Home » Gravel Size Chart and Different Types explained with pictures

Gravel Size Chart and Different Types explained with pictures

October 13, 2022October 13, 2022 by Pablo

Gravel is a collection of loose, grey rock fragments that are naturally occurring or manufactured. You’ve probably seen these small dusty rocks in landscaping or road construction. Gravel doesn’t come in uniform sizes, and you’ll need thorough research before buying a ton of it for your project (skip straight to the Gravel Size Chart).

gravel size chart — _{Image Source: Duke City Red-Mex}

If you get the gravel size right, there isn’t a limit to the applications you can have. Gravel is useful for landscape decoration, soil erosion management, construction, and drainage. Learn what size of gravel you need from our gravel size chart below!

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Gravel Size Chart

Gravel and crushed stone size chart

Gravel number	Size in inches	Size in mm
#1	2 – 4 inches	50.0 -102 mm
#2	0.5 – 2.5 inches	13.0 – 63.5 mm
#3	0.5 – 2.0 inches	13.0 – 50.0 mm
#4	1.0 – 2.5 inches	25.0 – 63.5 mm
#5:	1.0 inch	25.0 mm
#8:	0.4 – 0.5 inches	10.0 – 13.0 mm
#10	0.1 inches	3.0 mm
#57	0.8 inches	20.0 mm
#67	less than 0.8 inches	Less than 20.0 mm

How to Choose the Right Gravel Size

Gravel sizes are based on the diameter of the stones. However, the correct size of gravel you need will depend on the application. This section will discuss the best use for the various stone grades.

#1 Gravel

This gravel size is the largest, featuring stones with a diameter of 2-4 inches (50 – 102 mm). Since they are large, it’ll be hard to shovel them, and you’ll have to place them one at a time. The common applications for this gravel grade include:

Making ballast
Filling larger holes
Reducing soil erosion
Lining ditches
As a decorative stone collection for gardens, patios, and yards

You can also use these rocks as the foundation for roads, driveways, and walkways but you’ll have to topdress them with stone dust. This is because they can be unstable to walk on because of their size and require finer gravel for added stability.

#2 Gravel

This gravel size is rare, and you won’t easily find it on the market. The rocks have a diameter of 1.5 – 2.5 inches (13 – 63.5 cm). Here are the common ways these crushed rocks are used:

Making ballast
Filling holes
Landscaping, and decoration
Septic tank filtration

#3 Gravel

Perhaps the most popular gravel size for home projects, #3 gravel has a diameter of 0.5 – 2 inches (13 – 50 mm). You can use them for:

Residential drainage projects
Making ballast
As a road base
On driveways
Filling dry wells
As a base in septic filtration systems

Using them in your driveway should also include stone screenings to ensure the ground is stable enough for movement.

#4 Gravel

This gravel is about the size of a golf ball or an egg. It measures 1 – 2.5 inches (25 – 63.5 mm) in diameter and usually comes from crushed concrete. It can be a decoration or base for walkways when topdressed with fine gravel.

#5 Gravel

This is what you need if you are looking for the ideal particle size range to fill crevices and the spaces between larger stones. The gravel measures about an inch in diameter and is ideal for driveways, walkways, and roads.

#8 Gravel

These crushed stones measure between 0.4 and 0.5 inches (10 – 13 mm). Mostly, these stones go through cleaning to eliminate dust and residue, giving them a smoother appearance. Some common applications include:

Making asphalt
Creating concrete mixes during construction
As a subbase in patios, walkways, and driveways
As decoration around vegetation
As a base in horse barns
To assist in drainage

#10 Gravel

Also known as stone dust, gravel screenings, or rock screenings, #10 gravel is a by-product of the stone-breaking process. They are compact and easy to apply, making them suitable for the following:

As a paving base in stones, bricks, and concrete
Making concrete slabs and blocks
Filling spaces between larger rocks for stability
Top-dressing driveways and sidewalks

Screenings can quickly get dirty, so you shouldn’t use them in muddy places.

#57 Gravel

This middle-range gravel size is easy to find and suitable for different functions. It measures about 0.75 inches (20 mm) and is ideal for any of the following uses:

Making asphalt
RV parking pads
Driveways
Landscaping purposes
Topdressing on a sub base
Making railroad ballast
Helping drainage
Lining underground paths for pipes and cables

#67 Gravel

This gravel size is smaller than 0.75 inches (20 mm) and is among the smallest options. You can use it for:

Making concrete blocks and slabs
As a base on roads
Improving drainage around water systems
Stabilizing larger rocks
Retaining walls

What are the Types of Gravel?

Gravel comes in different forms. Let’s look at the various types of gravel you can buy.

1. Bank Gravel

You can find this type of gravel naturally occurring in rivers and streams. It could be mixed up with the sand or natural soils on the river bank. Bank gravel is usually smooth and round and has an aesthetic look.

2. Bench Gravel

You’ll find bench gravel in locations close to valleys where streams flow by. It’ll indicate that the water levels are reducing, allowing the gravel to be visible instead of inside the stream.

3. Crushed Stone

Unlike natural gravel, crushed stone is a by-product of the quarry process and is mostly used to surface roads and driveways. Crushed stone isn’t smooth; instead, it’s edgy and coarse.

4. Fine Gravel

This is gravel with a very small diameter. It’s often used to fill the spaces between huge stones and road bases for stability.

5. Stone Dust

As crushed stone goes through screens, the smallest are mixed with fine dust particles.

6. Pay Gravel

This type of gravel comes with a high amount of precious metals like gold. Miners can extract the gold using a method called gold panning.

7. Pea Gravel

Pea gravel gets its name from its size and appearance. The gravel looks clean and about the size of a pea.

Learn more about Gravel Size Types and Sizes (video)

_{Gravel Types – Colors & Sizes by Cat in a Hammock}

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What size is #1 gravel?

#1 gravel has a diameter of 2 – 4 inches (50 – 100 mm).

2. What size gravel is best?

The answer depends on your situation. The application you want will determine the right size of gravel to use.

3. What size is #4 gravel?

#4 gravel measures about 1 – 2.5 inches in diameter (25 – 63.5 mm).

4. What size of gravel is best for a driveway?

#3 gravel is the best size for driveways since it provides a stable platform and proper drainage thanks to its medium-sized diameter.

5. What is 10mm gravel used for?

It’s great for decorative purposes in your landscape. It’s used to add interest, pave walkways, and suppress weed growth.

6. What area will 1 ton of gravel cover?

It depends on the gravel size. A ton of 0.3 – 0.5 inch gravel will approximately cover about 100 sq. ft at a depth of 2 inches.

Conclusion

Gravel can be natural or artificial and comprises small rocks with various functions. These rocks come in different sizes, and you’ll need to determine the type of application before choosing gravel. Once you know the gravel size you want for your project, you can buy as much of it without fear.

Comment any questions about this topic below, and we’ll help you with any rocky situation!

Picture in this post is by Jon Moore on Unsplash