Crushed Limestone Calculator
Estimate how much crushed limestone your project needs. Enter the area and depth to get cubic yards, tons and an optional cost.
Picks a typical depth & material — tweak anything below.
For a 20 × 10 feet area at 2 in deep, order about 1.36 cubic yards (1.83 US tons) of crushed limestone.
All units & details ▾
- Coverage area
- 200 ft²
- Cubic feet
- 36.7 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 1.04 m³
- Metric tons
- 1.66 t
- Total weight
- 3,662 lb
- Density used
- 1,600 kg/m³
Estimates only. Densities vary by moisture, compaction and supplier — confirm quantities before ordering.
What is crushed limestone?
Crushed limestone is quarried limestone broken and screened into angular pieces, usually light grey to tan. Graded versions include fine 'crusher fines' that help it bind and pack down hard.
What is crushed limestone used for?
Common for driveways, road base, walkways and as a compactable base under pavers and slabs. The fines let it lock up into a firm surface when compacted and watered; larger clean sizes are used for drainage.
How much does crushed limestone weigh?
A cubic yard of crushed limestone weighs about 1.35 US tons — roughly 1600 kg/m³, or about 100 lb/ft³. Moisture and compaction shift this, so the calculator applies this density and lets you change it in the extra options if your supplier quotes a different figure.
Coverage by depth
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~240 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | ~120 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | ~80 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | ~60 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | ~40 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
Based on about 1600 kg/m³. Actual coverage varies with compaction and moisture.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing the depth. Too shallow and the material shifts and shows the ground beneath. Most surface layers want 2–4 inches; load-bearing bases are built up thicker.
- Forgetting to convert inches to feet. Depth is quoted in inches but volume math is in feet — 4 inches is 0.33 ft, not 4. The calculator handles this, but hand estimates often don't.
- Skipping the waste allowance. Ground is never perfectly flat and material settles once it's placed. Order 5–10% extra so a small shortfall doesn't trigger a second delivery.
- Using the wrong density. Each material weighs differently, so tonnage can be off by 20%+ if you use a generic figure. Pick the right material and adjust the density if your supplier differs.
- Buying bags for a big job. Bagged material costs far more per cubic yard than bulk. Past roughly one cubic yard, a bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Does crushed limestone pack down hard?+
Yes — graded crushed limestone with fines compacts into a hard, dense surface, which is why it's popular for driveways and paths. Clean, single-size limestone is used where you want drainage instead.
How much crushed limestone for a driveway?+
Enter your driveway area and a depth of 4–6 inches, built up in layers over a firm subgrade. The calculator returns the tons and cubic yards to order.