Limestone Calculator
Crushed limestone is sold by the ton in numbered sizes. Enter the area, the depth and the grade you are buying for the cubic yards and tons to order at the quarry's loose weight, with an allowance for settling — or a larger one for dense-grade base with fines that compacts hard.
Worked example: 50 × 10 ft path, 3 in deep, #57
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 500 × 3 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 | 4.63 yd³ |
| Add 10% | 4.63 × 1.10 | 5.09 yd³ |
| Convert to tons | 5.09 × 2,410 ÷ 2,000 | 6.1 tons |
Limestone grades
| Grade | Size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1/4–1/2 in | Paths, paver bedding, top dressing |
| #57 | 1/2–1 in | Driveway top coat, drainage, under concrete |
| #5 | 1 in | Driveways, drainage |
| #4 | 1 1/2–2 1/2 in | Driveway base layer |
| #3 | 2–3 in | Base on soft ground, construction entrances |
| #2 | 2–4 in | Heavy-traffic base, culverts, erosion control |
| Dense-grade (2A, #304, 21A) | about 1–2 in to dust | Compacted base under driveways and pads |
Sizes are The Gravel Shop's product ranges; the numbers follow the ASTM D448 size system, so a #57 from one quarry is close to a #57 from another. Dense-grade base goes by a state name — PennDOT 2A, Ohio #304, Virginia 21A — and packs down hard, which is why it gets a bigger allowance. Size a compacted base with the crusher run calculator.
Weight
The Gravel Shop lists its crushed limestone at 2,410 lb per cubic yard, so a ton is about 0.83 yd³ and covers roughly 134 sq ft at 2 in, 90 sq ft at 3 in and 67 sq ft at 4 in. For #57 in other stone types see the #57 stone calculator, and compare trucks with the delivery loads calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much limestone do I need?
- Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by about 1.2 tons per yard. A 50 × 10 ft path 3 in deep is 4.63 yd³; with 10% extra that is 5.09 yd³, about 6.1 tons.
- How much does a yard of crushed limestone weigh?
- The Gravel Shop lists its crushed limestone at 2,410 lb (about 1.2 tons) per cubic yard. Dense-grade base with fines weighs more once compacted, which is why it needs a bigger allowance.
- What size is #57 limestone?
- About 1/2 to 1 in, with no fines. It drains freely and is the usual choice for driveway top coats, drainage and under concrete. 1B is smaller (1/4–1/2 in); #3 and #2 are 2–3 in and 2–4 in stone for driveway bases and culverts.
- What is 2A or #304 limestone?
- State names for dense-grade crushed limestone base: stone from about 1–2 in down to dust, which compacts into a hard layer. PennDOT calls it 2A, Ohio #304 and Virginia 21A; the crusher run calculator sizes it with a compaction allowance.
- How much area does a ton of limestone cover?
- At 2,410 lb per yard, a ton covers about 134 sq ft at 2 in deep, 90 sq ft at 3 in and 67 sq ft at 4 in.
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