By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Crushed limestone is the standard compactable base in much of the US because the angular faces lock together. Because it compacts, order the loose volume for the finished depth plus a margin, and expect the delivered tonnage to run higher than the finished layer implies.
Crushed limestone volume, weight and cost for bases and driveways.
V = L × W × D W = V × ρ Cost = V × price
Depth is entered in inches. Bulk density is taken as 1,600 kg/m³ (loose crushed limestone); real material varies with moisture and compaction, so treat the total as an estimate and add 5–10% for settling.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| L, W | Length and width of the area being covered. |
| D | Spread depth of the material. |
| V | Volume in cubic yards (and cubic metres). |
| ρ | Bulk density of the material. |
| W | Total weight, shown in pounds and US tons. |
400 sq ft × 4 in = 133 cu ft, or 4.94 cu yd. At 1,600 kg/m³ that is about 7,900 kg, or 8.7 US tons of loose limestone.
Continue with the Gravel Calculator, Sand Calculator, Rock Calculator, or the River Rock Calculator — or browse more materials & quantities and all construction calculators.
Plan on 20–25% volume loss under a plate compactor, so a 4-inch loose layer finishes near 3 inches.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026