Gravel, Crushed Stone or Pea Gravel: Which to Use
Crushed stone locks together and suits bases and driveways. Pea gravel is round and comfortable underfoot, and suits paths and decoration. Which one you want depends on whether the surface needs to hold firm or just look and feel good.
The short comparison
| Crushed stone | Pea gravel | General gravel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Angular, sharp edges | Small, smooth, rounded | Mixed, often rounded |
| Locks together | Yes, when compacted | No, stones roll | Partly |
| Drains | Well | Well | Well |
| Good for | Bases under pavers, patios, driveways, drainage trenches | Paths, patios, borders, dog runs, decorative beds | Fill, paths, general ground cover |
| Less suited to | Barefoot surfaces | Driveways and slopes, because it shifts | Loads that need a firm base |
| Starting weight in the calculators | 1.4 tons per cubic yard | 1.35 tons per cubic yard | 1.4 tons per cubic yard |
Weights are typical figures and change with moisture and the exact material. Ask your supplier for theirs.
Crushed stone
Crushed stone is rock broken into angular pieces. The sharp faces lock together under compaction, so a layer of it turns into a firm base that still lets water through. That makes it the usual choice beneath pavers and patios, and for driveways and drainage trenches.
It comes in grades. #57 stone is clean, with very few fine particles, so water drains straight through. A grade with fines, often called three-quarters minus, packs down tighter. Ask your supplier which grade suits your job.
Pea gravel
Pea gravel is small, smooth, rounded stone. It is comfortable to walk on and comes in natural colors, so it is popular for paths, patios and garden beds. Because the stones are round, they do not lock, so it tends to spread and shift, especially under vehicles or on a slope. A firm edge and a layer of about 2 to 3 inches help. It often goes over a thin base of crushed stone with landscape fabric between.
General gravel
The word gravel is used loosely. Suppliers may sell a mix of sizes and shapes under that name, from rounded river stone to crushed material. When you order, ask what the product actually is, and what it is recommended for.
How to choose
- Will it carry weight? A driveway or the base under pavers needs stone that locks, so crushed stone.
- Will people walk on it barefoot or sit near it? Smooth pea gravel is gentler.
- Is the ground sloped? Round stones migrate downhill, so angular stone holds better.
- Does it need to drain? Clean stones with few fines drain best.
- What does your supplier recommend for your area? Local conditions and local stone matter.
Working out how much
The quantity calculation is the same for all of them: area times depth, converted to cubic yards, then multiplied by the weight per yard. Use the crushed stone calculator, the pea gravel calculator or the general gravel calculator. They differ in the depth and weight they start with.
Related
- Gravel calculator
- Pea gravel calculator
- Crushed stone calculator
- How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Questions
Is crushed stone cheaper than pea gravel?
Prices vary by region and supplier, and neither is reliably cheaper. Get quotes for the specific product, delivery included, and compare them per cubic yard or per ton on the same basis.
Can I mix pea gravel and crushed stone?
Layering is common: pea gravel on top of a crushed stone base. Mixing them together is usually not recommended, because the round stones stop the angular ones from locking together.
Which drains better?
Clean stone with few fine particles drains well, whether it is crushed or rounded. Stone with a lot of fines packs tighter and drains more slowly. Ask your supplier about the specific grade.