Construction Aggregate Calculator
#57 Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much #57 gravel you need for driveways, drainage, and construction projects. Estimate tons, cubic yards, coverage, and cost instantly.
How Much #57 Gravel Do I Need?
Coverage estimates for #57 gravel at your selected depth:
What Is #57 Gravel?
#57 gravel (also called #57 stone, 57 stone, or 3/4 inch crushed stone) is the most commonly used construction aggregate in the United States. It's a clean, angular, crushed stone that measures approximately 3/4 inch in size — making it the workhorse of construction and landscaping projects.
Crushed Stone
#57 gravel is mechanically crushed from limestone, granite, or trap rock, producing angular pieces that lock together for superior stability and compaction.
Approximately 3/4 Inch
Stones pass through a 1.5-inch sieve but are retained on a #4 sieve, giving a consistent 3/4 inch size that's large enough for drainage yet small enough to work with.
Angular Aggregate
The angular, fractured surfaces interlock tightly when compacted, creating a stable, load-bearing surface that resists shifting and rutting under heavy loads.
Clean (No Fines)
#57 gravel is washed and screened to remove dust and fine particles, leaving about 40% void space for superior drainage — critical for French drains and under-slab applications.
Whether you're building a driveway, installing a French drain, creating a shed foundation, or preparing a concrete base, the #57 gravel calculator above helps you estimate exactly how much material you need. The #57 stone calculator uses standard construction formulas to convert your project dimensions into tons, cubic yards, and cost — no guesswork required.
How Much Area Does One Ton of #57 Gravel Cover?
Coverage depends on depth. Use this reference chart to estimate how many tons you'll need for your project:
| Depth | Coverage per Ton (sq ft) | Coverage per Cubic Yard (sq ft) | Typical Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 100 – 120 sq ft | 150 – 180 sq ft | Light landscaping, decorative paths |
| 3 inches | 65 – 80 sq ft | 100 – 120 sq ft | Garden beds, walkway surface |
| 4 inches | 50 – 60 sq ft | 75 – 90 sq ft | Shed foundation, patio base |
| 6 inches | 35 – 40 sq ft | 50 – 60 sq ft | Driveway base, parking pad |
| 8 inches | 25 – 30 sq ft | 38 – 45 sq ft | Heavy-duty driveway, drainage bed |
| 12 inches | 17 – 20 sq ft | 25 – 30 sq ft | French drain surround |
#57 Gravel Weight Conversion
Quick reference for converting between common units of #57 gravel:
| Amount | Weight (lbs) | Weight (tons) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 2,700 – 3,000 lbs | 1.35 – 1.50 tons | 1,225 – 1,360 kg |
| 1 ton | 2,000 lbs | 1.00 tons | 907 kg |
| 5 tons | 10,000 lbs | 5.00 tons | 4,536 kg |
| 10 tons | 20,000 lbs | 10.00 tons | 9,072 kg |
| 1 cubic foot | 100 – 111 lbs | 0.05 – 0.056 tons | 45 – 50 kg |
| 1 truckload (~15 cu yd) | 40,500 – 45,000 lbs | 20.25 – 22.50 tons | 18,370 – 20,410 kg |
Best Uses For #57 Gravel
#57 gravel is versatile — here are its four most common applications and why it excels in each:
Driveways
Recommended depth: 4-6 inches
- Excellent compaction under vehicle weight
- Angular stones lock together — no rutting
- Superior drainage prevents puddling
- Use as base layer under finer surface gravel
Typical 20'×20' driveway: ~11 tons ($330–550)
French Drains
Recommended depth: 6-12 inches
- ~40% void space maximizes water flow
- Clean stone won't clog drainage pipe
- 3/4" size ideal for surrounding perforated pipe
- Wrap in landscape fabric to prevent soil infiltration
Typical 50' French drain: ~5-8 tons ($150–400)
Shed Foundations
Recommended depth: 4-6 inches
- Creates a stable, level base
- Prevents wood floor from touching ground
- Excellent drainage under structure
- Compacts to a solid platform
Typical 10'×12' shed base: ~2.5 tons ($75–125)
Concrete Base
Recommended depth: 4-6 inches
- Strong aggregate layer under slabs
- Prevents concrete cracking from ground movement
- Provides uniform load distribution
- Standard sub-base for foundations and patios
Typical 20'×20' slab base: ~9 tons ($270–450)
#57 Gravel vs Other Gravel Types
How does #57 gravel compare to other common aggregates? Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right material:
| Material | Typical Size | Density (tons/cu yd) | Best Use | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #57 Gravel | 3/4 inch | 1.5 | Driveways, drainage, construction bases | Excellent |
| Pea Gravel | 1/4 inch | 1.3 | Decorative landscaping, garden paths | Good |
| Crusher Run | Mixed (dust to 3/4") | 1.6 | Compacted base layer, driveway surface | Poor |
| River Rock | 1 – 3 inches | 1.4 | Decoration, dry creek beds, borders | Good |
| #89 Stone | 3/8 inch | 1.5 | Driveway surface layer, concrete mix | Very Good |
| #4 Stone | 1.5 – 2 inches | 1.45 | Erosion control, heavy drainage | Excellent |
How To Calculate #57 Gravel Needed — Step by Step
Our calculator handles everything automatically, but here's the manual process so you understand the math:
Measure Your Project Area
For rectangular areas: measure length × width in feet. For circular areas: measure the diameter. For irregular shapes, break the area into smaller rectangles, calculate each, then add them together. A typical two-car driveway is about 20 ft × 20 ft = 400 sq ft.
Choose the Right Depth
Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12. Recommended depths: driveway = 4-6" (0.33-0.5 ft), French drain = 6-12" (0.5-1 ft), shed base = 4-6" (0.33-0.5 ft), landscaping = 2-4" (0.17-0.33 ft). Example: 6 inches ÷ 12 = 0.5 feet.
Calculate Volume in Cubic Yards
Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards. Example: 400 sq ft × 0.5 ft ÷ 27 = 7.41 cubic yards. This is the total volume of #57 gravel needed for your project.
Convert to Tons
Cubic Yards × 1.5 = Tons. Example: 7.41 cu yd × 1.5 = 11.1 tons of #57 gravel. Always add 10-15% extra (bring total to ~12-13 tons) to account for compaction, settling, and irregular grade. For large projects, round up to the nearest half-ton for delivery purposes.
Density: #57 gravel = 1.5 tons/cubic yard (standard) | 1.35-1.50 tons/cubic yard (actual range)
Quick Calculation Examples
| Project | Dimensions | Depth | Cubic Yards | Tons (#57 Stone) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Driveway | 20' × 20' | 6" | 7.4 | 11.1 |
| French Drain | 50' × 1' | 12" | 1.85 | 2.8 |
| Shed Base | 10' × 12' | 5" | 1.85 | 2.8 |
| Parking Pad | 12' × 25' | 6" | 5.56 | 8.3 |
| Concrete Base | 30' × 30' | 4" | 11.1 | 16.7 |
#57 Gravel Cost Guide
Understanding #57 gravel pricing helps you budget accurately. Here's what to expect:
| Quantity | Price per Ton | Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagged (50 lb bags) | $160 – $280 | $4 – $7 per bag | Retail pricing. Only cost-effective for projects under 0.5 ton |
| Small Load (1-5 tons) | $30 – $50 | $30 – $250 | Minimum delivery fees usually apply |
| Medium Load (5-15 tons) | $25 – $40 | $125 – $600 | Typical for a driveway or large landscaping project |
| Bulk Load (15+ tons) | $20 – $35 | $300 – $700+ | Best value. Common for commercial or large residential |
📋 Factors Affecting #57 Gravel Price
- Location: Prices vary significantly by region. Areas near quarries pay less; remote areas pay more for transportation.
- Delivery Distance: $50–$150 per load depending on mileage from the quarry or supplier.
- Quantity: Bulk discounts apply at 10+ tons. Full truckloads (20-22 tons) get the best per-ton rate.
- Supplier Type: Direct from quarry is cheapest. Landscape supply yards add markup. Big-box retail is most expensive.
- Source Rock: Limestone-based #57 is most common and affordable. Granite or trap rock #57 costs $5-10/ton more.
💰 Complete 20' × 20' Driveway Cost Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions About #57 Gravel
#57 gravel (also called #57 stone or 3/4 inch crushed stone) is a clean, angular construction aggregate made by mechanically crushing limestone, granite, or trap rock. The "#57" designation comes from ASTM and AASHTO standards — stones pass through a 1.5-inch sieve but are retained on a #4 sieve, giving a consistent size of approximately 3/4 inch. It contains no fine particles (dust or sand), which creates approximately 40% void space between stones — making it excellent for drainage applications. #57 gravel weighs about 1.5 tons per cubic yard and is the most widely used construction aggregate for driveways, French drains, shed foundations, and concrete sub-bases.
Use the formula: (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27 × 1.5 = Tons of #57 gravel. For a 20' × 20' driveway at 6 inches deep: 400 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 7.41 cubic yards × 1.5 = 11.1 tons. For a 10' × 12' shed base at 5 inches: 120 × 0.42 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards × 1.5 = 2.8 tons. Always add 10-15% extra for compaction, settling, and irregular grade. Use the free #57 gravel calculator above for your exact project dimensions.
One cubic yard of #57 gravel weighs approximately 2,700 to 3,000 pounds (1.35 to 1.5 tons). The exact weight varies by source rock: limestone #57 gravel weighs about 2,700 lbs/cu yd (1.35 tons), while granite-based #57 stone weighs closer to 3,000 lbs/cu yd (1.5 tons). Moisture content also affects weight — wet gravel can weigh 5-10% more. For most construction and landscaping calculations, use 1.5 tons per cubic yard as a safe, conservative estimate that accounts for moisture and stone variability.
For a #57 gravel driveway, the base layer should be 4-6 inches of compacted #57 stone. This base provides drainage and structural support. Top this with 2-3 inches of a smaller, tighter surface gravel like #89 stone or crusher run for a smoother driving surface. Total driveway depth should be 6-9 inches (base + surface). For light-use driveways, a single 6-inch layer of #57 gravel can work, but it will be rougher to drive on. Always compact each layer with a plate compactor or roller for best results.
Yes, #57 gravel is one of the best materials for drainage because it's clean (no fines) and has approximately 40% void space between stones, allowing water to flow freely. This makes it the standard choice for French drains, retaining wall backfill, dry wells, under-slab drainage layers, and septic drain fields. The 3/4 inch size is large enough to prevent clogging while small enough to be easily handled. For maximum drainage performance, always wrap #57 stone in non-woven geotextile fabric to prevent surrounding soil from infiltrating and filling the voids over time.
#57 gravel costs $20 to $50 per ton for bulk delivery, depending on location and quantity. Small loads (1-5 tons) cost $30-50/ton. Medium loads (5-15 tons) cost $25-40/ton. Bulk orders (15+ tons) can be as low as $20-35/ton. Bagged #57 gravel at home improvement stores costs $160-280 per ton (about $4-7 per 50 lb bag). Delivery fees add $50-150 depending on distance. A typical 20'×20' driveway requiring 11 tons costs about $385-660 for materials (bulk delivery) or $1,760-3,080 if buying bags — making bulk delivery dramatically more cost-effective.