Choose the actual product
Three names that lead to different results
“Crushed granite” tells you the parent rock. It does not tell you the size distribution or whether the load contains fines. Ask the yard for the screened size and gradation.
Clean crushed granite
Screened angular pieces leave connected voids. Choose a specified clean grade for drainage layers or another design that needs infiltration. A loose unpaved driving surface may move under tires.
Estimate a clean drainage layer →Granite with fines
Smaller fragments fill the gaps between coarse pieces. A properly graded surface can bind and compact more firmly for a traditional unpaved drive. Ask for a road-surface or base product suited to your site.
Compare crushed-stone grades →Decomposed granite
DG is a finer path and patio material, sometimes sold as “crushed granite fines.” It has its own product weights and installation details. Confirm the name on the quote before using this coarse-stone estimate.
Use the DG calculator →Check the math
A 50 × 12 ft driveway example
Suppose the measured surface area is 600 sq ft and the planned finished granite layer is 3 in deep. This describes that layer only. It does not include a separate base or excavation volume.
- Finished volume: 600 × 3 ÷ 324 = 5.56 cu yd (150 cu ft).
- Weight example: 5.56 × 2,800 ÷ 2,000 = 7.78 US short tons.
- If 10% extra is justified: 5.56 × 1.10 = 6.11 cu yd, or about 8.56 tons at that same weight.
One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 in deep by geometry. At 2,800 lb/cu yd, one US short ton represents about 77 sq ft at that depth. Replace 2,800 with your supplier’s figure before converting a yard quote into tons.
How the assumptions were checked
LandCare Stone lists 3/4 in crushed granite at 2,800 lb per cubic yard; Landscape Centre lists clear-crush granite at about 2,600 lb per cubic yard. Those are supplier examples, not a universal density. ASTM C29/C29M describes a method for measuring bulk density and voids. LandCare also suggests about 100 sq ft per cubic yard at 3 in; the calculator's 108 sq ft is pure volume geometry. Its smaller listed coverage is a more conservative buying guide, so confirm the seller's recommendation for your job.
The FHWA gravel-roads guide explains why a road surface needs an appropriate blend of coarse stone and smaller particles, while the EPA Green Streets Handbook describes clean open-graded aggregate for drainage reservoirs. The appropriate section and layer depth depend on site and design.
Crushed granite questions
How much crushed granite do I need for a 50-foot driveway?
For a 50-by-12-foot area at a 3-inch finished depth, the measured layer is 150 cubic feet, or 5.56 cubic yards. At an example loose bulk weight of 2,800 pounds per cubic yard, that is about 7.78 US short tons before extra. If your site calls for 10% additional material, plan 6.11 cubic yards or about 8.56 tons. Confirm the grade, finished depth, and supplier conversion before ordering.
Is crushed granite the same as decomposed granite?
No single product is guaranteed by either name. This calculator is for coarse crushed granite such as 3/4-inch clean stone or a graded mix. Decomposed granite usually describes a finer, compactable path material. Some sellers call granite fines “crushed granite,” so ask for the size and whether fines are included.
Should I choose clean granite or granite with fines for a driveway?
Clean, open-graded stone leaves more connected void space for drainage. A graded mix with smaller particles and fines can make a tighter, more stable unpaved driving surface. The right layers depend on soil, water, traffic, and the local supplier specification; do not assume clean 3/4-inch stone alone will form a firm road surface.
How many tons are in one cubic yard of crushed granite?
A 3/4-inch crushed granite product listed at 2,800 pounds per cubic yard equals 1.40 US short tons per loose cubic yard. Another seller lists clear-crush granite at about 2,600 pounds per yard. Product gradation, moisture, and loading change the conversion, so enter your seller’s loose bulk weight.