Crushed Concrete Calculator
This crushed concrete calculator estimates the tons and cubic yards of crushed concrete or gravel base you need for a driveway, path, or sub-base. Enter the length, width, and depth and it converts the volume to weight using a typical aggregate density. It works just as well as a gravel calculator for any compactable base material.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the length, width, and depth of the base.
- Use 4 inches for paths and patios, 6–8 inches under driveways.
- Adjust the density if your supplier quotes a different tons-per-yard figure.
- Order by the ton, which is how crushed material is usually sold.
The formula
Find the volume in cubic yards, then convert to tons with the aggregate density (about 1.4 tons per cubic yard for crushed concrete):
Tons = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft ÷ 27) × 1.4
Worked example. A 30 ft × 10 ft path at 4 inches deep: 30 × 10 × 0.333 = 100 cubic feet, or 3.7 cubic yards. Multiply by 1.4 and you need about 5.2 tons of crushed concrete.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate crushed concrete?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet for the volume, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 to convert cubic yards to tons.
How many tons are in a yard of crushed concrete?
About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for compacted crushed concrete. Loose material is a little lighter and very wet material a little heavier.
How deep should a crushed concrete base be?
Use 4 inches for walkways and patios and 6–8 inches under driveways or parking areas. Compact it in layers for a stable sub-base.
Is crushed concrete the same as gravel?
They are used the same way as a compactable base, but crushed concrete is recycled and angular, so it locks together well and is often cheaper than quarried gravel.