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What Is #57 Stone? Size, Uses, Weight and #57 vs #67

#57 stone is clean crushed stone sized from 1 inch down to about 3/16 inch (ASTM D448). Learn what #57 stone is used for, how much a yard weighs, #57 vs #67, and how much to order.

Nestiex Team ·

What Is #57 Stone? Size, Uses, Weight and #57 vs #67

#57 stone (also written “57 stone”, “No. 57” or “AASHTO #57”) is one of the most-used crushed stones in construction and landscaping. It is clean, angular stone with no fine dust. That makes it a favorite for:

  • drainage,
  • concrete aggregate, and
  • the top layer of driveways.

Below: the exact size of #57 stone, what it is used for, how it compares with #67, what a yard weighs, and how much you need. For a quick quantity, jump to the #57 gravel calculator.

What size is #57 stone?

The number comes from the ASTM D448 standard (also published as AASHTO M43). It classifies aggregate by the sieves it passes through. Size #57 has a nominal size of 1 inch to No. 4. In practice, the stones range from 1 inch down to about 3/16 inch (4.75 mm) (ASTM D448 Table 1).

Most pieces in a load of #57 are between about 1/2 and 1 inch, which is why suppliers often describe it as “3/4-inch stone”.

ASTM sizeNominal sizeNotes
#32 in to 1 inLarge base stone
#51 in to 1/2 in
#571 in to No. 4 (≈3/16 in)Clean, all-purpose
#673/4 in to No. 4Slightly smaller than #57
#83/8 in to No. 8Fine, pea-sized

What is #57 stone used for?

  • Drainage. Because #57 is washed and has no fines, water moves freely through the gaps. It is a common choice for French drains, behind retaining walls, around foundation drains and under downspouts. See gravel for French drains.
  • Driveway top layer. Spread 2–3 inches over a compacted crusher-run base. It gives a clean, uniform look and drains well. On its own it does not lock together as tightly as stone with fines. See the best gravel for a driveway.
  • Concrete aggregate. #57 is a standard coarse aggregate size for ready-mix concrete.
  • Pipe bedding and backfill, for utility and drain pipes.
  • Paver and patio bases, as an open-graded “clear stone” option. Unilock lists 3/4-inch clear stone as one acceptable base material (Unilock).

#57 stone vs #67 stone

Both are clean crushed stone, and the only difference is the top size:

  • #57: 1 inch down to No. 4
  • #67: 3/4 inch down to No. 4

#67 is slightly finer, so it gives a smoother walking surface and is popular for pipe bedding. #57 has slightly larger voids, so it moves water a little faster. For most drainage and driveway uses they are interchangeable, so buy whichever your local quarry stocks.

#57 stone vs crusher run

Crusher run (also called #411, dense grade or quarry process) is crushed stone mixed with stone dust. The dust fills the gaps, so crusher run compacts into a hard, almost solid layer, but it drains slowly. #57 has no dust, so it drains quickly but doesn’t pack as hard.

That is why driveways often use both: crusher run as the compacted base, and #57 on top.

How much does a yard of #57 stone weigh?

Typical dry gravel weighs about 105 lb per cubic foot (Engineering ToolBox). That is about 2,835 lb, or roughly 1.4 tons, per cubic yard. #57 crushed stone usually falls close to this figure. Exact weight depends on the rock (granite, limestone, trap rock) and on moisture, so ask your quarry for its figure if you order by the ton.

QuantityApprox. weight
1 cubic foot~105 lb
1 cubic yard~2,835 lb (≈1.4 tons)
1 ton~0.71 cubic yards

How much #57 stone do I need?

  1. Multiply length × width in feet.
  2. Multiply by depth in inches ÷ 12.
  3. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
  4. Multiply by 1.4 for tons.

Example: a 30 × 10 ft area, 3 inches deep

  • 30 × 10 × 0.25 = 75 cubic feet
  • 75 ÷ 27 = 2.78 cubic yards
  • 2.78 × 1.4 = 3.9 tons

Add 5–10% for spreading losses. The #57 gravel calculator does this instantly and adds cost if you enter your local price.

How much does #57 stone cost?

#57 is usually priced like other crushed stone. HomeGuide lists crushed limestone at $30–$38 per ton and crushed granite at $25–$50 per ton, delivered (HomeGuide). Prices vary by region, so check with a local quarry. See our gravel cost guide for delivery and truckload pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What is #57 stone? Clean, washed crushed stone graded from 1 inch down to about 3/16 inch under ASTM D448.

What size is 57 stone in inches? 1 inch to about 3/16 inch, with most pieces between 1/2 and 1 inch.

Is #57 stone good for drainage? Yes. With no fines, it leaves open voids that let water pass quickly. That makes it a standard choice for French drains and behind walls.

Is #57 or #67 better? They perform almost the same. #67 is slightly smaller (3/4 inch top size).

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