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How Much Does 40 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?

How much does 40 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 40 tons is roughly 29.6 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 2,400 square feet. Every added inch of depth cuts the coverage noticeably.

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How the coverage is figured

  1. Tons to cubic yards: 40 ÷ 1.35 = 29.6 yd³.
  2. Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 800 cu ft.
  3. Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 800 ÷ 0.333 = 2,400 sq ft.

Coverage of 40 tons at different depths

DepthSquare feet coveredSquare yards
2 in4,800533
3 in3,200356
4 in2,400267
6 in1,600178

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 40 tons

For delivery, 40 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.

Good and poor uses for #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

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 15x30 area at 4 inches takes about 7.5 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Mistakes that throw off the order

  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
  • Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
  • 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 40 tons of #57 stone?

About 29.6 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.

How many square feet does 40 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?

About 2,400 square feet.

How many square feet does 40 tons cover at 2 inches?

About 4,800 square feet.

How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?

About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.

Will 40 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

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