How Much Does 26 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
How much does 26 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 26 tons is roughly 19.3 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 1,560 square feet. Go thinner and it covers more; go deeper and it covers less.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 26 ÷ 1.35 = 19.3 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 520 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 520 ÷ 0.333 = 1,560 sq ft.
Coverage of 26 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3,120 | 347 |
| 3 in | 2,080 | 231 |
| 4 in | 1,560 | 173 |
| 6 in | 1,040 | 116 |
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 26 tons
For delivery, 26 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.
When to choose #57 stone
Best suited to:
- 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 2 inches takes about 3.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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 26 tons of #57 stone?
About 19.3 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 26 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,560 square feet.
How many square feet does 26 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 3,120 square feet.
How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.
Will 26 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 24 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
- How Much Does 25 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
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