Gravel Size Chart – Stone Numbers, Driveway & Drainage Guide
Gravel Size Chart
Stone Numbers, Driveway & Drainage Guide
The complete gravel sizing reference — stone numbers #1-#89, pea gravel, driveway base layers, and drainage/landscaping applications.
Reviewed by Muhammad Ramzan Babar, PhD Researcher (Plasma Physics) & Calculator Developer — View Profile
⭐ Master Gravel Size Chart
Complete reference showing gravel sizes, dimensions, common names, and recommended applications for construction, drainage, and landscaping.
How to Read This Chart
Gravel grades follow standard quarry stone number classifications used across the US construction industry. Estimate your quantities with our Gravel Calculator.
| Gravel Type | Nominal Size | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Dust | Under 3/8″ | Paver base, joint fill |
| Pea Gravel | 3/8″-3/4″ | Landscaping, walkways, decorative |
| #8 Stone | 3/32″-3/8″ | Pipe bedding, drainage, walkway top layer |
| #67 Stone | 3/16″-3/4″ | Concrete mix, driveway surface |
| #57 Stone | 1/2″-1″ | Driveways, French drains, concrete aggregate |
| #4 Stone | 3/4″-1.5″ | Driveway base, drainage |
| #3 Stone | 1″-2″ | Driveway base, heavy traffic areas |
| #1 Stone | 2″-4″ | Erosion control, heavy drainage |
| Riprap | 6″-28″+ | Erosion control, shoreline protection |
Source: standard crushed stone size gradation references
⭐ Gravel Size Chart by Stone Number
Quarry stone numbers are the standard industry shorthand for gravel gradation.
| Gravel Type | Nominal Size | Sieve Size | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Dust | Under 3/8″ | Passes No. 4/No. 8 | Paver base, joint fill |
| Pea Gravel | 3/8″-3/4″ | 3/8″-3/4″ | Landscaping, walkways |
| #10 | Under 3/8″ (dust) | Passes No. 4 | Paver base, final surfacing |
| #8 | 3/32″-3/8″ | 3/8″ to No. 8 | Backfill, top layer walkways |
| #89 | 3/64″-3/8″ | 3/8″ to No. 100 | Decorative gravel, pipe fill |
| #67 | 3/16″-3/4″ | 3/4″ to No. 4 | Concrete mix, surface applications |
| #57 | 3/16″-1″ | 1″ to No. 4 | Driveways, French drains, concrete |
| #5 | 1/2″-1″ | 1″ to 1/2″ | Driveways, walkways, concrete mix |
| #4 | 3/4″-1.5″ | 1.5″ to 3/4″ | Drainage, patios, landscape beds |
| #3 | 1″-2″ | 2″ to 1″ | Driveway base, retaining walls |
| #2 | 1.5″-3″ | 3″ to 1.5″ | Base for driveways, retaining walls |
| #1 | 2″-4″ | 4″ to 1.5″ | Heavy drainage, erosion control |
| Riprap | 6″-28″+ | Varies by class | Erosion control, shoreline protection |
Source: gravel size gradation chart and crushed stone size reference.
⭐ Gravel Size by Construction Application
Application requirements dictate whether structural load-bearing or drainage performance is the priority.
| Project | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| Concrete Mixes | #67 stone |
| Foundations | #57/#67 stone |
| Footings | #57/#67 stone |
| Driveways | #3/#4 base, #57/#67 surface |
| Sidewalks | #4 base, #8 top layer |
| Patios | #4 base, stone dust/#57 top |
| Slab Base | #57/#67 stone |
| French Drains | #57 clean/washed stone |
| Septic Systems | 3/4″-2.5″ washed rock |
| Pipe Bedding | #8/#89 stone |
Source: septic drain field and backfill gravel sizing guidance.
Gravel Size by Driveway Type
Traffic load and usage frequency determine the appropriate gravel size and base thickness for each driveway type.
| Driveway Type | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| Residential Driveways | #3/#4 base, #57 surface |
| Farm Roads | #2/#3 base, #57 surface |
| Gravel Roads | #1/#2 base, #57/crusher run surface |
| Parking Areas | #3 base, #67 surface |
| Private Lanes | #4 base, #57 surface |
Source: contractor layer-by-layer driveway gravel guide.
Gravel Size by Drainage Application
Drainage systems favor clean, uniformly graded gravel with high permeability and resistance to clogging.
| Application | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| French Drains | #57 clean/washed stone (2-9.5mm range) |
| Foundation Drainage | #57 clean/washed stone |
| Retaining Wall Drainage | #57/#89 stone |
| Dry Wells | #3/#4 stone |
| Trench Drains | #57 stone |
| Culverts | #2/#3 stone |
Source: Penn State drainage research on gravel size for subsurface drainage.
Gravel Size by Landscaping Application
Landscaping gravel selection balances appearance, walkability, and weed suppression.
| Application | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| Garden Paths | Pea gravel (3/8″-3/4″) |
| Decorative Landscaping | Pea gravel, river rock (3/8″-1.5″) |
| Rock Gardens | #1/#2 stone, larger decorative rock |
| Walkways | #4 base, pea gravel or decomposed granite top |
| Xeriscaping | Pea gravel, decorative gravel (3/8″-1.5″) |
| Water Features | River rock, larger decorative stone |
Gravel Size by Concrete Application
Gravel used as coarse aggregate in concrete must be selected based on structural member type and section thickness.
| Application | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| Sidewalks | #67 stone |
| Slabs | #67 stone |
| Footings | #57/#67 stone |
| Columns | #8/#67 stone (dense rebar) |
| Beams | #8/#67 stone |
| Structural Concrete | #67 stone (standard mix design) |
For full ASTM aggregate sizing detail, see our Aggregate Size Chart, and cross-check mix proportions with the Concrete Mix Design Chart.
Gravel Size vs Load Capacity
Larger, angular gravel generally provides better load-bearing performance when properly compacted.
| Gravel Size | Typical Load-Bearing Performance |
|---|---|
| #1/#2 (2″-4″) | High — excellent for heavy equipment pads, base courses |
| #3/#4 (3/4″-2″) | High — strong driveway/parking base layer |
| #57 (1/2″-1″) | Moderate-High — good surface layer, driveways |
| Pea Gravel (3/8″-3/4″) | Low-Moderate — poor for heavy loads, shifts under weight |
Gravel Size vs Compaction Chart
Particle size and angularity strongly influence how well gravel compacts and locks together.
| Gravel Category | Ease of Compaction | Drainage | Stability | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Gravel (#8-#10) | High | Low-Moderate | Moderate | Paver base, walkway surfacing |
| Medium Gravel (#57-#67) | Moderate-High | Moderate-High | High | Driveways, concrete aggregate |
| Large Gravel (#1-#3) | Moderate | High | High | Driveway/road base courses |
⭐ Gravel Size vs Drainage Performance
Void space between particles determines how effectively water flows through a gravel layer.
Water Flow
Increases with larger, more uniform particle size due to larger interconnected voids
Permeability
Higher in clean, single-sized gravel; reduced by fines or poor grading
Void Space
Larger particles create bigger void spaces, improving water storage capacity
Drainage Efficiency
Best achieved with washed, uniformly graded #57 stone free of silt and clay
Gravel Size vs Soil Type
Underlying soil conditions determine how much base gravel thickness and what size is needed for stability.
| Soil Type | Recommended Gravel Size / Base |
|---|---|
| Clay Soil | #3 stone, 8″ base thickness |
| Sandy Soil | #3/#57 stone, 4″ base thickness |
| Loam | #3/#57 stone, 6″ base thickness |
| Expansive Soil | #2/#3 stone, 8″+ base thickness |
| Wet Ground | #1/#2 stone with geotextile fabric |
Source: driveway base thickness recommendations by soil type.
Gravel Size by Base Layer Thickness
Base layer thickness scales with load requirements and the gravel size being used.
| Application | Gravel Size | Recommended Base Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Patios | #4/#57 stone | 4″-6″ |
| Driveways | #3 base + #57 surface | 8″-14″ total |
| Concrete Slabs | #57/#67 stone | 4″-6″ |
| Pavers | #57 base + stone dust leveling | 4″-6″ |
Source: gravel driveway base thickness layer charts.
Gravel Size Comparison Chart
Side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used gravel grades.
| Gravel Type | Particle Size | Drainage | Compaction | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | 3/8″-3/4″ | Moderate | Low (rounded) | Landscaping, walkways |
| #57 Stone | 1/2″-1″ | High | Moderate-High | Driveways, French drains, concrete |
| #67 Stone | 3/16″-3/4″ | Moderate-High | High | Concrete mix, driveway surface |
| #8 Stone | 3/32″-3/8″ | Moderate | Moderate | Backfill, pipe bedding |
| Crushed Gravel | Varies (angular) | Moderate-High | High | Bases, structural fill |
| River Gravel | Varies (rounded) | High | Low | Decorative, drainage beds |
⭐ Crushed Gravel vs Rounded Gravel
The choice between crushed and rounded gravel significantly affects long-term project performance.
| Property | Crushed Gravel | Rounded Gravel |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Angular, sharp-edged, uniform look | Smooth, naturally weathered look |
| Compaction | Excellent — locks together tightly | Poor — particles shift and roll |
| Drainage | Good, depends on grading | Excellent — high void space |
| Stability | High — best for load-bearing bases | Low — not suitable for structural loads |
| Cost | Moderate (processing cost) | Often lower for natural river gravel |
| Best Applications | Driveways, bases, structural fill | Decorative landscaping, drainage beds |
Gravel Size by Road Construction
Road layers use progressively finer gravel from base to surface course for optimal load transfer.
| Layer | Recommended Gravel Size |
|---|---|
| Base Course | #1/#2 stone (2″-4″) |
| Subbase | #3 stone (1″-2.5″) |
| Surface Gravel | #57 stone or crusher run |
| Shoulder Material | #3/#4 stone |
Source: contractor driveway/road layer construction guide.
Gravel Size Selection Guide
A quick decision reference matching common project types to recommended gravel size and reasoning.
| Project | Recommended Gravel Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Residential driveway | #3 base, #57 surface | Strong base support with drainable, comfortable surface |
| French drain | #57 clean stone | High permeability, resists silt clogging |
| Concrete slab base | #57/#67 stone | Stable, well-drained support layer under slab |
| Garden path | Pea gravel | Comfortable walking surface, attractive appearance |
| Parking area | #3 base, #67 surface | Handles repeated vehicle loading without rutting |
| Septic drain field | 3/4″-2.5″ washed rock | Meets code permeability requirements for effluent distribution |
⭐ Visual Gravel Size Comparison
Relative particle size comparison across common gravel types, drawn to a consistent scale.
Note: circle sizes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison, not exact millimeter dimensions.
Common Gravel Selection Mistakes
These errors are the most frequent causes of gravel project failures reported by contractors.
Choosing gravel too small for driveways
Small, rounded gravel like pea gravel shifts and sinks under vehicle weight, causing ruts and poor stability over time.
Using oversized gravel in concrete
Aggregate larger than recommended for the section thickness or rebar spacing causes voids and reduces structural strength.
Ignoring drainage requirements
Using poorly graded or dirty gravel in drainage applications leads to clogging and water pooling issues.
Mixing incompatible gravel sizes
Combining different gravel sizes within one layer reduces compaction quality and creates inconsistent drainage performance.
Poor base preparation
Skipping proper subgrade leveling or geotextile fabric on wet soils leads to premature settling and gravel migration.
Inadequate compaction
Failing to compact gravel in thin layers with proper equipment results in a soft, unstable base that fails under load.
Contractor Worked Examples
Real-world gravel selection decisions for common job scenarios.
Residential Driveway
French Drain
Concrete Slab Base
Retaining Wall Drainage
Garden Path
Parking Area
Septic Drain Field
Frequently Asked Questions
📥 Download Gravel Size Chart PDF
Use your browser’s print function to instantly save this page as a PDF — a printable contractor reference with gravel size tables, stone number guide, drainage recommendations, driveway selection chart, and visual particle-size comparison.
