How Much Limestone Screenings for a 16x20 Patio?
How much limestone screenings for a 16x20 patio is a quick volume problem. 320 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.96 cubic yards. Limestone screenings usually weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 4.1 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x20 patio
- Area: 16 × 20 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.250 = 80.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 4.1 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Limestone screenings needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.99 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2 in | 1.98 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| 3 in | 2.96 | 4.1 | 4.6 |
About limestone screenings
Limestone screenings are the fine dust and chips left after crushing limestone. They pack very tight, which makes them a common setting bed for pavers and flagstone and a surface for paths. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
Preparing the patio
Remove sod, level the area with a slight slope away from the house, and lay landscape fabric if weeds are a concern. Edging keeps loose material inside the patio footprint. This patio sees foot traffic and furniture, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 4.6 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
- Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the patio as firm ground allows.
When to choose limestone screenings
Works well for:
- Paver and flagstone setting beds
- Firm walking paths
- Top-dressing a compacted stone base
Poor fit for:
- Deep layers on their own
- Low spots that collect water
- Under heavy vehicle traffic without a base
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of limestone screenings (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 4 inches takes about 8.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- 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.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
Questions people ask
How many tons of limestone screenings for a 16x20 patio?
About 4.1 tons at 3 inches deep, or 4.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x20 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.96 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of limestone screenings weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should limestone screenings be for a patio?
The table above shows 1 to 3 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 16x20?
320 square feet.
Related guides
- #10 Stone (Stone Dust): Size, Uses and How Many Tons
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much Limestone Screenings for a 16x16 Patio?
- How Much Limestone Screenings for a 16x18 Patio?
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