#57 Gravel vs #8 Gravel

#57 Gravel

Crushed stone approximately 3/4 to 1 inch in size. One of the most versatile and commonly used gravel sizes in both residential and commercial construction. #57 stone is the go-to aggregate for drainage, driveways, and concrete production.

#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 aggregates and fine pea gravel, offering a balance of comfort and stability.

#57 Gravel

• ✓ Driveways
• ✓ Drainage
• ✓ Concrete mix
• ✓ Pipe bedding
• ✓ Backfill
• ✓ Parking areas

#8 Gravel

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Between pavers
• ✓ Asphalt mix
• ✓ Top dressing
• ✓ Drainage backfill

#57 Gravel

• + Extremely versatile — works for many applications
• + Excellent drainage characteristics
• + Good compaction when combined with fines
• + Widely available nationwide
• + Cost-effective

• − Too coarse for comfortable walking
• − Angular edges
• − Shifts under foot traffic without stabilization
• − Requires a finer top layer for driveways
• − Not decorative

#8 Gravel

• + Smaller size is more comfortable to walk on
• + Compacts better than larger stone
• + Good for filling gaps between pavers
• + Excellent drainage
• + Smooth driveway top-dressing

• − Can migrate without edging
• − Not as stable as larger crushed stone
• − May be tracked by shoes
• − Less commonly stocked than #57
• − Dusty when dry

#57 Gravel

#57 gravel consists of angular crushed stone pieces ranging from 3/4" to 1" in diameter. Color depends on the quarry source — typically gray, blue-gray, or brown. The stones are angular and irregular, which helps them interlock.

#8 Gravel

#8 gravel consists of angular crushed stone pieces from 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter. Like other crushed stone, color varies by source quarry — gray, blue-gray, tan, and brown are most common.