Crushed Concrete Estimator
Short answer: a 10 × 12 ft area at 4 inches needs 1.48 cubic yards before compaction — 1.70 cubic yards to order with the 15% allowance, about 2.05 tons. Enter your area and depth below.
Calculate your crushed concrete
How the calculation works
Volume = length × width × depth ÷ 12 (cubic feet), then ÷ 27 for cubic yards. Order volume = geometric volume × (1 + compaction allowance). Weight = order volume × density, converted to tons (2,000 lb per ton).
Worked example: 10 × 12 ft at 4 in deep = 40 cu ft = 1.48 cubic yards. With the 15% compaction allowance: 1.70 cubic yards to order, 4,106 lb (2.05 tons) at 2,410 lb per cubic yard.
Crushed concrete is not the same material as the gravel on the gravel calculator: the volume maths is the same, but the density and the compaction basis differ, so do not use gravel weights for crushed concrete. Suppliers sell by the cubic yard or by the ton and have minimum loads; confirm both before ordering.
Density by gradation
| Material | Density |
|---|---|
| Crushed concrete road base, 1½-in minus (default) | 2,410 lb per cubic yard (1.21 tons) |
| Recycled rock, 1 × ¾ in and 1½ × ¾ in | 2,600 lb per cubic yard (1.30 tons) |
| Recycled rock, 3 × 1½ in | 2,800 lb per cubic yard (1.40 tons) |
| Class 6 / Type 2, ¾-in minus | 3,200 lb per cubic yard (1.60 tons) |
Published factors run about 1.2–1.6 tons per cubic yard by gradation. Confirm your supplier's figure before ordering.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your measurements in the calculator above, in the units shown.
- Check the inputs against what you measured — depth is the number most often entered wrong.
- Press Calculate, then use the order amount (with waste, where shown) when you buy or order.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of crushed concrete do I need?
It depends on area, depth and density: a 10 × 12 ft area at 4 inches needs 1.48 cubic yards before compaction — 1.70 cubic yards to order with the 15% allowance, about 2.05 tons at 2,410 lb per cubic yard.
How do you calculate crushed concrete in cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27. Then add the compaction allowance — 15% by default on this page — because loose crushed concrete compacts when it is rolled.
What does a cubic yard of crushed concrete weigh?
About 2,410 lb (1.21 tons) for the 1½-inch-minus road base used as the default on this page. Published figures run about 2,600 to 3,200 lb per cubic yard by gradation, so confirm your supplier's figure.
Is crushed concrete sold by the ton or by the cubic yard?
Either, depending on the supplier. This page shows both the cubic yards to order and the tons, and states the density used, so you can order in whichever unit your supplier quotes.