Types of Gravel: 14 Common Kinds, Sizes and What Each Is Used For

“Gravel” covers dozens of different stones. Each type differs in four ways:

• Shape: rounded or angular
• Size: from fine dust to 2-inch stone
• Cleanliness: washed, or mixed with fines
• Color and price

Picking the right type matters more than most people expect. The wrong stone can rut a driveway, clog a drain or roll off a path.

This guide explains the most common types of gravel, what the numbered sizes mean, and which type to use for each job. Prices are HomeGuide’s 2026 delivered ranges (HomeGuide).

Two families: crushed vs natural (rounded)

• Crushed stone is quarried rock broken by machines into angular pieces. The sharp faces lock together, so crushed stone is used where stability matters: driveways, bases and paths.
• Natural gravel (pea gravel, river rock) is rounded by water. It looks softer and feels better underfoot, but it rolls and shifts under weight.

Gravel sizes: what the numbers mean

Numbered sizes such as #57 come from ASTM D448, which classifies aggregate by sieve size (ASTM D448 Table 1). Higher numbers mean smaller stone.

Size	Nominal size	Typical use
#3	2 in – 1 in	Bottom stabilizing layer, soft ground
#4	1½ in – ¾ in	Sub-base
#5	1 in – ½ in	Base or surface
#57	1 in – No. 4 (≈3/16 in)	Driveway surface, drainage, concrete
#67	¾ in – No. 4	Drainage, pipe bedding
#8	⅜ in – No. 8	Fine surface, paths
#89	⅜ in – No. 16	Fine aggregate
#10	Screenings (No. 4 and finer)	Stone dust, binder

14 common types of gravel

Crushed stone and base materials

1. Crusher run (also called #411, dense grade, quarry process or road base) Crushed stone mixed with stone dust. It compacts into a hard, stable layer. Angi notes it forms a durable surface (Angi).

• Use: driveway and paver bases.
• Price: $24–$34/ton.

2. #57 stone Clean, angular stone from 1 inch to about 3/16 inch.

• Use: driveway top layer, French drains, concrete aggregate.
• See #57 stone explained.

3. #3 stone Large 1–2 inch stone.

• Use: the bottom layer of driveways on soft or wet soil.

4. Crushed limestone Common, affordable crushed stone.

• Use: bases, paths and driveways.
• Price: $30–$38/ton.

5. Crushed granite Hard, durable angular stone.

• Use: paths and driveways.
• Price: $25–$50/ton.

6. Crushed concrete and recycled asphalt Recycled materials and some of the cheapest options.

• Use: sub-base and rural drives.
• Price: crushed concrete $11–$53/ton; crushed and recycled asphalt $10–$27/ton.

7. Stone dust / screenings The fine material left from crushing.

• Use: fills joints and binds surfaces.
• Paver manufacturer Unilock advises against stone dust as a paver base because the fines trap water (Unilock).

8. Class 5 (sand & gravel) A blended road-base mix used in some regions.

• Price: $11–$19/ton.

Rounded and decorative gravel

9. Pea gravel Small, smooth, rounded stone, usually about 3/8 inch (Angi).

• Use: patios, paths, play areas.
• Price: $28–$45/ton.
• See the pea gravel guide.

10. River rock Larger rounded stones.

• Use: dry creek beds, borders, drainage swales.
• Price: $33–$49/ton.

11. Decomposed granite (DG) Fine, weathered granite. Angi lists good drainage and traction, but it can be dusty.

• Use: paths and patios in dry climates.

12. White gravel and marble chips Bright decorative stone.

• Price: white gravel $52–$184/ton.

13. Lava rock / black gravel Lightweight, porous, dark stone.

• Use: accent beds.
• Price: $76–$85/ton.

14. Quartz gravel and slate chips Decorative specialty stone.

• Price: quartz $69–$95/ton; slate chips $27–$64/ton.

Which type of gravel should I use?

Project	Best type(s)	Avoid
Driveway base	Crusher run, #3 on soft ground	Pea gravel
Driveway surface	#57 or ¾–1 in crushed stone	Round stone, stone over 2 in
French drain	Washed #57 or #67	Crusher run, pea gravel
Paver base	¾ in crusher run or clear stone	Stone dust
Patio	Pea gravel or ¾ in crushed stone	Large river rock
Garden path	Pea gravel, crushed granite, DG	Large stone
Decorative beds	Pea gravel, river rock, colored stone	—
Concrete mix	#57	Dirty or rounded fill

Detailed guides:

• Best gravel for a driveway
• Best gravel for a French drain
• Paver base explained
• Landscaping with gravel

How to compare gravel types when buying

1. Ask for the size number or gradation, not just a name. “Crushed stone” can mean anything from dust to 2-inch rock.
2. Ask whether it is washed (clean). For drainage, it must be.
3. Compare by the same unit. Typical dry gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard (Engineering ToolBox), so convert before comparing per-ton and per-yard quotes.
4. Check the delivery minimum and fee. See the gravel cost guide.

Once you’ve chosen a type, the gravel type calculator estimates tons and yards using a density for each type.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main types of gravel? Crushed stone (crusher run, #57, #3, crushed limestone and granite), recycled materials, and natural rounded gravel (pea gravel, river rock). There are also decorative stones such as white gravel, lava rock and slate.

What is the difference between crushed stone and gravel? Crushed stone is machine-broken and angular. Natural gravel is rounded by water. Angular stone locks together, while rounded stone rolls.

What does #57 gravel mean? It is an ASTM D448 size, 1 inch down to about 3/16 inch.

What is the cheapest type of gravel? Recycled asphalt and crushed concrete, and Class 5 sand & gravel, often under $20 per ton (HomeGuide).

Sources

• HomeGuide, How Much Does Crushed Stone or Gravel Cost? (2026): homeguide.com
• ASTM D448, Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate, Table 1: PDF copy
• Angi, Pros and Cons of Gravel for Driveways: angi.com
• Angi, Pea Gravel Sizes: angi.com
• Unilock, Base Preparation: unilock.com
• Engineering ToolBox, Dirt and Mud – Densities: engineeringtoolbox.com