Crushed Concrete Calculator

Calculate the exact tonnage and cubic yardage of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) needed for your driveway, parking pad, or sub-base. Includes critical compaction factors.

Project Length feet Enter a valid length

Project Width feet Enter a valid width

Finished Base Depth inches Typically 4" for light use, 6-8" for residential driveways. Enter a valid depth

Compaction Shrinkage %

RCA shrinks heavily when tamped. Industry standard is 15%. Enter valid percentage

Moisture & Material State

Wet or highly pulverized material is significantly heavier per yard.

Calculation Results

Total Crushed Concrete Required

— Tons

Final order weight, adjusted upward to account for compaction shrinkage.

How to calculate recycled concrete (RCA) quantities

Measure your project footprint

Measure the exact length and width of the area you intend to pave or cover. Break irregular shapes into multiple rectangles, calculate the square footage of each, and add them together.

Determine the target depth

Enter the finished depth you need after the material has been fully compacted. Light pathways only require 2 to 3 inches, but residential driveways require a minimum of 4 to 6 inches to withstand the weight of vehicles without rutting.

Factor in compaction shrinkage

Because crushed concrete contains fine dust and un-hydrated cement particles, it packs down incredibly tight. When you run a plate compactor over the loose stone, it will shrink in volume by roughly 15%. This tool automatically calculates the extra volume required to hit your finished target grade.

Adjust for moisture and density

Quarry aggregate is generally sold by weight, not volume. Standard crushed concrete averages 1.35 tons per yard. However, if the pile at the supply yard is soaked from recent rain, or if it is a "high-fines" blend, it will weigh significantly more (up to 1.45 tons/yard).

Crushed Concrete Coverage Chart (Includes 15% Compaction)

Coverage Area	Finished Depth	Order Volume (Yards)	Est. Weight (Standard)
2" Depth (Top Dressing / Walkways)
100 sq ft	2 inches	0.7 cu yds	1.0 Tons
500 sq ft	2 inches	3.5 cu yds	4.8 Tons
1,000 sq ft	2 inches	7.1 cu yds	9.6 Tons
4" Depth (Standard Patio / Shed Base)
100 sq ft	4 inches	1.4 cu yds	1.9 Tons
500 sq ft	4 inches	7.1 cu yds	9.6 Tons
1,000 sq ft	4 inches	14.2 cu yds	19.2 Tons
2,000 sq ft	4 inches	28.4 cu yds	38.3 Tons
6" Depth (Residential Driveway Base)
500 sq ft	6 inches	10.6 cu yds	14.4 Tons
1,000 sq ft	6 inches	21.3 cu yds	28.7 Tons
2,000 sq ft	6 inches	42.6 cu yds	57.5 Tons

Frequently asked questions

Why is crushed concrete called "poor man's concrete"?

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is made by crushing old demolished slabs and roads. The primary advantage of RCA over natural crushed stone is that it still contains residual, un-hydrated cement particles. When this material is laid down, wetted, and heavily compacted, those old cement particles re-hydrate and bind the fines together, creating an incredibly hard, semi-solid surface that is much more stable than standard gravel—at a fraction of the cost of pouring a new slab.

How much does a yard of crushed concrete weigh?

A cubic yard of crushed concrete typically weighs between 2,400 and 2,900 lbs (roughly 1.2 to 1.45 tons) depending heavily on the particle size and moisture content. Because old concrete is inherently porous and lighter than quarried natural granite, it generally weighs slightly less per yard than standard crushed stone. Most suppliers use 1.35 to 1.40 tons per yard as a working average.

Does moisture change how much I need to order?

Yes. If you are buying by the ton, moisture matters drastically. The crushed cement fines in RCA are highly porous and act like a sponge. Wet crushed concrete from a pile that has been rained on can weigh 5% to 10% more per yard than dry material. If you are buying a 20-ton load of wet material, you are effectively paying for 1 to 2 tons of trapped water, meaning your actual coverage area will be less than expected.

Why do I need to calculate for compaction shrinkage?

When crushed concrete is dumped out of a truck, it contains large air voids between the jagged stones. To create a structural base, you must run a heavy plate compactor over it, forcing the fine dust down into those voids. This physical action shrinks the depth of your base by 15% to 20%. If you only order exactly the mathematical volume of your trench, your finished base will sit significantly below your target grade.

About this calculator

This Crushed Concrete Calculator bridges volumetric geometry with the unique density variations of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), allowing contractors to order the exact tonnage required.

The mathematical engine utilizes the following formulas to generate your aggregate estimate:

Coverage Area (sq ft) = Length × Width

Base Volume (cu yds) = Coverage Area × (Finished Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27

Order Volume (cu yds) = Base Volume × (1 + (Compaction % ÷ 100))

Total Order Weight (Tons) = Order Volume × Material Density Factor (1.25 to 1.45)

A note on installation: The "poor man's concrete" binding effect only works if the RCA contains fines (dust). If you order "clean" crushed concrete (where the fines have been washed out for drainage purposes), it will not bind and lock together into a hard surface. Ensure you are ordering a "dense graded" or "minus" specification if you are building a driveway or structural base.