How Much Does 50 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
How much does 50 tons of #57 stone cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 50 tons is roughly 37.0 cubic yards. Spread 4 inches deep, that covers about 3,000 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: 50 ÷ 1.35 = 37.0 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 1,000 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 4 inches (0.333 ft), 1,000 ÷ 0.333 = 3,000 sq ft.
Coverage of 50 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 6,000 | 667 |
| 3 in | 4,000 | 444 |
| 4 in | 3,000 | 333 |
| 6 in | 2,000 | 222 |
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 50 tons looks like on site
50 tons will usually take two or more truck loads, though legal limits vary by truck and state. 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
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 8x16 area at 2 inches takes about 1.1 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- 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.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 50 tons of #57 stone?
About 37.0 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 50 tons of #57 stone cover at 4 inches?
About 3,000 square feet.
How many square feet does 50 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 6,000 square feet.
How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.45 tons.
Will 50 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 40 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
- How Much Does 45 Tons of #57 Stone Cover?
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