Stone Masonry Calculator. Stone masonry calculations vary by stone type and size. Formula: Tons equals Wall Area times Average Thickness times 12. Thickness affects dramatically. Example 100 sq ft wall, 8 inches thick: 100 times 8 times 12 equals 9,600 pounds equals 4.8 tons. Round to 5 tons plus 10 percent waste. Stone types: Fieldstone natural irregular, 150-200 per ton, rustic appearance. Cut stone (ashlar) uniform shapes, 300-600 per ton, formal appearance. Flagstone flat pieces, patios and walkways, 200-400 per ton. River rock rounded smooth, decorative, 100-250 per ton. Thin veneer 1-2 inches thick, cladding only, 10-25 per sq ft. Costs: Stone materials 5-35 per sq ft depending on type. Installation labor 20-50 per sq ft, skilled masonry required. Total 25-85 per sq ft installed. Example 100 sq ft stone wall: materials 1,500, labor 3,500, total 5,000 or 50 per sq ft. Mortar for stone: Same calculation as brick but use more due to irregular joints. Type N or type S recommended. 100 sq ft wall uses approximately 12-15 bags of mortar depending on joint width. Joints typically 1/2 to 1 inch wide in stone work. Dry stack stone: No mortar, interlocking fitted stones. Retaining walls under 3 feet. Requires skilled placement for stability. Base crucial, compacted gravel 6-12 inches. Less expensive than mortared, natural appearance, allows drainage. Approximately 20-40 per sq ft installed. Wall thickness by use: Veneer cladding 1-3 inches, decorative not structural. Garden wall 8-12 inches, low height under 3 feet. Retaining wall 12-18 inches, engineered for soil pressure. Building wall 18-24 inches, load-bearing structural. Thicker stronger but uses much more stone. Laying patterns: Rubble random irregular stones, natural look, difficult to lay. Coursed rubble horizontal layers, somewhat organized. Ashlar cut stone in courses, formal appearance, easier to lay. Mosaic flat stone like puzzle, patios and floors. Stack bond for cut stone, similar size stones. Pattern affects labor and appearance. Common mistakes: Ordering stone by square feet but sold by ton weight, conversion depends on thickness. Not accounting for thickness variation in natural stone, estimate average. Forgetting waste factor, irregular stones waste 15-20 percent in cutting and fitting. Inadequate base preparation, stone walls need solid compacted base. Trying DIY without experience, stone masonry extremely skill-intensive. Pro tips: Select stone at yard in person, color and size vary significantly. Order from same lot for color consistency. Lay stones on ground first plan pattern before mortar. Use largest stones for base and corners, provides strength. Save flattest stones for top cap. Point joints completely fills prevents water infiltration. Back-fill drainage behind retaining walls prevents failure. Foundation requirements: Stone walls heavy, require deep stable foundation. Footing depth below frost line 36-48 inches depending on region. Footing width 24-36 inches for tall walls. Compact gravel base 6-12 inches. Rebar in footing for reinforcement. Building permit and engineering required for structural walls over 4 feet high. Natural stone pros and cons: Advantages: extremely durable 50-100+ years, beautiful natural unique appearance, increases property value, low maintenance once built, fire-proof. Disadvantages: very expensive materials and labor, slow construction weeks or months, requires skilled masons, heavy requires substantial foundation, difficult to modify or remove. Manufactured stone veneer: Alternative to natural stone, concrete molded to look like stone. Lighter weight, easier installation, costs 6-12 per sq ft installed. Looks realistic from distance. Less durable than natural stone but adequate for cladding. Example project: Stone fireplace surround 80 sq ft. Veneer stone 3 inches thick. Materials: 1,200, mortar 100, labor 2,000, total 3,300 or 41 per sq ft. Natural thicker stone would be 5,000-7,000. FAQ: How much stone for wall? Depends on thickness, typical 8-inch wall needs approximately 100 pounds per sq ft or 1 ton per 20 sq ft. Cost for stone wall? Natural stone 40-85 per sq ft installed. Dry stack cheaper 20-40 per sq ft. Veneer more affordable 20-40 per sq ft. Can I install stone myself? Veneer possibly for experienced DIYer. Structural stone walls definitely hire professional mason. Which stone lasts longest? Granite and limestone extremely durable 100+ years. Sandstone softer 50-75 years.