The Ultimate Guide to Gravel Sizes

So much can depend on what gravel you choose for your home. Be it a new driveway, walkway, drainage system, or landscaping, picking a gravel size can make or break your hard work. If you’re in the initial stages of researching your options, you may be surprised to find that there are tons of gravel sizes that make it challenging to know which is right. In this guide, we’ll break down the common gravel sizes and purposes to help you decide which size fits your project. 

What Is the Standard Gravel Size?

Depending on the project, there are several standard gravel sizes for landscaping. #3 is the standard gravel size used as a base layer for driveways, decks, pathways, and more. Gravel pieces with this grading have average diameters between 1/2 and 2 inches. #57 is another common gravel size for middle layers and combines gravel sizes of around 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

Gravel Size by Grade

Gravel classifications come in the form of a numerical grading system. The larger the number, the smaller the gravel size, and vice versa. Below is a breakdown of gravel size by grade.

#1 Gravel 

This gravel is the largest size, with stones ranging from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Large gravel requires the least maintenance and lasts the longest, but gravel this size is too large for most residential applications. You’re most likely to use #1-grade gravel for:

• Drainage solutions 

• Erosion control strategies 

#3 Gravel 

Falling between 1/2 to 2 inches on average is #3 gravel. This gravel grade is a staple in the construction world, serving as the base layer to many hardscape projects. Since it’s still fairly large in size, you won’t be as likely to use #3 gravel for walkways or landscaping, but you might find yourself using it for applications like: 

• Driveways

• Base layers for various projects

• Erosion control

• Railroad construction

#4 Gravel 

Gravel #4 has a mixture of gravel sizes ranging from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches. The smaller size makes it suitable for both drainage control and landscape design. Here are a few ways that you can use this gravel size:

• Driveways

• Erosion control

• Patios

• Walkways

#5 Gravel 

Gravel #5 includes stones ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch. Because there's only half an inch variation in #5 gravel, this gravel size is more uniform than many of the other options, which makes it aesthetically pleasing. You might use #5 gravel for:

• Concrete mix

• Driveways

• Walkways

#8 Gravel 

As one of the smallest gravel sizes, #8 gravel ranges from 3/8 to 1/2 an inch. The small size makes #8 gravel suitable for more projects that require more compaction. You can use this size for any of the following: 

• Backfill 

• Decorative landscaping

• French drains

• Piping 

#10 Gravel

Also called stone dust, #10 gravel is less than 3/8 inches, with particles closer to coarse sand rather than gravel. This fine gravel is perfect for pathways and top layers of pavers, but not so much for wet, sloped areas, driveways, or anything with heavy traffic due to the fine particles. Consider using #10 gravel for any of these applications:

• Concrete blocks

• Microsurfaces 

• Paver installation

• Pipe bedding

• Riding arenas

• Trails 

• Tennis courts

• Walkways

Specialty Sizes

In addition to your standard gravel sizes, there are also many specialty sizes on the market. Here are some honorary mentions worth considering if you’re looking for a different-sized gravel for your project:

#57 Gravel

Named after sizes ranging from 1/2 to 3/4 (0.5 to 0.75) inches, #57 gravel most commonly serves as the middle layer for driveways, patios, concrete pads, pavers, and more. Gravel with this diameter size is stable and drain-efficient, which is why it's used as both a supportive and permeable material. Here are a handful of places you can use #57 gravel:

• Concrete mix

• Concrete pads

• Drainage systems

• Driveways

• Landscaping

• Retaining wall backfill 

#89 Gravel

Significantly smaller than most other gravel sizes, #89 gravel is around 3/8 inches. This aggregate, also called pea gravel, serves as an ideal choice for compact projects, including:

• Concrete mix

• Driveway top layer

• Paths and walkways

• Pipe coverage

• Retaining wall backfill

#411 Gravel

It might not be the most attractive-looking gravel option, but #411 gravel has its purpose. This gravel contains a combination of #57 and #10 crushed limestone, meaning you have a medium-sized gravel and dust mixture. The unique blend makes #411 best as a solid base for projects like:

• Artificial turf

• Concrete base 

• Driveways 

• Masonry base

• Parking spots

• Paver patios 

• Paver walkways

• Retaining wall backfill

How to Calculate Gravel Size

The best way to calculate gravel sizes is to base them on the project type. For example, many landscaping projects use larger gravel sizes for the base, medium-sized gravel sizes for the middle, and finer gravel sizes for the top layer.

If you're hiring a landscaper, they will use standard gravel sizes for the project, but if you’re DIYing your project, it's important to consider the type of project and the correct order for installing gravel by size. 

Things to Consider Before Choosing Gravel Size

Gravel isn’t a one-size-fits-all, which can make it challenging to know exactly which gravel size you need. Here are some important factors to keep in mind when choosing the best gravel size for the job.

Project Type

Again, the type of project greatly impacts which gravel sizes you'll need. A simple walkway may need smaller gravel, whereas a French drain needs larger gravel for effective drainage. Other projects require multiple layers of gravel, each in a different size. If you’re planning on a big project like a gravel driveway and don’t know how to make a gravel driveway already, it might be beneficial to work with a pro to avoid common mistakes when working with gravel foundations.

Order of Installation

Even within a specific project, a variety of gravel sizes may be needed to complete it. As a general rule of thumb, larger gravel goes at the base of a foundation, followed by smaller gravel. However, knowing the specific details of your project really determines the order for installing different types of gravel.

Cost

Some types of gravel cost more than others, so it's important to know gravel prices before you set your mind on a particular gravel type. Gravel costs range from $0.40 per square foot to $11 per square foot on average. Crusher run costs the least and consists of different-sized gravel, lava rock costs the most and is highly absorbent, while pea gravel falls in the middle and is a small, popular gravel material for driveways, garden beds, and patios.

Type of Stone

Gravel and crushed stone are both used somewhat interchangeably, but there are differences. Gravel is the natural size and shape that a stone comes in, while crushed stone is stone that has been crushed down to specific sizes.

If you’re looking for a beautiful material for landscaping, gravel or natural stone is your best choice. If you’re looking for a functional material for construction, crushed stone is best because its purpose is usually to provide support or drainage for projects. 

Aesthetics

If you're installing gravel in your yard to enhance your landscaping, then sizing might depend on your personal preferences rather than any practical application. For instance, larger gravel for xeriscaping can increase drainage and prevent shifting while creating more dimension in your yard. Smaller gravel sizes, on the other hand, can help your garden features, like plants, boulders, rocks, and fountains, stand out.

What to Do if You Have the Wrong Size Gravel

The wrong-sized gravel for something major—like a gravel driveway or concrete foundation—can mean risking of surface shifting, structural damage, and even having to redo the project entirely. You may end up spending more on replacing the gravel and project delays. This can add up if you laid the wrong gravel size for a gravel driveway, which costs anywhere from $500 to $3,500 on average.

Sometimes, however, you can work with the wrong-sized gravel by mixing it with smaller or larger gravel. Speak with a local gravel delivery pro to see what options are available.