How much does crushed limestone weigh?

It depends heavily on whether it's loose or compacted: loose crushed limestone runs around 1,400 kg/m³, while the same material compacted (as under a driveway) is closer to 2,400 kg/m³. Solid limestone rock is denser still, around 2,700 kg/m³. This calculator applies the right figure for the type you select.

Is crushed limestone good for a driveway sub-base?

Yes — compacted crushed limestone locks together into a stable, well-draining base, which is why it's a standard driveway and path sub-base material. Use a compacted depth of 15-20 cm for vehicle loads, and select the compacted density preset for an accurate weight and cost estimate.

Is limestone a common driveway material in Australia?

Yes — crushed limestone is a widely available, cost-effective sub-base and path material in many Australian states, particularly where local quarries supply it more cheaply than granite or basalt aggregate.

Limestone Calculator | Crushed Limestone Volume, Weight & Cost

How Much Crushed Limestone Do You Need?

Crushed limestone is one of the most common aggregates for driveway sub-bases, garden paths, foundation backfill and drainage layers, since it compacts into a stable, well-draining base once rolled. This calculator turns the length, width and depth of your area into the volume, weight and cost of crushed limestone you need to order — whether you're working with loose fill, a compacted sub-base, decorative chip or solid stone.

How to Use the Limestone Calculator

Enter the length and width of the area you're covering.
Enter the depth of the limestone layer — typically 10 cm (4 in) for a path base, more for a driveway sub-base.
Pick a limestone type: loose crushed, compacted crushed, chip/gravel, or solid stone — each has a different bulk density.
Adjust the waste allowance if needed (10% by default), then read off the volume, weight and estimated cost.

The Limestone Calculation

Volume = Length x Width x Depth, plus a waste allowance for compaction and off-cuts: Volume needed = Volume x (1 + waste%). Weight = Volume needed x the limestone type's bulk density, since limestone is bought and priced by weight, not volume.

Worked example: a 6 m x 3 m path at 10 cm (0.1 m) deep, using compacted crushed limestone (2,410 kg/m³) with a 10% waste allowance. Volume = 6 x 3 x 0.1 = 1.8 m³. With waste: 1.8 x 1.1 = 1.98 m³. Weight = 1.98 x 2,410 = 4,772 kg, or about 5.26 US tons.

Pro Tips

Using the example above (a 6 m x 3 m path, 10 cm deep, compacted crushed limestone, about 5.26 US tons), at a typical Australian price of around AUD 65 per tonne that's roughly AUD 342 in material, before delivery.

Loose crushed limestone weighs far less per cubic metre than the same material compacted — pick the preset that matches what you're actually ordering, not just "limestone" generically.
Depth means the finished, compacted depth. A driveway sub-base usually needs 15-20 cm compacted, not the loose depth before rolling.