How much does drain stone cost?

Delivered in Florida, #57 stone starts from $60.97/ton on a full truck (about 21 tons). For a small load, 2 tons from $473.90 delivered (#57 stone). Delivery is included, with no separate fee; the minimum order is 1 ton, and smaller loads cost more per ton. Calculate above, then enter your ZIP for your exact quote.

What size stone is best for a French drain?

#57 (¾"–1") is the standard. #4 (1½"–2½") is better when flow rate matters most. Avoid anything with fines.

How deep should a French drain be?

18 inches minimum, 24 inches better in heavy-clay or heavy-rain conditions. Shallow drains overflow during real storms.

Do I need fabric for a French drain?

Yes — non-woven geotextile (4 oz/sq yd or heavier) wrapping the stone. Without fabric the drain clogs in 2–3 years.

How wide should the trench be?

12 inches is standard. Wider trenches handle more water but cost more stone.

Where does the water go?

A French drain needs a daylight outlet — a low point where the pipe ends in open air, a dry well, or a storm drain connection. A drain that ends in dirt is a buried bucket.

How many tons fit in a dump truck?

A full load is about 21 tons of stone or sand. Bigger orders go out in more than one load, and the calculator shows the truck count with your result. Delivery is in the price, so a full load is the cheapest per ton.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop. Dumped from the street or driveway. A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage. It comes in one pile and isn’t spread. Delivery in 2–3 business days, on a weekday you choose.

French drain gravel calculator · tons

French Drain Calculator

How much stone for your French drain? Measure each trench run and get the tons of drain rock.

1 · Material

2 · Two quick choices: trench depth, then size

2a · Pick a trench depth

2b · Then measure your trenches

Length × trench width in feet. Add as many trenches as you need; we add them up.

LengthftTrench widthft

Recommended order

5 tons

of #57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1")

≈ 3.7 yd³ · covers 50 sq ft at 18″ · 1 dump truck

50 sq ft × 18 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 2.78 yd³ × 1.35 t/yd³ = 3.8 tons. Plus 10% for compaction and spreading, rounded up to a whole ton.

3 · Get your delivered quote

One ton of #57 stone

≈ 0.74 yd³ (20 cu ft)
covers 13 sq ft at 18″
a yd³ weighs about 2,700 lb
a full truck is about 21 tons

Convert tons ↔ cubic yards →

About this material: #57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1") →

How much does a ton of drain stone cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × trench depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × the material’s density. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up. Tons use our catalog densities: #57 stone 1.35 t/yd³; #67 stone 1.35 t/yd³; #4 crushed stone 1.25 t/yd³.

Swipe the table sideways →

Material	Trench depth	Used for	Coverage	Per 100 sq ft
#57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1")	12″	Shallow runs in sandy soil.	20 sq ft per ton	5 tons
#57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1")	18″	Most yard drains. (typical)	13 sq ft per ton	7.5 tons
#57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1")	2 ft	Clay soil or heavy rain.	10 sq ft per ton	10 tons
#67 Crushed Stone (¾")	12″	Shallow runs in sandy soil.	20 sq ft per ton	5 tons
#67 Crushed Stone (¾")	18″	Most yard drains. (typical)	13 sq ft per ton	7.5 tons
#67 Crushed Stone (¾")	2 ft	Clay soil or heavy rain.	10 sq ft per ton	10 tons
#4 Crushed Stone (1½" – 2½")	12″	Shallow runs in sandy soil.	22 sq ft per ton	4.63 tons
#4 Crushed Stone (1½" – 2½")	18″	Most yard drains. (typical)	14 sq ft per ton	6.94 tons
#4 Crushed Stone (1½" – 2½")	2 ft	Clay soil or heavy rain.	11 sq ft per ton	9.26 tons

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much drain stone for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Trench depth	Area	Estimate
Backyard drain 50 ft × 12" × 18"	18″	50 sq ft	~3.5 tons #57
Long drain 100 ft × 12" × 24"	24″	100 sq ft	~9 tons #57
Foundation drain 80 ft × 18" × 24"	24″	120 sq ft	~11 tons #57
Driveway edge 60 ft × 12" × 12"	12″	60 sq ft	~3 tons #57
Hillside intercept 40 ft × 12" × 24"	24″	40 sq ft	~4 tons #57

Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.

Which drain stone: #57, #67 or #4?

Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per ton on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.

#57 Crushed Stone (¾" – 1") →The all-round ½–1″ stone for driveways, pads and drainage.From $60.97/ton on a full truck2 tons from $473.90 delivered

#67 Crushed Stone (¾") →A slightly smaller ¾″ stone for driveways and pads.From $60.97/ton on a full truck2 tons from $473.90 delivered

#4 crushed stone on a construction entrance

#4 Crushed Stone (1½" – 2½") →Large 1½–2½″ stone for construction entrances and heavy pads.From $71.15/ton on a full truck2 tons from $497.44 delivered

Drain stone mistakes to avoid

No fabric

Soil fines migrate into bare stone within 2–3 years and choke flow. Geotextile fabric (non-woven, 4 oz/sq yd or heavier) is mandatory.

Wrong stone size

Crusher run or stone with fines defeats the purpose. Use washed #57 or #4 — clean and angular for maximum void space.

Pipe holes facing up

Perforated pipe goes holes down. Water enters through the bottom and is carried away inside the pipe.

No slope

A flat French drain holds water instead of moving it. Slope at least 1% (1 inch drop per 8 feet) from inlet to outlet.

Trench too shallow

A 6-inch trench is decorative, not functional. 18 inches minimum, 24 inches better in clay or heavy-rain Florida soils.