How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?

About 2,700–2,800 lbs per cubic yard, depending on whether the source rock is limestone (lighter) or granite (heavier). The calculator uses 2,750 as the U.S. average.

How many tons of #57 do I need for a driveway?

For a 100 ft × 10 ft driveway at 2 inches of #57 top course, you need about 5 tons. At 4 inches with no base layer, about 11 tons. Use the calculator above for your exact dimensions.

Is #57 stone the same as 3/4 inch gravel?

Close but not identical. #57 is a graded mix from about ¼ to 1½ inches, centered on ¾ inch. "3/4 inch gravel" usually means a more tightly-graded ¾ inch product. Density is similar; the calculator works for both.

Can I use #57 for a paver base?

Not as the main base — pavers need a dense-grade base like CA6 or 21AA that compacts hard. #57 won't lock together. You can use #57 as a drainage layer below a CA6 base in poorly-drained sites.

How much does #57 stone cost?

Typically $35–$60 per ton delivered in the U.S., with regional variation. Pickup is cheaper. Use the cost panel in the calculator with your local price for an exact estimate.

How deep should #57 be for a French drain?

12 inches of #57 wrapped around a 4-inch perforated pipe is the standard residential French drain spec. The full trench depth depends on how deep your problem is, but the stone-fill depth around the pipe is typically 12+ inches.

Does #57 stone compact?

#57 is open-graded — it locks together when poured but doesn't compact like dense-grade base materials (CA6, ABC). The stones interlock under their own weight and tire pressure. That's why it makes a great driveway top course and drainage media but a poor sub-base on its own.

Will #57 stone hold a car or truck?

Yes, as a top course over a properly compacted dense-grade base (CA6, ABC, 21AA). 2 inches of #57 over 4 inches of compacted base supports passenger vehicles. Pickup trucks and RVs need 2–3 inches of #57 over 6 inches of base. #57 alone, without a base layer, will sink into soft soil under any vehicle weight.

#57 Stone Calculator — Cubic Yards & Tons

How this calculator works for #57 stone

#57 stone refers to the AASHTO size designation for crushed aggregate that's nominally ¾ inch — the actual sieve range is roughly ¼" to 1½", with most of the volume in the ½" to 1" band. It comes in limestone, granite, or basalt depending on your region; all behave similarly in calculations.

At 2,750 lbs per cubic yard average, #57 is on the heavier end of common landscaping aggregates. A 100-square-foot area at 4 inches deep needs about 1.23 cubic yards or 1.7 tons. For a full-size driveway calculation with a base + top course, use the driveway calculator instead — it handles two layers in one shot.

#57 vs #67 vs #8

Suppliers sometimes substitute #67 (slightly smaller, ¼"–¾") when #57 is out. The density is within 2% of #57, so your calculation stays valid. #8 is noticeably finer (3⁄8"–½") and is for paver bedding, not driveways. See the full gravel types and sizes guide.

Recommended depth & material

Use	Depth	Material	Notes
Driveway top course	2"	#57 limestone or granite	Over a compacted CA6/ABC base.
Driveway full depth	4–6"	#57	Without a base layer; only on firm sub-grade.
French drain fill	12"+	#57	Wraps the perforated pipe.
Paver base sub-base	4"	#57 (rare; CA6 is more common)	Use only if compaction isn't critical.
Shed pad	4"	#57	Drains well; doesn't pack hard like CA6.
Drainage around foundation	6"	#57	Over fabric; backfill with native soil.

Measuring for a #57 order

Same approach as any rectangular project: length × width × depth. The trick with #57 is that it doesn't compact like dense-grade base — what comes off the truck is roughly what stays in your driveway. So skip the compaction buffer and use a 5–8% spillage buffer instead.

Measure the area. Length and width in feet. For irregular shapes, break into rectangles and sum.
Pick a depth. 4 inches for a top course over base; 6 inches if #57 is your only layer.
Set the buffer. 5–8% for #57 (less compaction than dense-grade base).
Order in tons. Most U.S. quarries quote #57 by the ton. Read the calculator's tons output.

Worked example — 600 sq ft driveway top course

A 60 × 10 ft driveway needing 2 inches of #57 over its existing base: volume = 600 × (2/12) ÷ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards. At 2,750 lb/yd³, that's 5.1 tons. With an 8% buffer: 4.0 yd³ / 5.5 tons. At $48/ton delivered: $264.

#57 Stone Calculator