Crushed Concrete Calculator
Crushed concrete calculator: enter area and depth for tons, cubic yards, coverage per ton, truck loads and cost. Imperial or metric, editable density.
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How the Crushed Concrete Calculator Formula Works
Crushed concrete is sold by weight, but a job is measured by area and depth, so the calculator moves from one to the other. First find the area of the space. Multiply it by the depth in feet, which is the depth in inches divided by 12, to get cubic feet, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
To get weight, multiply the cubic yards by the density in tons per cubic yard. The default is 1.8 tons per cubic yard, 3,600 pounds, which the City of Tomball, Texas specification for recycled crushed concrete base uses as the equivalent of a ton when the material is furnished and compacted in place. Change it to the figure your supplier gives, since real material varies.
An allowance for compaction and waste raises the order. The price you enter per ton or per cubic yard gives a cost, and the load size you enter gives the number of truck loads, rounded up. Coverage per ton is the area one ton covers at your depth. In metric, depth is in centimetres, density in kilograms per cubic metre, and weight comes out in tonnes.
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) / 12 / 27; tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard; order = tons × (1 + allowance / 100)- areasq ft or m2Length times width, a circle or a known area.
- depthin or cmFinished depth of the layer.
- densitytons/yd3 or kg/m3Weight per unit volume of the crushed concrete.
- allowance%10Extra for compaction and waste.
- load sizetons or tonnesWhat one truck carries, to count loads.
- + 1 more input below
- area
- sq ft or m2
- Length times width, a circle or a known area.
- depth
- in or cm
- Finished depth of the layer.
- density
- tons/yd3 or kg/m3
- Weight per unit volume of the crushed concrete.
- allowance
- %
- Extra for compaction and waste.
- load size
- tons or tonnes
- What one truck carries, to count loads.
- price
- $ per ton, yd3, tonne or m3
- Optional, for a material cost.
Using the Crushed Concrete Calculator
Enter units
Choose from Feet, inches and tons, Metres, centimetres and tonnes.
Enter area is a
Choose from Rectangle (length x width), Circle (diameter), Known area.
Enter length (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter width (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter diameter (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter area (square feet or square metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter depth (inches or centimetres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter density (tons per cubic yard, compacted)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter density (kg per cubic metre, compacted)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter extra for compaction and waste (%)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter truck load size (tons or tonnes, 0 to skip)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate. This one is optional.
Enter price is per
Choose from Ton or tonne, Cubic yard or cubic metre.
Enter price ($, placeholder, optional)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate. This one is optional.
Read the result
Press Calculate to update the result. Until you do, the last result is dimmed and marked as out of date, so you always know which numbers belong to the values in the boxes.
A Real Worked Example
A base area is 30 feet by 20 feet, 4 inches deep, so the area is 600 square feet. The volume is 600 × 4 / 12 / 27 = 7.41 cubic yards.
At 1.8 tons per cubic yard that weighs 13.33 tons. With 10 percent extra the order is 14.67 tons, 8.15 cubic yards, one 20 ton load. At a placeholder $25 a ton the material costs $366.67.
1,000 sq ft of base, 2 inches deep
Choose the known area option with 1,000 square feet at 2 inches and no extra. The volume is 6.17 cubic yards, and at 1.8 tons per yard the weight is 11.11 tons.
One ton covers 90 square feet at this depth. This is a thin layer, so check it suits the use.
A round area 12 ft across, 6 inches deep
Choose the circle option with a diameter of 12 feet. The area is 113.1 square feet and, at 6 inches deep, the volume is 2.09 cubic yards.
The weight is 3.77 tons, and with 5 percent extra the order is 3.96 tons, 2.20 cubic yards.
A 12 ft x 100 ft drive, 6 inches, priced per yard
A drive 12 feet wide and 100 feet long, 6 inches deep, has 1,200 square feet. The volume is 22.22 cubic yards and the weight is 40.0 tons.
That is 2 loads of 20 tons. Priced per cubic yard at a placeholder $40, with no extra, the material costs $888.89.
A 20 x 15 ft pad, 3 inches deep
A pad of 20 by 15 feet is 300 square feet. At 3 inches deep it holds 2.78 cubic yards, which weighs 5.00 tons.
With 10 percent extra the order is 5.50 tons. One ton covers 60 square feet at 3 inches deep.
Metric: 10 m x 3 m at 10 cm
Switch to metric with an area 10 metres by 3 metres, 10 cm deep, 2,136 kg per cubic metre and 10 percent extra. The volume is 3.0 cubic metres and the weight is 6.41 tonnes.
The order is 7.05 tonnes, 1 load of 15 tonnes. At a placeholder 30 a tonne, the material costs $211.46.
What Else to Know
How the Crushed Concrete Calculator Works
Crushed concrete, also called recycled concrete aggregate or RCA, is old concrete broken up and screened for reuse, mostly as base under driveways, slabs and paving, and as fill. It is sold by the ton, but you plan the job by area and depth, so the calculator converts between them.
It finds the volume of the area at the depth you choose, converts it to cubic yards, multiplies by the density to get tons, and adds an allowance for compaction. It also shows cubic yards, how far one ton goes, truck loads, and a cost if you enter a price.
A 30 × 20 ft area at 4 inches is 7.41 cubic yards, which is 13.33 tons at the default density. The calculator reuses the same area and depth engine as the other bulk material calculators, so crushed concrete works the same way as gravel or sand, with a density that fits recycled concrete.
Density: Tons per Cubic Yard
The density is the most important number, and it varies. The default is 1.8 tons per cubic yard, 3,600 pounds. It comes from the City of Tomball, Texas standard specification for recycled crushed concrete base course, which pays for the material per 2,000 pound ton or the equivalent of 3,600 pounds per cubic yard, furnished and compacted in place.
The Federal Highway Administration notes that reclaimed concrete material has a specific gravity of about 2.0 for fines up to 2.5 for coarse particles, slightly lower than virgin aggregate, and that its compacted unit weight is lower, which gives a higher yield. So treat 1.8 as a starting point and replace it with your supplier's figure.
The density table shows the default in pounds, kilograms and cubic feet per ton.
How Far One Ton Goes and Tons to Yards
At 1.8 tons per cubic yard, one ton is 0.556 cubic yards, 15 cubic feet. It covers 90 square feet at 2 inches, 45 at 4 inches and 30 at 6 inches. The coverage table lists more depths.
To convert tons to cubic yards, divide by the density. Twenty tons is 11.11 cubic yards. At other densities the answer changes, which is why the tons to yards table shows four densities. To go from yards to tons, multiply by the density.
A 20 ton load spreads over 900 square feet at 4 inches deep, which is how far 20 tons of crush and run or crushed concrete goes at this density.
Estimating a Driveway, Path or Pad
Measure the length and width of the area to be covered and choose the depth your design calls for. A driveway 12 feet wide and 100 feet long at 4 inches deep holds 14.81 cubic yards, 26.7 tons. For a curved or odd area, split it into rectangles and circles and add their areas, then use the known area option.
The driveway table lists common sizes with 10 percent extra. For a circular pad, choose circle and enter the diameter.
The depth comes from your project, not from this page. A designer, engineer or local rules set how deep a base should be and what grading of material to use, and this calculator turns that depth into a quantity. Do not use the estimate as a design.
Compaction, Extra and Ordering
Crushed concrete is spread and then rolled or tamped, so the loose depth you put down is more than the finished depth. The default density is for material compacted in place, and the extra percentage covers the difference and any waste. The default is 10 percent, a placeholder rather than a rule. Your supplier or engineer can advise on a figure.
Suppliers sell by the ton because aggregate is weighed at the scale, while volume depends on moisture and how loose the material is. Ask what density they use and how they measure a load, and replace the default if it is different.
Enter the size of the truck in the load size box to see how many loads the order needs. Remember that trucks carry different weights, and delivery fees may apply.
Crushed Concrete as a Base
The FHWA user guideline for reclaimed concrete material in granular base says the processed, fully crushed aggregate locks up well, giving good load transfer when placed on weaker subgrade, and that its lower compacted unit weight gives a higher yield, which contractors like because it means more volume for the same weight. The same guideline lists standard laboratory and field tests for compacted density, which are used for conventional aggregate too.
That makes crushed concrete a common choice for a base, but the right gradation, depth and compaction depend on the project. Follow the design, the local rules and your supplier's advice.
As a sibling of the stone and gravel calculators, this tool answers one question, how much material to order, and leaves the design to you.
Metric and Cost
For metric, choose metric, enter lengths in metres, depth in centimetres and density in kilograms per cubic metre. The default is 2,136 kg per cubic metre, which is 1.8 tons per cubic yard converted. A 10 × 3 m area at 10 cm is 3.0 cubic metres and 6.41 tonnes. Weight is shown in tonnes, which are 1,000 kilograms, not short tons.
Price can be per ton or tonne, or per cubic yard or cubic metre. The default of $25 is a placeholder, so replace it with a delivered quote. Delivery can cost as much as the material, and the cost box covers only the material.
If you buy by the load, compare the load price with the calculated tons.
Limits of the Estimate and Related Calculators
The estimate assumes a flat area, a uniform depth and one density. Real material varies in density, moisture and grading, and the finished depth depends on how well it is compacted. It does not design a base or choose a grade of material. Treat the result as an estimate, confirm it with your supplier and follow local rules and your design.
For other bulk materials, use the gravel calculator, the stone calculator and the river rock calculator. They use the same area and depth idea with a density for each material.
Reference Tables
| Depth | Sq ft per ton | Sq ft per cubic yard | Tons per 100 sq ft | Cubic yards per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 180.0 | 324.0 | 0.56 | 0.309 |
| 2 in | 90.0 | 162.0 | 1.11 | 0.617 |
| 3 in | 60.0 | 108.0 | 1.67 | 0.926 |
| 4 in | 45.0 | 81.0 | 2.22 | 1.235 |
| 6 in | 30.0 | 54.0 | 3.33 | 1.852 |
| 8 in | 22.5 | 40.5 | 4.44 | 2.469 |
| 12 in | 15.0 | 27.0 | 6.67 | 3.704 |
| Tons | 1.4 per yard | 1.6 per yard | 1.8 per yard | 2.0 per yard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.71 | 0.62 | 0.56 | 0.50 |
| 5 | 3.57 | 3.12 | 2.78 | 2.50 |
| 10 | 7.14 | 6.25 | 5.56 | 5.00 |
| 20 | 14.29 | 12.50 | 11.11 | 10.00 |
| 25 | 17.86 | 15.62 | 13.89 | 12.50 |
| 40 | 28.57 | 25.00 | 22.22 | 20.00 |
| Area (sq ft) | 2 inches | 4 inches | 6 inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| 250 | 2.8 | 5.6 | 8.3 |
| 500 | 5.6 | 11.1 | 16.7 |
| 1,000 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 33.3 |
| 2,000 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 66.7 |
| 5,000 | 55.6 | 111.1 | 166.7 |
| Size (ft) | Area (sq ft) | Cubic yards to order | Tons to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 50 | 150 | 2.04 | 3.7 |
| 10 × 50 | 500 | 6.79 | 12.2 |
| 12 × 50 | 600 | 8.15 | 14.7 |
| 12 × 100 | 1200 | 16.30 | 29.3 |
| 16 × 100 | 1600 | 21.73 | 39.1 |
| 20 × 200 | 4000 | 54.32 | 97.8 |
| Tons ordered | 10 ton loads | 15 ton loads | 20 ton loads | 25 ton loads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 14.7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 40 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 60 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 100 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Unit | Value | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 3,600 | City of Tomball specification: 3,600 pounds per cubic yard, compacted in place |
| Tons per cubic yard | 1.80 | 3,600 / 2,000 |
| Pounds per cubic foot | 133.3 | 3,600 / 27 |
| Kilograms per cubic metre | 2,136 | 3,600 lb x 0.45359237 / 0.764555 cubic metres |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.556 | 1 / 1.8 |
| Cubic feet per ton | 15.0 | 27 / 1.8 |
| Depth (cm) | Tonnes per sq m | Sq m per tonne | Tonnes per 100 sq m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.107 | 9.4 | 10.7 |
| 7.5 | 0.160 | 6.2 | 16.0 |
| 10 | 0.214 | 4.7 | 21.4 |
| 15 | 0.320 | 3.1 | 32.0 |
| 20 | 0.427 | 2.3 | 42.7 |
| 30 | 0.641 | 1.6 | 64.1 |
| Tons | $15 per ton | $25 per ton | $35 per ton | $45 per ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $75 | $125 | $175 | $225 |
| 10 | $150 | $250 | $350 | $450 |
| 20 | $300 | $500 | $700 | $900 |
| 40 | $600 | $1,000 | $1,400 | $1,800 |
| 100 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,500 | $4,500 |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Crushed concrete, RCA | Old concrete processed into aggregate; also called recycled concrete aggregate or reclaimed concrete material |
| Compacted in place | Measured after the material has been rolled or tamped in its final position |
| Base course | A layer of granular material under pavement, a slab or a driveway |
| Crush and run | A supplier term for a mix of crushed material and fines; the mix and weight vary, so ask |
| Short ton | 2,000 pounds, the ton used in US material orders |
| Tonne | 1,000 kilograms |
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming 1 ton is 1 cubic yard | Order is far too small | Convert with the density: about 0.56 yard per ton |
| Ordering the compacted depth only | Short after rolling | Add 10 percent or more |
| Using gravel's weight for crushed concrete | Weight and cost are off | Use your supplier's tons per yard |
| Mixing up short tons and tonnes | Off by about 10 percent | A short ton is 907 kg |
| Ignoring truck capacity | Extra trips or fees | Compare tons with load size |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Crushed Concrete Calculator
How much will 1 ton of crushed concrete cover?
At 1.8 tons per cubic yard, one ton is 15 cubic feet. It covers 90 square feet at 2 inches deep, 60 at 3 inches, 45 at 4 inches and 30 at 6 inches. A lighter or heavier material covers more or less, so use your supplier's density.
How many yards is 20 tons of crushed concrete?
At 1.8 tons per cubic yard, 20 tons is 11.11 cubic yards, which is 300 cubic feet. At 1.6 tons per yard it is 12.50 yards and at 2.0 it is 10.00. The tons to yards table shows other densities. Check the density with your supplier.
How much 3/4 crushed rock do I need?
Work out the area, multiply by the depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the tons per yard your supplier quotes. For 600 sq ft at 4 inches that is 7.41 cubic yards. At 1.8 tons per yard it is 13.3 tons. Crushed stone has its own density, so enter it.
How far will 20 ton of crush and run cover?
At 1.8 tons per cubic yard, 20 tons is 360 cubic feet, so it covers 1,800 square feet at 2 inches, 900 at 4 inches and 600 at 6 inches. Crush and run varies by supplier, so change the density to match what you are quoted.
How many tons of crushed concrete do I need?
Multiply area by depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by the density in tons per cubic yard. Add an allowance for compaction. A 30 × 20 ft area 4 inches deep is 7.41 cubic yards, 13.33 tons, and 14.67 tons with 10 percent extra.
How do I calculate crushed concrete for a driveway?
Multiply the driveway length by its width for the area, then use the depth you plan for the base. A drive 12 ft wide and 100 ft long at 4 inches is 14.81 cubic yards, or 26.7 tons, and 29.3 tons with 10 percent extra. Follow your design for the depth.
How much does a cubic yard of crushed concrete weigh?
The City of Tomball, Texas specification for recycled crushed concrete base pays on 2,000 pound tons or the equivalent of 3,600 pounds per cubic yard, furnished and compacted in place. That is 1.8 tons per cubic yard, the calculator default. Real weights vary with gradation and moisture, so ask your supplier.
What is recycled concrete aggregate?
It is old concrete that has been crushed and screened for reuse. The US Federal Highway Administration calls it reclaimed concrete material and describes it as mineral aggregate bonded by hardened cement paste. It is used in granular base and fill. Its specific gravity ranges from about 2.0 for the fines to 2.5 for the coarse particles.
Is crushed concrete lighter than natural gravel?
It can be. The FHWA guidelines note that the compacted unit weight of reclaimed concrete aggregates is lower than that of conventional mineral aggregates, which gives a higher yield, meaning more volume for the same weight. The size of the difference depends on the material, so use the density from your supplier.
How much extra crushed concrete should I order?
Order extra to allow for compaction and waste. The calculator starts at 10 percent. Crushed concrete is rolled or tamped into place, so the loose material you spread is deeper than the finished layer. Your supplier or engineer can advise what allowance suits the material and the job.
How many truck loads of crushed concrete do I need?
Divide the tons you order by the tons your truck carries, and round up. 14.67 tons in 20 ton loads is 1 load. A 40 ton order is 2 loads and a 100 ton order is 5. Enter your truck size in the load size box. Ask the supplier what they deliver, as truck capacity varies.
How do I convert tons of crushed concrete to cubic yards?
Divide the tons by the density in tons per cubic yard. At 1.8, 1 ton is 0.556 cubic yards, 10 tons is 5.56 and 25 tons is 13.89. To go the other way, multiply yards by 1.8. If your supplier quotes a different density, use that number.
How many cubic yards in a ton of crushed concrete?
At the default 1.8 tons per cubic yard, a ton is 0.556 cubic yards, or 15 cubic feet. At 1.6 tons per cubic yard it is 0.625 cubic yards. The more the material weighs per yard, the fewer yards you get in a ton.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it covers 27 × 12 / depth in inches square feet: 162 at 2 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches. That is 45 square feet per ton at 4 inches, using 1.8 tons per yard.
Can crushed concrete be used as a base?
Yes. The FHWA user guideline says processed reclaimed concrete aggregates lock up well in granular base, giving good load transfer when placed on weaker subgrade. Your design sets the depth and the gradation, and local rules may apply. This calculator turns your chosen depth into tons, and does not design the base.
What default density does the calculator use?
It uses 1.8 tons per cubic yard, which is 3,600 pounds per cubic yard compacted in place, from the City of Tomball, Texas specification for recycled crushed concrete base. It is a starting point. In metric the default is 2,136 kilograms per cubic metre, the same density converted. Change either one to match your supplier.
How do I use the calculator in metric?
Choose metric, enter lengths in metres, depth in centimetres and density in kilograms per cubic metre. A 10 × 3 m area 10 cm deep is 3.0 cubic metres, which weighs 6.41 tonnes at 2,136 kg per cubic metre, and 7.05 tonnes with 10 percent extra.
How do I calculate a circular area?
Choose the circle option and enter the diameter. A circle 12 ft across is 113.1 square feet. At 6 inches deep that is 2.09 cubic yards and 3.77 tons at 1.8 tons per yard, or 3.96 tons with 5 percent extra.
How much does crushed concrete cost?
Prices vary with region, source and delivery, so enter your own price per ton or per cubic yard. At a placeholder $25 a ton, the 30 × 20 ft area at 4 inches costs $366.67 for 14.67 tons. Ask local suppliers for a delivered price, since distance can matter more than the product.
Why do suppliers sell crushed concrete by the ton?
Aggregate is weighed at the scale, which is simple and fair to both sides, while volume depends on moisture and how loose the material is. That is why this calculator works in tons first and gives cubic yards as well. The Tomball specification pays by the ton and gives a cubic yard equivalent for measurement.
Is crush and run the same as crushed concrete?
Not necessarily. Crush and run is a supplier term, usually for crushed stone with fines, and the mix differs from place to place. Crushed concrete is processed old concrete. Both can be used as base. Weights differ, so ask your supplier for the tons per cubic yard of the product you buy and enter it.
Does the calculator allow for compaction?
Through the extra percentage. The default density is for material compacted in place, so the volume you enter is the finished layer. Loose material takes more room per ton before it is rolled, so add extra for the amount that is lost to compaction and waste, and ask your supplier or engineer how much suits your job.
References
- [1] City of Tomball, Texas. “Standard Specification Section 02713: Recycled Crushed Concrete Base Course (measurement and payment).” City of Tomball. Accessed 2026-10-07.
- [2] U.S. Federal Highway Administration. “Reclaimed Concrete Material, User Guideline: Granular Base (FHWA-RD-97-148).” FHWA. Accessed 2026-10-07.
- [3] U.S. Federal Highway Administration. “Reclaimed Concrete Material, User Guideline: Embankment or Fill (FHWA-RD-97-148).” FHWA. Accessed 2026-10-07.
- [4] Wikipedia contributors. “Cubic yard.” Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-07.
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