How Much Does 27 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
How much does 27 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 27 tons is roughly 20.0 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 1,620 square feet. Halve the depth and you roughly double the area.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 27 ÷ 1.35 = 20.0 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 540 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 540 ÷ 0.333 = 1,620 sq ft.
Coverage of 27 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3,240 | 360 |
| 3 in | 2,160 | 240 |
| 4 in | 1,620 | 180 |
| 6 in | 1,080 | 120 |
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.
Putting 27 tons to use
For delivery, 27 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
Good uses:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Think twice 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 20x25 area at 3 inches takes about 6.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- 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.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- 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 27 tons of #57 stone?
About 20.0 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 27 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 1,620 square feet.
How many square feet does 27 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 3,240 square feet.
How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.
Will 27 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 25 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
- How Much Does 26 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
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