Crushed Stone vs Stone Dust: Size, Cost, and Which to Use
Crushed Stone runs about $20 per ton and Stone Dust about $15 per ton. Compare size, drainage, compaction, and which one to use.
Overview
Crushed stone is rock that a quarry blasted, crushed, and screened into a set size range. It costs $20 to $40 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.55 tons per cubic yard, and is the base under nearly every road, driveway, slab, and patio in the country. The important difference from "gravel" in the natural sense is shape: crushed stone is angular, so the pieces lock together, while natural river gravel is rounded and rolls. Almost everything sold as gravel at a quarry is crushed stone.
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 a firm, smooth surface ideal for leveling and base preparation.
Common Uses
Crushed Stone
- ✓ Driveways
- ✓ Road base
- ✓ Concrete mix
- ✓ Drainage
- ✓ Paver base
- ✓ Backfill
Stone Dust
- ✓ Paver base
- ✓ Walkways
- ✓ Patios
- ✓ Leveling layer
- ✓ Pathways
Pros & Cons
Crushed Stone
- + Angular pieces interlock and carry weight
- + Cheapest bulk material at $20 to $40 per ton
- + A size for every job, from dust to 4-inch rock
- + Stocked at every quarry
- + Drains (clean) or packs (minus), your choice
- − Sharp edges, hard on bare feet and tires in big sizes
- − Plain gray look
- − Easy to order the wrong size
- − Larger sizes are hard to spread by hand
Stone Dust
- + Compacts very tightly
- + Creates a smooth, level surface
- + Affordable and widely available
- + Easy to shape and grade
- − Poor drainage
- − Can become muddy if overwatered
- − Dusty when dry
- − Erodes without edging
Cost Comparison
| Measure | Crushed Stone | Stone Dust |
|---|---|---|
| Per ton | $20 – $40 | $15 – $30 |
| Per cubic yard | $25 – $55 | $20 – $40 |
Sizes & Colors
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is sold by sieve size, from stone dust and #10 screenings (under 1/4 inch) through #8 (3/8 to 1/2 inch), #57 (3/4 to 1 inch), #4 (1 to 1.5 inches), #3 (1.5 to 2.5 inches), and #1 or #2 (2.5 to 4 inches). Every size is angular with fractured faces. Color follows the quarry: gray or blue-gray limestone, gray to pink granite, dark basalt, or tan sandstone and limestone in the South.
Stone Dust
Fine crushed stone particles under 1/4 inch. Color varies by source rock and is typically gray or tan.
Published February 11, 2026
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