Crushed Limestone Calculator: Estimate Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags (2026 Cost Guide)
Angular crushed stone (#57, #411 or screenings) that locks together when compacted — the standard base for patios, sheds and driveways.
Crushed limestone's sharp edges interlock under a plate compactor to create a stable, well-draining base. It is sold in several gradations: #57 (3/4" clean stone) for drainage, #411 or 'crusher run' with fines for compacted bases, and screenings for leveling under pavers. Most base courses are 4–6 inches thick, compacted in 2-inch lifts.
1Measure your area
2Prices (optional)
+ $90 typical delivery
Your Crushed Limestone estimate
Total volume
2.72 cu. yd
Bags needed
147
Estimated weight
3.67 tons
Bulk order
3 cu. yd
- Bulk (3 yd + delivery)Best value$216
$126 material + $90 delivery
- Bagged (147 × 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$732
$4.98 per bag
Bulk delivery saves about $516. Prices are US averages — enter your local quotes above.
Can my truck haul it?
- Mid-size pickup (~1,000 lbs)8 trips
- Half-ton pickup (F-150 / Silverado 1500) (~1,500 lbs)5 trips
- 3/4-ton pickup (2500 series) (~2,500 lbs)3 trips
- 1-ton pickup (3500 series) (~4,000 lbs)2 trips
Material shopping list
| Crushed Limestone — bulk≈ 3.67 tons · $216 delivered | 3 cu. yd |
| Crushed Limestone — or bagged (0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$732 at $4.98/bag | 147 bags |
| Coverage4" deep · 10% overage included | 200 sq. ft |
Prices are estimates. Confirm bag yield (cu. ft) on the package before buying.
How much crushed limestone do I need? Quick-reference table
Pre-calculated amounts for common project sizes, including a 10% overage. Bags are based on the 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb); weight uses 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.68 | 18.3 | 37 | 0.92 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.02 | 27.5 | 55 | 1.38 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.36 | 36.7 | 74 | 1.83 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.98 | 26.4 | 53 | 1.32 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.47 | 39.6 | 80 | 1.98 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.96 | 52.8 | 106 | 2.64 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 2" | 2.72 | 73.3 | 147 | 3.67 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 3" | 4.07 | 110 | 220 | 5.5 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 4" | 5.43 | 146.7 | 294 | 7.33 tons |
How much area does a cubic yard of crushed limestone cover?
| Depth | 1 cu. yd covers | 1 ton covers | 1 bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq. ft | 240 sq. ft | 6 sq. ft |
| 2" | 162 sq. ft | 120 sq. ft | 3 sq. ft |
| 3" | 108 sq. ft | 80 sq. ft | 2 sq. ft |
| 4" | 81 sq. ft | 60 sq. ft | 1.5 sq. ft |
| 6" | 54 sq. ft | 40 sq. ft | 1 sq. ft |
The crushed limestone formula, step by step
This calculator uses the standard US bulk-material formula:Cubic Yards = (Area in sq. ft × (Depth in inches ÷ 12)) ÷ 27. Here's a worked example for a 12 × 12 ft area at 4 inches deep:
- Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet. Break irregular shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Convert depth to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12. A 4" layer is 0.333 ft.
- Calculate cubic feet and yards. Multiply square feet × depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add a waste factor. Multiply by 1.10 to add 10% for settling, compaction and spillage.
- Convert to bags and tons. Divide cubic feet by 0.5 for 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb), and multiply cubic yards by 1.35 for tons.
Result: 144 sq. ft × 0.333 ft = 48cu. ft ÷ 27 = 1.78 cubic yards. With 10% extra that's 1.96 cu. yd — about 106 bags or 2.64 tons.
Crushed Limestone cost guide (2026)
- Bulk:$30–$65 per cubic yard (US average ≈ $42), plus about $90 delivery.
- Bagged:0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb) ≈ $4.98 each — 54 bags per yard, or about $269 per cubic yard.
- Weight: 2,700 lbs per cubic yard (1.35tons). A half-ton pickup can safely carry about 0.56 cu. yd per trip.
Pro tips for installing crushed limestone
- Compact in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor — a single 6-inch lift won't compact fully.
- Lightly mist the stone before compacting to help the fines bind.
- Compacted stone is about 15–20% denser than loose stone; the 15% waste option accounts for compaction.
- Slope the base 1/8" to 1/4" per foot away from structures for drainage.
Common uses
- Paver patio and walkway base
- Shed, hot tub and AC pad foundations
- Gravel driveways and parking pads
Crushed Limestone FAQ
How much does a yard of crushed limestone weigh?
About 2,400–2,900 lbs (1.2–1.45 tons) depending on gradation and moisture. Crusher run with fines is on the heavier end.
How thick should a crushed stone base be for a paver patio?
Use 4 inches of compacted base for patios and walkways and 6–8 inches for driveways or areas with vehicle traffic, plus 1 inch of bedding sand on top.
How many tons of crushed limestone do I need for a 12×12 pad?
A 12×12 ft pad at 4 inches deep is 1.78 cubic yards, or about 2.4 tons of limestone. Add 10–15% for compaction — order about 2.7 tons.
What's the difference between #57 and #411 limestone?
#57 is clean 3/4" stone with no fines — great for drainage but it won't compact into a hard surface. #411 (crusher run) mixes 3/4" stone with stone dust so it compacts into a solid, stable base.