Measure the surface area and depth, then choose clean stone or stone with fines before ordering.
Tools to have ready
- Tape measure
- Depth ruler
- Supplier product sheet
- Marking paint
How to take the measurements
Mark the work area boundary.
Measure or calculate square footage.
Enter the compacted or finished depth.
Choose clean stone or stone with fines.
Adjust density and waste based on the supplier quote.
3/4 inch stone layer
- 1Surface course
- 23/4 inch stone
- 3Compacted thickness
- 4Subgrade
How the calculator works
Volume = area x depth, or known yards. Product type changes starting density and compaction.
Example: a 12 ft by 24 ft pad at 4 inches deep contains about 3.56 cubic yards before allowances.
What every field and unit means
Starting measurement
Choose project area or a direct cubic-yard conversion.
Use the method that matches your measurement.Project area
Surface area covered by 3/4 inch stone.
Unit: sq ft or m2. Measure total square footage.Known volume
Known cubic yards to convert.
Unit: cu yd. Use plan volume or supplier yardage.Stone depth
Finished layer depth.
Unit: in or cm. Measure specified thickness in inches.Product type
Changes default density and compaction behavior.
Pick the product your supplier is selling.Supplier density
Editable bulk density for the selected product.
Unit: lb/ft3 or kg/m3. Use supplier tons per cubic yard when available.Compaction allowance
Extra loose material for compacted thickness.
Unit: percent. Higher for stone with fines, lower for clean stone.Extra / waste
Percent added for cuts, spillage, edge cleanup, and small estimating errors.
Unit: percent. Use 5 percent for simple square work and 10 percent or more for irregular work. Do not enter 0 when the shape has curves, tapers, or hand trimming.Price per ton
Optional supplier price used to estimate material cost before delivery fees and taxes.
Unit: USD per US ton. Enter the quoted material price per US short ton. Leave 0 if you only need quantity.Assumptions and limits
- Stone with fines usually compacts more than clean washed stone.
- Depth is finished layer depth.
- Supplier product names vary locally.
- Does not certify gradation.
- Does not design pavement thickness.
- Crusher-run and clean stone should not be swapped blindly.
Research basis: FHWA granular base guidance, NIST unit conversions. Full methodology and image-credit notes are maintained on the Editorial Policy page.