How much does a cubic yard of crushed limestone weigh?

One cubic yard of clean #57 crushed limestone (3/4-inch stone) weighs approximately 2,565 pounds (1.28 US tons). Dense grade aggregate (DGA / Crusher Run / 21A), which includes stone dust and fines that pack tightly without air voids, weighs approximately 2,835 pounds per cubic yard (1.42 US tons).

What is the difference between #57 limestone and crusher run (dense grade aggregate)?

Number 57 limestone is washed clean aggregate with stone sizes from 1/2" to 1" and zero fines, creating excellent drainage voids for French drains, retaining wall backfill, and concrete mix. Crusher run (road base) blends 3/4" stone down to fine limestone dust; when compacted, the dust cements the stone into an impervious, solid driving foundation.

How much compaction factor should you add for a limestone driveway base?

For dense grade aggregate (Crusher Run / DGA), add 15% to 20% extra material to account for roller compaction volume loss as the fines compress into subgrade soil voids. For clean #57 washed stone with minimal compaction settling, a 10% safety margin is sufficient.

How deep should crushed limestone be for driveways and patios?

For a residential vehicular driveway, excavate and install a 4-inch to 6-inch compacted base of crusher run, topped with 2 inches of clean #57 or #411 limestone. For paver patios and walkways, a 4-inch compacted base of dense grade limestone topped with 1 inch of bedding sand is the industry standard.

How many tons of limestone fit into a standard dump truck?

A standard tandem-axle commercial dump truck typically carries 12 to 15 tons of crushed limestone (equivalent to roughly 9 to 11 cubic yards). A larger tri-axle dump truck carries 18 to 22 tons, while an end-dump semi-trailer delivers 24 to 26 tons per haul.

Crushed Stone #57, Base & Aglime Tonnage Solver

Limestone Calculator

Calculate exact limestone tonnage, cubic yards, compacted volume loss, and delivery truck requirements for driveway base, french drains, paver subgrades, and agricultural lime spreading.

Common Limestone Projects:

Dimensions & Limestone Type

Bed Geometry

Limestone Gradation & Material Type

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Layer Depth (inches)

Compaction Buffer

Quarry Material Price ($ per Ton)

Cross-Section Structural Profile 5.0" Compacted Base

Material Tonnage & Volume

Live Verified

Total Weight Needed

18.17 Tons

36,334 lbs (16.48 tonnes)

Compacted Volume

12.82 cu yds

346.0 cu ft

Hauling & Packaging Logistics:

Tandem Dump Trucks (14T capacity): 2 Truck Loads

Contractor Wheelbarrows (3 cu ft): 116 loads

Standard 50-lb Aglime Bags: 727 bags

Surface Area Coverage: 720.0 sq ft (66.9 sq m)

Compaction Allowance (+15%): +2.37 tons (+4,739 lbs)

Estimated Delivered Material Cost: $872.02

Mathematical Proof & Compaction Tonnage Derivation

Converting excavation surface dimensions into delivered limestone short tons requires geometric integration of neat trench volume, roller compaction densification, and gradation bulk density:

$$ V_{neat} = \frac{720.0 \text{ sq ft} \times (5.0 / 12)}{27} = 11.11 \text{ yd}^3 \times (1 + 0.15) = 12.78 \text{ yd}^3 $$ $$ W_{tons} = \frac{12.78 \text{ yd}^3 \times 2,835 \text{ lbs/yd}^3}{2,000 \text{ lbs/ton}} = 18.11 \text{ US Short Tons} $$

Real-World Problems Solved by This Limestone Calculator

Driveway Base Compaction Loss

Crusher run and DGA contain fine stone dust that compresses tightly into subgrade air voids under mechanical rolling. Ordering neat excavation volume without a 15% to 20% compaction factor leaves driveways 1 to 2 inches below finished grade.

French Drain Water Flow Failure

Installing dense grade aggregate around perforated drainage pipes clogs perforations with stone dust within months. This calculator guides users to washed clean #57 limestone, providing 40% void ratios for unrestricted hydrological drainage.

Patio Settling & Frost Heave

Flagstone and interlocking pavers shift and sink when placed on uncompacted base. Calculating exact 4" to 6" crusher run requirements creates a stable, interlocking platform that resists winter freeze-thaw cycles.

Quarry Ton vs Cubic Yard Ordering Errors

Quarry dispatchers price and load commercial haul trucks exclusively in short tons (2,000 lbs), not cubic yards. Our solver translates volumetric measurements directly into certified scale tickets and tandem dump truck deliveries.

How to Measure & Order Crushed Limestone

Measure Excavation Dimensions: Determine length and width of the excavated pad or trench in linear feet. For driveways with varied widths, calculate individual sections separately.

Select Depth by Traffic Load: Pedestrian walkways need 3"–4" of compacted base. Light car driveways need 4"–6", while heavy RV pads, commercial driveways, and equipment sheds require 8"–12" of aggregate.

Choose the Proper Limestone Gradation: Select Crusher Run / DGA for solid interlocking road bases. Choose Clean #57 stone for French drains and retaining wall backfill where water drainage is required.

Apply Compaction Allowance: Add 15% to 20% extra material for dense grade crusher run to account for roller compaction into subgrade soil.

Confirm Hauling Fleet: Standard tandem dump trucks haul 12–15 tons. Plan dump sites with overhead clearance free from power lines and tree branches.

Crushed Limestone Aggregate Density & Size Chart

Gradation / Name	Nominal Stone Size	Bulk Density (lbs/yd³)	Tons per cu yd	Primary Engineering Use
Crusher Run / DGA / 21A	3/4" down to dust	2,835 lbs/yd³	1.42 tons	Compacted driveway base, paver subgrade
#57 Clean Limestone	1/2" to 1" washed	2,565 lbs/yd³	1.28 tons	French drains, retaining wall backfill, drainage
#4 Limestone Ballast	1.5" to 2.5" clean	2,500 lbs/yd³	1.25 tons	Muddy driveways, heavy equipment sub-base
Stone Dust / Screenings / Aglime	< 1/8" pulverized	2,700 lbs/yd³	1.35 tons	Agricultural soil treatment, flagstone setting
Limestone Riprap / Surge	4" to 8" heavy rock	2,430 lbs/yd³	1.22 tons	Culvert outlets, shoreline erosion, ditch lining

How to Use the Limestone Calculator for Driveway & Base Takeoffs

1
Measure Area

Enter driveway length and width in feet or meters, or input circular pad diameter.

2
Select Grade

Choose #57 Clean Stone, Dense Grade Road Base (CR-6 / DGA), #4 Ballast, or Aglime.

3
Set Depth

Input target compacted layer thickness (minimum 4" to 6" for vehicle driveways).

4
Add Compaction

Apply a 10% to 20% compaction safety buffer for mechanical roller settling.

5
Review Takeoff

Review total short tons, cubic yards, tandem dump truck loads, and material cost.

Key Features & Aggregate Capabilities

ASTM Aggregate Gradations

Calibrated densities for clean washed #57, #4 ballast, dense graded road base (CR-6/DGA), and aglime screenings.

Vibratory Compaction Engine

Calculates volume shrinkage from loose quarry haul state to roller compacted in-place density.

Hauling & Trucking Solver

Translates required limestone weight into standard tandem dump truck (15 ton) and tri-axle (20 ton) loads.

Live Cross-Section Visualizer

Interactive SVG schematic illustrates aggregate gradation layers, subgrade bedding, and compacted depths dynamically.

Frequently Asked Questions

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