Crusher Run Calculator — How Much Crusher Run Do You Need?
Pre-set for crusher run at ≈1.6 tons per cubic yard — the heaviest common gravel. Enter your driveway or pad size and depth; tonnage updates instantly.
Gravel calculator
Density shown is an industry-typical value and varies by supplier — confirm before ordering.
You need
Includes +10% extra
36.0
cubic feet
1.33
cubic yards
1.87
tons (2,000 lb)
72
bags (0.5 cu ft)
≈ 0.76 m³
Estimated cost: $0.00 (at $0/ton)
Order 5–10% extra for compaction and settling — loose gravel always settles to less volume after compaction.
How much crusher run do you need? Multiply area by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.6 to convert to tons. A 12 ft × 50 ft driveway at 4 inches of compacted crusher run takes 7.4 cubic yards — nearly 12 tons. The calculator above handles your exact size, including a 5–10% compaction allowance.
What is crusher run?
Crusher run is crushed stone that has not been screened clean — a blend of angular rock and stone dust fines that compacts into an almost solid layer. Quarries sell the same idea as QP (quarry process), DGA (dense grade aggregate), road stone, or #411 with screenings. Whatever the label, the signature is gradation: particles from over an inch down to powder, so every void fills when you compact it. That gradation is why it weighs more per yard than clean stone — about 1.6 tons (roughly 3,200 lb) per cubic yard as an industry-typical value — and why it is the default driveway base across much of North America.
Best uses and recommended depth
Plan on 4–6 inches of compacted crusher run for residential driveways and shed pads, installed in 2–3 inch lifts — on weak soil, start with larger sub-base stone beneath it. Depth guidance by job:
- Driveways — 4–6″ compacted surface over decent subgrade; see the driveway calculator.
- New driveway on bare/soft ground — 8–12″ total: larger #3/#4 sub-base stone first, then crusher run.
- Shed pad — 4–6″ inside a timber perimeter, sized 1–2 ft larger than the shed.
Its fines pass almost no water, so for French drains use clean #57 crushed stone instead.
Pros and cons of crusher run
Crusher run is the most stable gravel surface you can build for the money — as long as you compact it properly and accept a dusty, utility look.
Pros
- Compacts nearly concrete-hard; resists ruts and washboarding
- Among the cheapest load-bearing surfaces available
- Fines make it easy to grade smooth and crown for drainage
- Multi-purpose: driveways, pads, bases, repairs
Cons
- Dust: fines track into cars and homes when dry
- Requires a plate compactor (rental) for real performance
- Poor drainage through the layer — crown or slope it
- Not decorative; gray and utilitarian
Crusher run price: what to expect
Typical published US prices put crusher run at $25–$55 per ton or $30–$65 per cubic yard delivered — commonly quoted as $0.40–$1.00 per square foot installed at 4 inches. One full truckload beats two short loads, so round up with the 5–10% allowance rather than ordering the exact loose volume. Compare totals with the gravel cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a crusher run driveway be?
Plan 4–6 inches of compacted crusher run for a residential driveway surface over decent subgrade, installed in 2–3 inch lifts. On soft ground, add a heavier sub-base of larger stone like #3 or #4 first.
How many tons is a yard of crusher run?
About 1.6 tons per cubic yard — roughly 3,200 lb — as a typical value. Because crusher run packs densely, it is one of the heaviest common gravels; confirm actual weight with your supplier.
Is crusher run the same as #411 or QP?
Largely, yes. Quarry process (QP), dense grade aggregate (DGA) and #411 all describe crushed stone mixed with screenings that compacts hard. Crusher run generally means the same blend, though exact gradations vary by quarry.