Gravel Types
Gravel comes in many types, each suited for different projects like driveways, walkways, landscaping, and construction. Below are the most common gravel types, with detailed guides covering uses, costs, and buying tips.
#4 Stone
Sieve size #4 in the ASTM aggregate grading means most of the stone passes a 1.5-inch screen and stays on a 3/4-inch screen. In practice you get a pile of...
#411 Gravel
#57 Gravel
The 57 comes from the ASTM C33 grading table, and the same size appears in AASHTO M43. Size #57 means most of the stone passes a 1-inch screen and stays on a...
#8 Gravel
Small crushed stone approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch in size. Good for walkways and as a top dressing for driveways. #8 gravel bridges the gap between coarse...
#89 Stone
In the ASTM C33 sieve table, #8 stone passes a 1/2-inch screen and stays on a #8 sieve (about 3/32 inch), and #9 is a step finer. #89 is a blend of the two:...
Bank Run Gravel
Bank run gravel is pit-run aggregate dug straight from a gravel bank, pit, or river terrace and sold with almost no processing. It costs $7 to $16 per ton in...
Black Shredded Mulch
Shredded hardwood mulch dyed black for a bold, modern landscape look. Rich black color makes green plants and colorful flowers stand out. Holds its color...
Bluestone
Bluestone is a dense, fine-grained natural stone commonly used in the northeastern United States. It is valued for its durability, rich blue-gray color, and...
Brown Shredded Mulch
Shredded bark and wood from trees like oak, hickory, and maple. Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. Decomposes slowly over...
Compost
Decomposed organic matter used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention. Quality compost is dark, crumbly, and...
Concrete Sand
Concrete sand is coarse, washed sand graded for mixing concrete, and it is the standard sand under pavers. It costs about $16 to $45 per ton, or $18 to $63...
Construction Gravel
Construction gravel is a broad category of mixed-size stone used for general building and site work. It typically includes a combination of crushed stone...
Crushed Limestone
Crushed limestone is quarried limestone that has been crushed and screened into standard sizes from screenings to 3-inch rock. It costs $39 to $44 per ton in...
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is rock that a quarry blasted, crushed, and screened into a set size range. It costs $21 to $48 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.55 tons per...
Crusher Run
Crusher run is crushed stone with the rock dust left in, sold as 3/4 inch minus or 1.5 inch minus. It costs $14 to $38 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.5 to 1.7...
Decomposed Granite
Decomposed granite, or DG, is granite that weathered in the ground into a mix of sand, silt, and small chips, then was dug and screened to 1/4 or 3/8 inch...
Decorative Stone
Decorative stone is crushed or rounded stone sold for its color, to cover garden beds and borders. It costs about $65 to $202 per ton, or $84 to $158 per...
Fill Dirt
Subsoil material free of organic matter, used for grading, filling, and raising elevation. Fill dirt is a lower-grade soil that lacks the nutrients of...
Fill Sand
Fill sand is unwashed sand dug from a pit and sold with little or no processing, for raising grade and backfilling. It is the cheapest sand a yard sells:...
Jersey Shore Gravel
Jersey Shore gravel is a naturally rounded, multicolored stone originating from river deposits in the northeastern United States. Its smooth texture and...
Lava Rock
Lava rock is a lightweight, porous volcanic stone commonly used in landscaping. Its rough texture helps retain moisture while allowing airflow to plant roots.
Marble Chips
Marble chips are decorative, angular stones made from crushed marble. Their bright white color reflects heat and adds contrast in landscape designs.
Mason Sand
Mason sand is fine, washed and screened sand made for mortar, and it is the sand most yards sell for sandboxes and play areas. It costs about $23 to $52 per...
Mexican Beach Pebble
Mexican beach pebbles are smooth, naturally tumbled stones commonly used in modern and decorative landscaping. They are prized for their uniform shape, rich...
Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is small, naturally rounded stone screened to 1/4 to 3/8 inch and washed clean. It costs $36 to $62 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.3 to 1.45 tons per...
Recycled Asphalt
Recycled asphalt is made from reclaimed asphalt pavement that has been crushed and screened. When compacted, it hardens over time as residual asphalt binder...
Rip Rap
Large, heavy, angular stones ranging from 6 to 24+ inches used primarily for erosion control. Rip rap protects shorelines, stream banks, bridge abutments,...
River Rock
River rock is naturally rounded stone from river beds and glacial gravel deposits, washed and screened into size bands from 3/4 inch to 8 inches. It costs...
Stone Dust
Stone dust is a finely crushed aggregate made up of stone particles smaller than 1/4 inch. It compacts tightly when installed and lightly moistened, creating...
Topsoil
Nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for establishing lawns, gardens, and planting beds. Quality topsoil is dark, crumbly, and full of organic matter...
Washed Gravel
Washed gravel consists of crushed or rounded stone that has been mechanically washed to remove all fines and dust. Without fines, the stones do not compact,...