When it comes to crushed stone and gravel, there are different sizes or grades that you need to be aware of. Selecting the right product for your next project is important. Drainage, driveways, patios and roads require different types of gravel, so you need to make sure you are choosing the correct one for your driveway. In this article, I am going to walk you through the different sizes of driveway gravel and explain how to choose the best one for your needs.
Table of Contents
"Driveway gravel - gravel size chart
The table below shows the common gravel numbers and sizes:
| CRUSHED STONE GRADE OR NUMBER | STONE SIZE |
|---|---|
| #1 | 2-4 inches wide |
| #2 | 1-1.5 inches - 2-2.5 inches wide |
| #3 | Half an inch - 2 inches wide |
| #5 | 1 inch or less |
| #8 | 3/8 of an inch - 0.5 inch |
| #10 | Dust, grounded to a fine powder |
| #57 | 3 quarters of an inch |
| #67 | 3 quarters of an inch or smaller |
Difference between crushed stones and gravel
Crushed stone is available in a variety of sizes, from 3/8″ to 4″. The most common size is 3/4″, which is used for both base and surface course applications. Depending on the quarry where it was manufactured, 3/4″ crushed stone could be comprised of gneiss, granite, limestone or trap rock.
Gravel, on the other hand, is produced by natural weathering and erosion and typically has a more rounded shape. It can also come in a variety of colors when dyed or painted. Gravel is commonly used as an aggregate for concrete, driveways or walkways but can also be used on its own as an attractive landscaping feature.
Some of the most popular crushed rocks include those with angular or jagged edges. You can find these types of rocks for sale in many places and the different types are the following:
- Basalt
- Dolomite
- Gneiss
- Granite
- Laterite
- Limestone
- Marble
- Quartzite
- Sandstone
- Slate
- Trap Rock
The most popular natural rocks are agate, onyx, rose quartz, and amazonite. Each of these varieties has advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you know exactly what you want. The various rocks also come in a variety of colors, which affects the overall price you pay.
Gravel sizes and grades
Gravel is classified by stone particle size or diameter, with ten primary sizes and several extra unique ones:
- Although the names for each size may be different in various places or from one supplier to another, their particle diameter and uses are quite similar. As a result, they have comparable applications.
- Second, grades do not indicate which stone was crushed, whether granite, limestone, sandstone, or slate for example.
- To put it simply, the smaller the grade number is, the larger the gravel particle size will be. But this rule doesn’t apply to two special grades that I’ll go into later in the article.
Crushed Stone #1: 2-4 inches wide
The first size gravel you will find is called crushed stone #1. This stone is typically 2-4 inches wide and randomly sorted in length by the quarry. This product is used in a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects. This type of crushed stone is the largest of rock types and you have to work with each stone one by one (in other words you won’t be able to use a shovel).
Places these stones are commonly used
- Great for filling large holes and are commonly used in the construction of culvert ballasts
- Places where erosion is likely like cliff edges near large bodies of water
- Creating ditches and pits to channel rainwater
- Subbase for driveway or roads but will need screening gravel
- Excellent addition to any patio or yard. They can be used to line walkways and pathways
Crushed stone #2: 1-1.5 inches - 2-2.5 inches wide
These rocks are slightly smaller than number one but still large enough to be used for construction projects. The rocks in this category are typically 1-1.5 inches and 2-2.5 inches but are not overly popular. You’ll find that a lot of suppliers don’t usually have these in stock.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Not only can gravel be used to fill large holes, but it is also frequently used in the construction of culverts ballasts and railway lines
- Used in roads, highways and driveways as a sub base
- Landscaping decoration
- This is used in construction for points of entry and exit as well as drywall.
- Stormwater management
- A septic tank system that filters sewage
Crushed stone #3 half an inch - 2 inches wide
Crushed stone #3 is half an inch – 2 inches wide and have many uses in construction and for home projects. This is an excellent material to use for railroad projects or any project that includes the need for proper drainage.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Railway projects, culvert ballasts, roads and more
- Drainage projects
- Driveway sub base
- Septic systems
- Dry wells
Crushed stones #5: 1 inch or less
Crushed stone #5 is 1 inch or smaller in size. This material is ideal for paving and base roads. The material is also frequently used in construction as an underlayment. This stone can also be used for landscaping decoration and stormwater management.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Paving roads, driveways and parking lots
- Acting as a base layer for pavers, asphalt or concrete
- Drainage purposes
- Septic tank lines
- Parking pads
Crushed stones #8: 3/8 of an inch - 0.5 inch
The average size of these stones is 3/8 to 0.5 inches long. It’s the most widely used concrete aggregate and is usually used in concrete mixes. This stone is also ideal for drainage, septic systems and dry wells.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Concrete mixes
- As part of the aggregate in asphalt
- Concrete pavement, patios, and walkways Subbase
- Ideal for sidewalks and driveways
- Great to add decoration around yards, especially shrubs and trees
- Drainage systems
Crushed stone #10: Dust, grounded to a fine powder
Crushed stone #10, also known as screenings or dust, is commonly used to create pavers and concrete blocks. They are sturdy, easily compacted and have a very fine texture. This type of stone is generally used in home construction projects that include patio building and concrete pavers
Places these stones are commonly used
- Gardening and landscaping as a top layer for pavers or concrete block
- Great to use in construction projects that include concrete or asphalt mixes
- Frequently used as an underlayment for paving stones or driveways
- Can also be used for drainage purposes, septic systems, and dry wells
- To assist pack or prevent movement, they were added to larger stones’ crevices
- Used as a foundation for patio stones, clay bricks, and concrete pavers.
- The precast concrete base material is used to make pavers, blocks, and slabs
- Since it is very sturdy and reliable it can be used in many patio projects as the final layer
Specialty Crushed stone #57 – 3 quarters of an inch
Crushed stone #10, also known as screenings or dust, is most commonly used to create pavers and concrete blocks.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Base layer for railroad ballasts
- French drains
- Gravel walkways
- Landscaping
- Lining for underground pipes and cables
- Retaining walls
- Septic drainage fields
- Sub-base for sheds
Specialty Crushed stone #67 – 3 quarters of an inch or smaller
Crushed stone #67 is approximately ¾ of an inch, still slightly smaller than #57. They vary in size from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch and can be compacted or worked by hand.
Places these stones are commonly used
- Place around drain pipes to improve drainage.
- Perfect for driveway, and walkaways
- Reinforcing retaining walls
- Slab and road base material
- Great for premixed concrete and hot-mix asphalt
- Great for securing hard-to-compact soil
Crushed stone #411
411 Limestone is a stone that comes in various shades of white and gray. It’s often used for construction purposes because it consists of sharp edges. The size of the stones can range from one inch to tiny dust particles, which makes it an ideal material to use as either fill or base. The presence of stone dust indicates that it is compaction-ready and solidifies after compacting. It may be used in the construction of walkways, parking lots, or other projects requiring a compact sub-base.
- Driveways, parking lots, and any other job that requires compact crushed rocks.
- Wall and paver foundation
- Fill in that can be compacted
Conclusion
The crushed stones listed above are most commonly used for specific purposes in construction and landscaping. Depending on the size of the stone, it can be used as a base layer for different materials or to improve drainage. Let’s summarise the different sizes:
