How to Use This Crushed Stone Size Chart
Crushed stone is graded by particle size, and each grade number corresponds to a specific size range with its own set of best applications. Choosing the wrong grade is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes in a driveway or landscaping project. This page provides a straightforward reference chart and plain-language explanations of every major grade so you can walk into a conversation with a supplier knowing exactly what to ask for.
For a deeper understanding of what the grade numbers mean in terms of particle size distribution curves and sieve analysis, the crushed stone gradation and particle sizes page covers the technical background. The crushed stone sizes and gradations explained page provides a narrative guide to how gradation choices affect real-world performance. This page focuses on quick, practical reference.
Crushed Stone Size Chart
| Grade | Particle Size Range | Common Name | Primary Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2 inches to 4 inches | Large crushed stone | Erosion control, riprap, fill for large voids, drainage channels |
| #2 | 1.5 inches to 3 inches | Coarse crushed stone | Subbase fill, railroad ballast, culvert backfill, stormwater management |
| #3 | 1 inch to 2.5 inches | Base stone | Driveway subbase, drainage layers, dry wells, septic system surrounds |
| #5 | 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches | Road base stone | Driveway base, road sub-base, patio base, drainage applications |
| #57 | 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches | Pea-sized driveway stone | Driveway surface and upper base, concrete aggregate, French drains, landscaping |
| #67 | Under 1 inch (avg. 0.75 inch) | All-purpose clean stone | Driveway surface, drainage backfill, retaining wall backfill, pipe bedding |
| #8 | 0.375 inch to 0.5 inch | Chip stone | Concrete mix aggregate, asphalt mix, driveway topdressing, decorative use |
| #10 | Under 0.125 inch | Stone dust / screenings | Paver levelling bed, joint filler, asphalt base, walkway topdressing |
| #411 | Under 1 inch with fines | Crusher run blend | Compacted driveway base and surface, parking areas, high-stability base |
| Crusher run | Mixed sizes with all fines | Dense graded aggregate | Compacted driveway base, hardstanding, any application needing a bound surface |
Note that grade names and size ranges can vary between suppliers and states. Always confirm the exact size specification with your local supplier before ordering, as the same grade number may describe slightly different size ranges in different regions.
Grade-by-Grade Practical Guide
Grades #1 and #2: Large Fill and Structural Stone
Grades #1 and #2 contain the largest crushed stone particles and are not typically used on the surface of any driveway or path. Their primary roles are structural and hydraulic: filling large voids, stabilising slopes against erosion, lining drainage channels, and forming the coarse outer layer of a septic drain field or stormwater management system. Grade #2 is also the standard material for railroad ballast because its large, angular particles lock together under vibration and allow water to drain through freely without the fine particles that would cause the ballast to clog and lose its drainage function.
For most homeowners, these large grades appear only in one scenario: as the very bottom layer of a deep fill situation, such as building up a significantly depressed driveway area or stabilising a steep embankment alongside a property. They are not a replacement for the more refined base and surface grades in a standard three-layer driveway build.
Grade #3: The Foundation Layer
Grade #3 is one of the most important stones in a layered driveway system even though it is never seen once installation is complete. Its particles, ranging from one inch to two and a half inches, are large enough to create generous void spaces that allow water to drain freely through the subbase and away from the driveway structure. This drainage function is critical in preventing the frost heave, soft spots, and base saturation that cause driveways to develop ruts and potholes over time.
A correctly specified driveway subbase uses #3 stone as the lowest compacted layer, typically at four to six inches of depth, before the intermediate base layer is placed on top. The crushed stone base and subbase specs for driveways page gives detailed depth and compaction requirements for each layer.
Grade #5: Versatile Base and Sub-Base Material
Grade #5 occupies the middle ground between the coarse structural stone of #3 and the finer surface stones. Its particle range of half an inch to one and a half inches makes it suitable as a road and slab base, a paved driveway sub-base layer, and a drainage fill in systems such as French drains and soakaway pits. It is workable by hand and can be shovelled and raked without the difficulty that comes with the larger grades.
Grade #57: The Most Popular Driveway Stone
Grade #57 is the single most widely specified crushed stone for residential driveways, and for good reason. Its half-inch to one-and-a-half-inch particle range is large enough to provide free drainage between stones and prevent the surface from becoming a muddy, compacted mass, while being small enough to spread evenly and sit stably under vehicle tyres. It compacts moderately well without fully binding, which means it stays workable and self-correcting over time as minor disturbances allow particles to resettle.
Grade #57 is also the standard coarse aggregate in concrete mixes and is widely used in French drain trenches where free drainage is more important than surface stability. Its widespread availability makes it one of the most competitively priced grades in most regions. A full comparison of how it performs against other grades and against natural gravel is available through the best crushed stone for driveways and how to choose page.
Grade #67: Finer Surface Stone
Grade #67 is similar to #57 in application but finer in particle size, with all particles falling under one inch and an average diameter around three quarters of an inch. The absence of stone dust in a well-screened #67 product means it does not compact into a rigid surface but stays open-graded and free-draining. This makes it particularly useful for drainage backfill applications where you want water to move freely without the material binding and blocking the void structure.
On driveways, #67 produces a slightly smoother, more even surface than #57 and is easier to rake by hand when carrying out maintenance top-ups. Its smaller size also makes it a more comfortable surface underfoot than coarser grades, which is worth considering if the driveway doubles as a pedestrian path. The how to fix and improve gravel driveway drainage page discusses how open-graded stones like #67 contribute to good surface water management.
Grade #8: Chips and Topdressing
Grade #8 stone, with particles in the three-eighths to half-inch range, functions primarily as an aggregate component rather than a standalone surface material. It is a standard inclusion in concrete and asphalt mixes, where its small, angular particles fill the gaps between larger aggregate pieces and contribute to the overall density and strength of the finished mix.
As a driveway topdressing, #8 chips can be applied over an existing surface to refresh the appearance and fill minor surface voids, though they are too small to provide meaningful structural repair. They are also used in decorative landscaping applications around garden beds and feature areas.
Grade #10: Stone Dust and Screenings
Grade #10 is the finest output of the stone crushing process and behaves more like coarse sand than recognisable gravel. It is produced as a byproduct when larger grades are screened, and its primary value lies in its ability to be compacted into an extremely flat, stable surface or used as a precise levelling medium.
The most common residential application is as a setting bed under pavers, flagstones, concrete blocks, and patio stones. A layer of stone dust one inch deep, screeded flat with a straight edge, provides the ideal compactable base for laying any rigid paving unit. When dampened and tamped, #10 binds firmly and holds a consistent level. It is also used to fill the joints and internal voids of a crusher run base layer after initial compaction, increasing the overall density of the structure. For pea gravel patio construction, where a smooth and level base is particularly important, our pea gravel patio guide discusses how a stone dust setting layer improves the finished result.
Grade #411 and Crusher Run: Compacted Base Materials
Grade #411 and crusher run are the workhorses of driveway base construction. Both products intentionally retain the fine material, including stone dust, that is screened out of cleaner grades. This fines content acts as a natural binder under compaction: when the material is moistened to its optimal moisture content and then compacted with a plate compactor or roller, the fines fill the voids between larger particles and the whole mass locks into a dense, stable matrix.
The distinction between the two is one of specification precision. Grade #411 is a defined blend, typically combining #57 stone with #10 stone dust, and meets a specific gradation standard. Crusher run is a less precisely defined term that generally means the full output of a crusher with no fines removed, and the gradation can vary more between suppliers.
For a driveway base layer, either product will outperform a clean, open-graded stone in terms of structural stability. The how crushed stone shape affects angularity and interlock page explains why angular, fines-rich materials compact so effectively, and the crushed stone drainage and compaction guide provides the step-by-step process for getting a crusher run base properly compacted.
Choosing the Right Grade for Common Projects
Standard three-layer residential driveway: #3 subbase at four to six inches, #57 or crusher run mid-base at three to four inches, #57 or #67 surface at two to three inches.
Driveway with drainage problems: Replace the subbase with a clean #3 layer of increased depth to improve water movement away from the structure, and use open-graded #57 or #67 in the surface layer rather than crusher run, which can reduce permeability.
Compacted hardstanding or parking area: Crusher run or #411 throughout, compacted in layers no deeper than four inches per lift, gives the most stable bound surface without the cost of asphalt.
French drain or soakaway: Clean #57 or #3 with no fines. Fines-bearing products such as crusher run will clog a drainage trench over time.
Patio or path base: #57 or #5 as a base layer of three to four inches, topped with #10 stone dust as a one-inch levelling bed for any rigid paving unit.
Decorative garden or pathway surface: #67 or #8 in a clean, screened grade with a well-defined edging to contain the material.
A full guide to matching stone size to driveway application is available on the choose the best gravel size for your driveway page. The mineral composition of crushed stone for driveways page explains how the parent rock type interacts with grade selection to determine long-term performance, and the recycled crushed stone composition and quality guide covers how recycled aggregate grades compare with their virgin stone equivalents. The full existing reference from Bovees on crushed gravel stone sizes, charts, and grades is a useful companion for cross-referencing natural gravel sizes alongside the crushed stone grades covered here.
How to Calculate the Volume You Need
Calculating the quantity of crushed stone required for a project involves three steps: finding the area, applying the intended depth, and converting to the unit your supplier prices by, which is usually tons.
Start by measuring the length and width of the area in feet. Multiply these two figures together to get the square footage. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles or triangles, calculate each section separately, and add them together.
Next, decide on your intended depth in inches and convert it to a decimal fraction of a foot by dividing by 12. A three-inch depth becomes 0.25 feet, a four-inch depth becomes 0.33 feet, and a six-inch depth becomes 0.5 feet.
Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet to get the volume in cubic feet. Divide that figure by 27 to convert to cubic yards, since there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply by 1.4 as a general factor for most crushed stone grades. This factor varies slightly between stone types: denser stones such as trap rock may be closer to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, while lighter recycled concrete aggregate may be closer to 1.25 tons per cubic yard. If in doubt, ask your supplier for the specific weight per cubic yard of the material you are ordering.
Always add a minimum of 10 percent to your calculated quantity before placing an order. Spreading depth is never perfectly consistent across a real surface, some material will be lost at edges, and having a small surplus avoids the need for a second delivery to complete a job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most commonly used crushed stone size for driveways?
Grade #57, with particles ranging from roughly half an inch to one and a half inches, is the most widely used surface and upper base layer stone for residential driveways. It drains freely, compacts reasonably well under traffic, and is available from most aggregate suppliers across North America. Grade #411, which is #57 stone combined with stone dust, is the preferred choice where a more tightly bound, compacted surface is needed.
What size crushed stone is best for a driveway base?
Grade #3, with particles ranging from one inch to two and a half inches, is the standard choice for the lowest subbase layer of a driveway because its larger size provides good drainage and a stable structural platform. Grade #57 or crusher run is then placed on top as the middle base layer. Using these two layers in sequence before the surface stone gives a driveway its long-term load-bearing strength.
What is crusher run and when should I use it?
Crusher run is not a specific grade number but rather a crushed stone product that retains all the fines produced during crushing, including stone dust, rather than having them screened out. This mix of coarse particles and fine material compacts into an exceptionally firm, stable surface under a roller or plate compactor. It is the best choice for a compacted driveway base layer or as a standalone surface where a hard, bound finish is preferred over a loose stone top.
What does #10 stone dust get used for?
Grade #10, also called stone dust or gravel screenings, is the finest output of the crushing process and resembles coarse sand. It is primarily used as a levelling bed under pavers, flagstones, and concrete blocks, where a thin, compactable layer is needed to create a flat and stable setting surface. It is also used to fill the joints and voids between larger stones in a compacted base, improving overall density and reducing settlement.
How do I calculate how much crushed stone I need?
Measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply them together to get the square footage. Then multiply by the intended depth in feet, converting inches to a decimal fraction first. For example, a 3-inch depth is 0.25 feet. The result is the volume in cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply by approximately 1.4 for most crushed stone grades. Always add 10 percent to your calculated quantity to allow for waste and variation in spreading depth.
Can I use the same crushed stone size for both the base and surface of my driveway?
Using a single stone size for both layers is possible but not ideal. A larger base stone such as #3 provides drainage and structural support that a smaller surface stone cannot replicate, and a smaller surface stone such as #57 provides a smoother, more stable driving surface than large base stone would. Using two or three layers of different sizes, as recommended in the layered driveway base guides on this site, will always outperform a single-size installation in both durability and comfort.
What is the difference between #57 and #67 crushed stone?
Both grades are clean, open-graded stones without significant fines content, but they differ in maximum particle size. Grade #57 can include particles up to one and a half inches, while #67 is typically limited to particles under one inch with an average size around three quarters of an inch. Grade #67 is slightly finer, produces a somewhat smoother surface, and is easier to rake and spread by hand. Grade #57 drains slightly more freely due to its larger void spaces.
The Foundation of Great Landscaping.