How much does limestone gravel weigh per yard?

About 2,650–2,750 lbs per cubic yard depending on the size grade. Finer grades and those with fines (CA6, screenings) are at the higher end; clean larger stone (#57, #4) at the lower end.

What's #57 limestone?

AASHTO size grade #57 in limestone — angular crushed stone, nominally ¾ inch (range ¼" to 1½"). The most common driveway / drainage stone in the central and eastern U.S.

Limestone or granite — which is better?

Granite is harder and more freeze-thaw resistant, but limestone is much cheaper where it's locally quarried. For most residential uses, limestone is the right call. For very high-traffic surfaces or cold climates, granite or basalt is worth the upcharge.

How many tons of limestone for a driveway?

A 100 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 17 tons of CA6 / 2A limestone for the base, plus 6 tons of #57 limestone for the top course.

Can I use limestone for a French drain?

Yes — #57 limestone is one of the standard French drain fill materials. Avoid CA6 / dense-grade limestone (the fines block water flow).

Does limestone gravel raise soil pH?

Yes, slowly. Limestone is alkaline (pH ~8) and as rain dissolves trace amounts over years, the runoff raises the pH of nearby soil. Around acid-loving plants (blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, conifers), use granite, river rock, or basalt instead. For drainage layers and bases away from plants, limestone is fine.

What does limestone gravel weigh?

About 2,650–2,750 pounds per cubic yard for crushed limestone. Slightly lighter than basalt or granite-based gravels. Dense-grade limestone (CA6 limestone) compacts harder than its weight suggests because the fines fill the voids between stones.

Will limestone dust get tracked into the house?

Yes, on driveways and paths near entryways. Limestone surfaces shed white dust in dry weather, especially the first few weeks after install. To minimize: order washed material, install a doormat at every entrance, and consider a 4-foot apron of clean #57 stone (no dust) at the start of the path. The dust cleans up easily but can stain light carpet if not addressed.

Limestone Gravel Calculator — Yards & Tons

Limestone sizes and uses

Limestone is sold by AASHTO size grade, the same numbering system used for other crushed stone. The grade tells you the size range of the rock; the density is essentially the same across all sizes (~2,650–2,750 lb/yd³).

2A modified / CA6 limestone — dense-grade, with fines, for driveway bases.
2B limestone — 1½" clean stone for deep bases or rough drainage.
#4 limestone — 1.5" – 2.5", deep base or erosion control.
#57 limestone — ¾", the most common driveway / drainage stone.
#8 limestone — ⅜"–½", paver bedding.
Screenings / 1 fines — dust + small chips, for setting joints in flagstone.

Limestone vs granite

Limestone is slightly less dense than granite (~2% lighter per yard) and more prone to weathering in freeze-thaw climates. For most homeowner uses the difference doesn't matter; for high-traffic driveways in cold regions, ask whether your supplier has granite or basalt as an alternative.

Recommended depth & material

Use	Depth	Material	Notes
Driveway base (compacted)	4"	CA6 / 2A modified limestone	Has fines; compacts hard.
Driveway top course	2"	#57 limestone	Drains; doesn't pack.
Paver patio base	4"	CA6 limestone	Topped with 1" sand.
Deep base / erosion fill	6"+	#4 or 2B limestone	For trucks or soft soil.
Paver bedding sand alternative	1"	#8 limestone screenings	Works under stone pavers.

Ordering limestone

Sold by the ton at every U.S. limestone quarry. Standard rectangular math: length × width × depth. Use a 10–15% buffer depending on whether the variant includes fines (compacts more = higher buffer) or is washed clean (lower buffer).

Pick the size grade. Match the AASHTO number to your use case.
Length × width × depth. Standard volume math; calculator does the unit conversion.
Set the buffer. 10% for clean #57 / #8; 15% for CA6 / 2A modified with fines.
Order in tons. Limestone is always quoted by the ton in the U.S.

Worked example — 600 sq ft path with limestone screenings

A 60 × 10 ft pathway needing 1 inch of #8 limestone screenings as bedding: volume = 600 × (1/12) ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³. At 2,700 lb/yd³, that's 2.5 tons. With a 10% buffer: 2.0 yd³ / 2.75 tons. At $42/ton delivered: $116.

Limestone Gravel Calculator