#89 Stone vs Rip Rap: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

#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: most of it passes a 3/8-inch screen and stays on a #16 sieve. In practice you get a clean, small, sharp stone that looks like crushed pea gravel. Some quarries sell the same product as #8, #9, or "3/8 clean."

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, and steep slopes from water erosion. The heavy weight and interlocking shape resist displacement by flowing water and wave action.

#89 Stone

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Pipe bedding
• ✓ Asphalt mix
• ✓ Dog runs
• ✓ Driveway top dressing

Rip Rap

• ✓ Shoreline protection
• ✓ Stream bank stabilization
• ✓ Bridge abutments
• ✓ Steep slope stabilization
• ✓ Culvert outlets
• ✓ Retaining wall faces

#89 Stone

• + Packs firmer than pea gravel at the same size
• + Stays put inside edging
• + Wheelbarrow and stroller friendly
• + Clean, so it drains
• + Cheap at $22 to $40 per ton

• − Plain gray look
• − Sharp edges, not for bare feet
• − Too small for a driveway surface
• − Less void space than #57 for drainage

Rip Rap

• + Extremely effective at preventing water erosion
• + Heavy weight resists displacement by water
• + Long-lasting — lasts decades with no maintenance
• + Angular shape interlocks for stability
• + Natural appearance blends with waterside environments

• − Very heavy — requires heavy equipment to place
• − Expensive for large projects
• − Not suitable for foot traffic
• − Requires engineering design for major installations
• − Limited decorative appeal

#89 Stone

#89 stone is crushed stone screened to about 3/8 inch and smaller, with most pieces between 1/8 and 3/8 inch and no dust. It is angular, a blend of the #8 and #9 sieve sizes. Color follows the quarry: gray or white limestone, gray to pink granite, or dark basalt.

Rip Rap

Large angular stones typically 6-24 inches in diameter, though some applications use stones up to 36 inches or larger. Weight ranges from 25 to 500+ pounds per stone. Colors vary by source quarry — typically gray, blue-gray, tan, or brown. Sold by the ton rather than by the yard.