Defined by ASTM D448 as a blend of Number 5 and Number 7 size fractions.
ASTM C29 measures bulk unit weight; it does not assign one weight to all #57 products.
Void space and fines vary with the product and are separate from its size designation.
Applications depend on source stone, cleanliness, and the project specification.
What Is Number 57 Stone?
In civil construction and aggregate quarrying, Number 57 Stone (often designated simply as #57 stone or #57 gravel) is one of the most widely specified coarse aggregate sizes in North America. Contrary to popular belief, the number 57 does not refer to a 57 millimeter particle diameter. Instead, it designates a standardized grading envelope established under ASTM D448 (Standard Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction) and its highway equivalent, AASHTO M43.
The size number describes gradation, not mineral type or particle shape. Suppliers sell both crushed angular and naturally rounded products as #57 stone. Ask for the sieve gradation, source material, and fines content for the product you intend to use.
ASTM D448 and AASHTO M43 Gradation Sieve Envelope
A product sold to the ASTM D448 #57 size designation can be checked by laboratory sieve analysis under ASTM C136 (Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates). Its aggregate sample must fall within the applicable percentage-passing limits by dry weight:
| Standard Sieve Size | Metric Opening (mm) | Specification: Percent Passing by Weight | Quarry Function in Aggregate Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Inch (37.5 mm) | 37.5 mm | 100% | Maximum upper boundary; zero oversize particles allowed |
| 1.0 Inch (25.0 mm) | 25.0 mm | 95% to 100% | Primary top caliper stone; carries compressive load |
| 1/2 Inch (12.5 mm) | 12.5 mm | 25% to 60% | Intermediate aggregate fraction; bridges open void spaces |
| No. 4 Sieve (4.75 mm) | 4.75 mm | 0% to 10% | Fine stone chips; limited to preserve void conductivity |
| No. 8 Sieve (2.36 mm) | 2.36 mm | 0% to 5% | Mineral dust limit; washed to eliminate silt and clay |
Bulk Density and Quarry Weight Conversion
Some suppliers sell #57 stone by cubic yard and others by US short ton (2,000 pounds). Convert between the two using the loose bulk weight quoted for the actual product.
ASTM C29 / C29M is a method for measuring bulk unit weight, not a universal #57 density. For comparison, South Bay lists 2,500 lb/cu yd for one 3/4-inch washed drain rock, while Three Z lists about 2,800 lb/cu yd for a washed #57 gravel. The latter is rounded, so #57 does not always mean angular stone.
Cubic Yards = (Square Feet × Depth in Inches) / 324Estimated US Short Tons = Cubic Yards × Supplier lb/cu yd ÷ 2,000At 2,700 lb/cu yd: 1 Ton Covers 120 sq ft at 2" DepthAt 2,700 lb/cu yd: 1 Ton Covers 80 sq ft at 3" DepthStockpile condition matters: Moisture and gradation can change the delivered weight of a cubic yard. Confirm the yard's estimate when ordering and use the density chart as a comparison, not a substitute for the quote.
Primary Construction and Landscaping Applications
1. French Drains and Subsurface Drainage Systems
A clean, appropriately graded #57 product can be used around a perforated pipe where the project detail allows it. Check that the stone is supplied with suitably low fines; the size number alone does not guarantee it is washed or specify its void space. Use the drain rock calculator to account for top cover and pipe displacement.
2. Residential Driveway Top Dressing
Angular crushed #57 stone can be used as a surface or drainage layer in some driveways. For a compacted driving base, a specified dense-graded material with fines is often a different choice. Rounded #57 gravel behaves differently under tire loads; match the aggregate to the planned layer and site.
3. Concrete and Asphalt Coarse Aggregate
A producer may use #57-size aggregate in a concrete or asphalt mixture when the full material meets that mix's specification. The size number alone does not establish concrete strength or asphalt performance.
Number 57 Stone vs Crusher Run: The Critical Distinction
Contractors frequently confuse #57 stone with crusher run (also called dense graded aggregate or quarry process). The difference is fundamental:
- #57 Stone: A size designation. Specify a clean, low-fines version where open drainage is needed; confirm whether it is angular or rounded.
- Crusher Run: A dense-graded blend with fine particles that can compact into a base. Check the local product gradation rather than substituting it for specified drain stone.
Companion Calculators for This Project
Apply the principles and formulas from this guide directly into our calibrated volumetric estimators:
Drain Rock Calculator
Pipe & coverCalculate the clean stone in a drain trench after pipe displacement and top cover.
Launch Calculator →Crushed Stone Calculator
1.40 t/yd³Estimate #57 angular crushed limestone and blue granite for driveway surfaces.
Launch Calculator →Gravel Calculator
1.40 t/yd³Determine total tonnage and volume for driveway gravel and parking pads.
Launch Calculator →Crusher Run Calculator
1.45 t/yd³Compare clean #57 stone against dense graded base containing stone fines.
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