Crusher Run Calculator
A 10 by 50 foot driveway at 6 inches of crusher run is 9.26 cubic yards and 13.27 short tons at 1,700 kg/m³.
Last updated . These tools start at 1,700 kg/m³, about 1.43 US tons per cubic yard and 1.30 tonnes, which is the figure named in the density section below. A dense compacted grade near 2,000 kg/m³ is heavier; type that number only when the ticket says so.
Estimate crusher run for driveways and base layers. Choose your shape below. Where that base sits under a thinner top is the driveway depth guide. Reshaping the drive before a new course is spring driveway prep.
Crusher Run – Straight Path
Width
Calculation is based on average density of 1700 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Crusher Run – Curved Path
Calculation is based on average density of 1700 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Crusher Run – Circular Area
Calculation is based on average density of 1700 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Crusher Run – Annular Ring
Calculation is based on average density of 1700 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Rectangular Crusher Run Calculator
Calculation is based on average density of 1700 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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What Is Crusher Run?
Crusher run is a compactable base material made from crushed stone mixed with stone dust and fines. It is commonly used under driveways, walkways, patios, slabs, and other surfaces where a firm, load-bearing base is needed.
Because it contains both larger aggregate and fine particles, crusher run locks together tightly when compacted. That makes it very different from loose decorative gravel, which shifts more easily under traffic.
What People Mean by Base Material
Base material is the compacted layer under a driveway, patio, parking pad, or slab. It is the structural course, not the decorative surface. Crusher run, dense graded aggregate, and road base are the usual products because the fines lock the stone together. Clean decorative gravel and open-graded #57 stone drain well, but they do not lock into a base, so they are the wrong choice for this layer.
Strip topsoil and organic material before you place the base, then compact it in lifts instead of dumping the full depth at once. A parking pad usually needs 6 to 10 inches of compacted base, deeper than a walkway and in the same range as a residential driveway.
Crusher Run vs Other Base Materials
| Material | Main Characteristic | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher Run | Stone + fines, compacts tightly | Driveway base, patio base, sub-base |
| #57 Stone | Open-graded, better drainage | Drainage, under decks, French drains |
| Road Base / DGA | Engineered compactable blend | Pavements, roads, parking areas |
| Pea Gravel | Rounded, decorative | Landscaping, light paths |
Why Crusher Run Is Used for Base Layers
Crusher run is one of the most common base materials because it provides both stability and compaction. The larger stone pieces create structural strength, while the fines fill voids and reduce movement. This helps prevent rutting, shifting, and settlement under repeated traffic.
For that reason, crusher run is widely used for:
- Driveway base layers
- Paver patios and walkways
- Shed pads and equipment pads
- Parking areas
- General subgrade improvement
How Crusher Run Quantity Is Calculated
Crusher run volume is calculated using:
Volume = Area × Depth
The calculators above estimate area based on the selected shape, including straight paths, curved paths, circular areas, rings, and rectangles. That volume is then converted into cubic yards, cubic feet, or cubic meters, and finally into weight using density.
Typical Crusher Run Depth by Project
| Project Type | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway / light path | 3″ – 4″ |
| Paver patio base | 4″ – 6″ |
| Residential driveway | 4″ – 8″ |
| Heavy-use driveway | 8″ – 12″ |
| Shed or pad foundation | 4″ – 6″ |
| Parking pad | 6″ – 10″ |
Crusher Run Density and Weight
Crusher run typically has a density around 1,600 to 1,800 kg/m³ depending on stone type, moisture, and how tightly the material is compacted. A default value of 1,700 kg/m³ is a practical estimate for general calculations.
Keep in mind that suppliers often sell crusher run by the ton, not just by cubic yard. If your supplier provides a known tons-per-yard conversion, use the manual density override for better accuracy.
Important Installation Tips
- Excavate topsoil and soft material before installing crusher run
- Install in layers rather than placing the full depth at once
- Compact each layer thoroughly with a plate compactor or roller
- Maintain slope for drainage, especially on driveways
- Use edging where needed to help contain the base
- Order extra material to account for compaction and uneven grade
Common Mistakes When Using Crusher Run
- Using too little depth for vehicle traffic
- Skipping compaction between lifts
- Installing over wet or unstable soil
- Using crusher run where open drainage stone is actually required
- Assuming loose delivered volume equals finished compacted volume
When Crusher Run Is Not the Best Choice
Crusher run is excellent for compacted bases, but it is not ideal where maximum drainage is required. For example, French drains and some drainage trenches usually perform better with open-graded stone like #57 stone because the fines in crusher run reduce water flow.
FAQs
Is crusher run good for a driveway?
Yes. Crusher run is one of the most common driveway base materials because it compacts tightly and holds up well under vehicle loads.
How much crusher run do I need?
That depends on your project length, width, shape, and finished depth. Use the calculator above to estimate total volume and weight for your exact layout.
What is the difference between crusher run and gravel?
Crusher run contains fines and compacts tightly, while gravel is often cleaner and looser. That makes crusher run better for bases and gravel better for some drainage or decorative uses.
How much extra crusher run should I order?
Ordering 5–10% extra is common because crusher run settles during compaction and because site grades are rarely perfectly uniform.
What is the best base material for a driveway?
Crusher run, dense graded aggregate, and road base are the usual choices because they compact and support vehicle loads. Decorative gravel and open #57 stone are better for drainage or a finished surface than for the structural base.
How much crusher run do I need for a 10 by 50 foot driveway?
Six inches is the middle of the residential driveway row in the depth table. Length × width × depth ÷ 324 is 10 × 50 × 6 ÷ 324 = 9.26 cubic yards. Leave the straight-path density at 1,700 kg/m³ and the order line reads 7.08 cubic meters, 13.27 short tons, 12.03 tonnes, and 500 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
Four inches on the same drive is 6.17 cubic yards and 8.84 short tons. Eight inches is 12.35 cubic yards and 17.69 short tons. The 5–10 percent extra already recommended above sits on top of those neat volumes.
How many bags of crusher run are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it is 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. The 10 by 50 foot example is 250 cubic feet, which is why the bag line reads 500. Nobody hauls a driveway in half-cubic-foot bags.
By the pound, 1.43 short tons is about 2,860 pounds, or 58 bags of 50 pounds per cubic yard, rounded up. Order the driveway in tons.
How much does a yard of crusher run weigh?
At 1,700 kg/m³ one cubic yard is 1.43 US tons, about 2,860 pounds, and 1.30 tonnes. That is loose-to-placed bulk weight, the number a quarry uses when it sells by the ton. A cubic yard of solid rock would be heavier, and you are not buying solid rock.
If the delivery ticket is a dense compacted grade around 2,000 kg/m³, the same 9.26 cubic yards weigh 15.61 short tons and 14.16 tonnes. The yardage does not change. Only the weight does.
How many square feet does a ton of crusher run cover?
One cubic yard covers 81 square feet at 4 inches and 54 square feet at 6 inches. Divide by 1.43 tons per yard and a ton covers about 57 square feet at 4 inches and 38 square feet at 6 inches. An 8 inch base drops that to about 28 square feet per ton.
A parking pad in the 6 to 10 inch row uses the low end of that coverage. Measure the finished depth after compaction, not the loose pile before you drive the plate over it.
How much crusher run do I need under a shed?
The depth table puts a shed or pad foundation at 4 to 6 inches. A 10 by 12 foot shed at 4 inches is 1.48 cubic yards and 2.12 short tons at 1,700 kg/m³. Six inches is 2.22 cubic yards and 3.18 short tons.
Strip the topsoil first, which the installation tips above already call for. Crusher run on soft organic soil pumps no matter how thick you make the number.
Can I use crusher run in a French drain?
No. The fines that make it lock under a tire also plug the voids a drain needs. The section above already points drainage work at open #57 stone. A 10 foot trench that wants clean stone should be estimated on the crushed stone or French drain page, not as crusher run.
A driveway can still shed water. Crown it and keep the crusher run for the driving surface, and put the open stone only where water is supposed to disappear.
Crusher run coverage at 1,700 kg/m³
The depth table above picks the job. These rows turn that depth into yards for the 10 by 50 foot drive, using 1.43 short tons per cubic yard. Square feet per cubic yard is 324 divided by the depth in inches.
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per short ton | 10×50 ft drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | 81 | 57 | 6.17 yd³ / 8.84 tons |
| 6 inches | 54 | 38 | 9.26 yd³ / 13.27 tons |
| 8 inches | 40.5 | 28 | 12.35 yd³ / 17.69 tons |
Worked example: a 10×50 ft residential drive
On the straight-path calculator enter 10 feet, 50 feet, and 6 inches. Leave 1,700 kg/m³ in the density box. The order line reads 9.26 cubic yards, 7.08 cubic meters, 13.27 short tons, 12.03 tonnes, and 500 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. That is 10 × 50 × 6 ÷ 324, then multiplied by 1.43 tons per yard.
Type 2000 in the density box only when the supplier’s compacted figure is that high. The volume stays 9.26 cubic yards and the weight becomes 15.61 short tons. A ring or a curve on this page uses the same density, so a yard of crusher run still weighs 1.43 short tons at the starting value.