Stone Calculator
Calculate landscape stone cubic yards, tons, bags, and cost for driveways, paths, drainage, and garden beds.
Project Dimensions
Application preset
Driveway
4" typical
Angular stone for vehicle traffic. Use 12-15% for compaction and grading.
Angular stone for bases, drainage, driveways, and general utility work. · 1.4 t/yd³ · $40/ton
Ready to calculate
Enter your project dimensions
Last updated June 9, 2026 by our expert review team
Choose Stone By Project
Start with the job, then pick the shape of stone. Color is secondary.
Decorative beds
2" typical depth
Pick: River rock, lava rock, marble chips
Avoid: Dense base stone against plant crowns
Fabric plus edging keeps the bed clean.
Paths and patios
2.5-3" typical depth
Pick: Pea gravel or decomposed granite
Avoid: Large river rock under chairs
Use edging on both sides before stone.
Driveway/top layer
4" typical depth
Pick: Crushed stone or limestone
Avoid: Round river rock under tires
Compact in shallow lifts over a stable base.
Drainage trench
8-12" typical depth
Pick: Washed clean stone with no fines
Avoid: Stone dust or compacted fines
Wrap the trench with non-woven fabric.
Expert Contributors
Ruth Wairimu
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
See full profileHawkin
Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated June 2026
How we verify our calculatorsBuild The Stone System
A stone job is usually four decisions: finish, containment, separation, and grade prep.
Finish layer
stone type and depth
Control layer
edging, trench walls, or border containment
fabric or separation layer where needed
Prepared grade
compacted base or open drain bed
Finish layer
Stone type and depth
Control layer
Edging or trench walls
Separation layer
Fabric where weeds or soil migration matter
Prepared grade
Compacted base or open drain bed
Quick rule: angular stone locks, rounded stone decorates, clean washed stone drains, and fines compact.
Stone Behavior Guide
Shape matters as much as color. Use this quick visual check before choosing stone for a base, walkway, drainage trench, or decorative bed.
Stone Type & Use Comparison
Crushed Stone/Gravel
Angular stone for bases, drainage, driveways, and general utility work.
Best for
Base, driveways, drains
Avoid
Barefoot patios
1.4 t/yd³
$40/ton avg
Compacts 10-15%
River Rock (1-3")
Rounded decorative stone for beds, borders, and dry creek lines.
Best for
Decorative beds
Avoid
Load-bearing base
1.35 t/yd³
$80/ton avg
Compacts 0-5%
River Rock (3-6")
Large rounded stone for creek beds, swales, and visual accents.
Best for
Swales, accents
Avoid
Walkable paths
1.25 t/yd³
$120/ton avg
Compacts 0-5%
Pea Gravel
Small rounded stone for walkable decorative surfaces with firm edging.
Best for
Paths, patios
Avoid
Sloped areas
1.35 t/yd³
$50/ton avg
Compacts 0-5%
Decomposed Granite
Fine crushed granite that packs into a firm path surface.
Best for
Paths, seating areas
Avoid
French drains
1.4 t/yd³
$55/ton avg
Compacts 15-20%
Lava Rock
Lightweight porous stone for decorative mulch replacement.
Best for
Mulch substitute
Avoid
Traffic areas
0.55 t/yd³
$110/ton avg
Compacts 0-5%
Limestone
Dense angular stone that locks well for bases and drive surfaces.
Best for
Driveways, base
Avoid
Acid-loving beds
1.5 t/yd³
$65/ton avg
Compacts 10-15%
Marble Chips
Bright premium decorative chips for visible beds and borders.
Best for
Display beds
Avoid
High-traffic paths
1.45 t/yd³
$150/ton avg
Compacts 0-5%
Depth & Coverage Guide
1" deep
1 yd³ covers: 324 ft²
Crushed ton: 231 ft²
Lava ton: 589 ft²
2" deep
1 yd³ covers: 162 ft²
Crushed ton: 116 ft²
Lava ton: 295 ft²
3" deep
1 yd³ covers: 108 ft²
Crushed ton: 77 ft²
Lava ton: 196 ft²
4" deep
1 yd³ covers: 81 ft²
Crushed ton: 58 ft²
Lava ton: 147 ft²
6" deep
1 yd³ covers: 54 ft²
Crushed ton: 39 ft²
Lava ton: 98 ft²
Use cubic yards for volume planning and tons for supplier quotes. The same cubic yard can weigh less than 0.6 tons as lava rock or about 1.5 tons as limestone.
Pro Tips
Use angular crushed stone or limestone for anything that must lock together. Use rounded stone only where movement is acceptable or decorative.
Compact base stone in shallow lifts. For crusher run base projects, our Crusher Run Calculator gives a tighter estimate for dense-grade aggregate.
For decorative stone paths and patios, the University of Maine Extension recommends commercial-grade woven polypropylene fabric and edging to keep gravel contained.
Schedule bulk delivery for a dry day and dump on a tarp or plywood. Stone on bare grass picks up soil that can stain lighter material.
For drainage stone around French drains, use our French Drain Calculator to estimate washed #57 stone and pipe requirements.
Need smaller decorative stone? Our Pea Gravel Calculator covers 3/8" rounded gravel for patios and pathways.
For specific crushed stone sizes (#57, #2, stone dust), use our Crushed Stone Calculator with per-ton pricing.
How the Calculator Works
This Stone Calculator is for mixed landscape stone planning: decorative beds, paths, drainage stone, paver base, driveway top layers, and general crushed stone orders. It is intentionally broader than the River Rock and Pea Gravel calculators, which focus on one material.
The math starts with volume. Length times width times depth gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Then the calculator applies the selected stone density so your result matches the tons or tonnes most landscape suppliers quote.
Waste is not just spillage. It covers uneven excavation, edge loss, and compacted base stone settling. Decorative stone may only need 5-10%. Driveway and paver bases often need 15% or more because the finished compacted layer is thinner than the loose delivered pile.
Formula
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 324
Tons = Cubic Yards × Stone Density × (1 + Waste %)
Quick Reference
- Crushed stone density
- 1.4 t/yd³
- River rock density
- 1.25-1.35 t/yd³
- Crushed at 2"
- ~116 sq ft/ton
- Small delivery minimum
- 1-3 tons typical
- Dump truck load
- 10-15 tons
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Stone
How many tons for a 2-car driveway?
A 20x20 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 6.9 tons of crushed stone before waste. Order about 7.6 to 8 tons when compaction and edge cleanup are included.
What depth of stone do I need?
Driveways: 4 inches over a 4 to 6 inch sub-base. Walkways: 2 to 3 inches over fabric. French drains: 8 to 12 inches around the pipe.
How much does a ton cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton of common crushed stone covers about 115 sq ft. At 4 inches, it covers about 58 sq ft. Lava rock covers much more area per ton because it is lighter.
Crushed stone or river rock?
Crushed stone interlocks and compacts for driveways and bases. River rock shifts under load but excels in drainage swales and decorative beds. Use our River Rock Calculator for decorative projects.
Why do suppliers quote by weight?
Weight is consistent regardless of moisture or how loosely stone is loaded. Volume can vary 10 to 20%. Our calculator converts volume to tons to match supplier quotes.
Do I need a permit?
Usually not for decorative stone. You may need one for grading over 50 cubic yards or driveway modifications. A quick call to your building department can save a $500+ fine.
What is the cheapest stone?
Crusher run and local crushed limestone are usually cheapest when bought from a quarry. They compact well for bases but are not as comfortable or polished as decorative stone.
What sand goes under pavers?
For paver bedding, you need leveling sand over your stone base. Our Sand Calculator estimates the right amount for paver, masonry, and play sand projects.
Landscape Stone Estimates for Common Projects
Decorative Foundation Bed
18×6 ft, 2" deepUse woven fabric and pin the finished edge. Keep stone below siding and weep holes. Order one full ton if your supplier rounds to the nearest half ton.
Side Yard Pathway
30×4 ft, 3" deepA compacted DG path needs firm edging on both sides. Spread in two shallow passes, mist lightly, and compact after each pass so the surface does not rut.
Driveway Top Layer
20×20 ft, 4" deepThis is only the top stone layer. A new driveway usually also needs a thicker compacted base layer below it. Confirm whether the yard quotes by ton or cubic yard.
French Drain Along Foundation
40×1.5 ft, 12" deepUse clean washed stone with no fines. Line the trench with non-woven geotextile and fold it over the stone pack before backfilling.
Landscape Stone Mistakes That Cost You Money
Measuring depth in feet instead of inches
Entering 4 feet instead of 4 inches causes a 12x over-order. A 20x10 ft area at 4 inches needs 2.5 cubic yards, not 30.
Ignoring compaction loss for base stone
Loose crushed stone compacts 10 to 15%. For 4 inches compacted, spread 4.5 to 4.6 inches loose. Set waste to at least 12% for load-bearing areas.
Using river rock in driveways or under pavers
Round stones shift under load, causing uneven settling and ruts. Use angular crushed stone (#57 or crusher run) for structural applications.
Skipping landscape fabric under decorative stone
Weeds push through within one season without fabric. Use minimum 3 oz/yd² woven geotextile, not thin spunbond that tears and degrades in 2 to 3 years.
Ordering from multiple quarry batches
Natural stone color varies between batches. Two loads a month apart can look noticeably different. Order all material at once from the same lot.
Not prepping the subgrade first
Stone over soft soil or grass sinks within months. Strip sod, remove organics, grade for drainage (1% minimum slope), and compact before spreading.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.