet. Every added inch of depth cuts the coverage noticeably.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 20 ÷ 1.35 = 14.8 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 400 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 400 ÷ 0.333 = 1,200 sq ft.
Coverage of 20 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,400 | 267 |
| 3 in | 1,600 | 178 |
| 4 in | 1,200 | 133 |
| 6 in | 800 | 89 |
About #57 stone
Since #57 is washed and open-graded, it moves a little underfoot. Many installers put it over a compacted base of a dense-graded stone rather than straight on soil. 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.
Planning around 20 tons
For delivery, 20 tons means multiple trips or a larger truck. 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.
Where #57 stone fits
Works well for:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Less suited to:
- 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 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 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.
- 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.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 20 tons of #57 stone?
About 14.8 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 20 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,200 square feet.
How many square feet does 20 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 2,400 square feet.
How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.
Will 20 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 18 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
- How Much Does 19 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
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