Stone & Aggregate Reference Card
Eight common stone types on one printable page. Density, clean vs. fines, depth recommendations, and what each type is actually best for. Take it to the quarry so you order the right product.
What's on the Reference Card
The stone reference card covers the eight aggregate types most commonly stocked at landscape supply yards and quarries across North America. For each stone, the card shows density (in lb/cu ft and tons/cu yd), whether it has fines or is clean-washed, the recommended depth range, and the projects it works best for. The goal is to eliminate the most expensive mistake in stone ordering: buying the wrong type.
The 8 Stone Types at a Glance
| Stone Type | Density | Clean / Fines | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Limestone (#57) | 95 lb/ft³ · 1.28 t/yd³ | Clean, angular | Driveway surface, paver base, drainage |
| Fieldstone | 105 lb/ft³ · 1.42 t/yd³ | Clean, irregular | Dry-stack walls, landscape borders, decorative accents |
| Drainage Stone | 100 lb/ft³ · 1.35 t/yd³ | Clean, angular | French drains, trenches, downspout dry wells |
| Decorative Crushed Stone | 95 lb/ft³ · 1.28 t/yd³ | Clean, decorative | Decorative beds, rock mulch, borders |
| Crusher Run (#411 / DGA) | 125 lb/ft³ · 1.69 t/yd³ | With fines | Compacted bases, shed pads, driveway sub-base |
| Marble Chips | 95 lb/ft³ · 1.28 t/yd³ | Clean, decorative | Bright accents, rock gardens, container topdressing |
| Lava Rock | 52 lb/ft³ · 0.70 t/yd³ | Clean, decorative | Lightweight decorative mulch, fire pits, xeriscape beds |
| Riprap | 100 lb/ft³ · 1.35 t/yd³ | Clean, large | Dry creek beds, shoreline erosion control, large drainage swales |
Why "Clean vs. Fines" Matters
The single most important distinction when buying stone is whether it contains fines (dust-sized particles) or is clean-washed. Crusher run and DGA contain fines on purpose: when compacted, the dust fills voids between stones and locks everything into a rigid base. That is exactly what you want under a shed pad or driveway sub-base. But fines are the enemy of drainage. If you fill a French drain trench with crusher run instead of clean drainage stone, the fines clog the pipe and the drain fails within a season. The reference card marks every stone type so you can match the product to the job.
Density and Why It Affects Your Order
Stone is sold by the cubic yard (volume) or by the ton (weight), and the conversion between them varies dramatically by type. Lava rock weighs only 0.70 tons per cubic yard because it is naturally porous. Crusher run weighs 1.69 tons per cubic yard because the fines pack tightly. If a quarry quotes you a price per ton and you know your volume, you need the density to convert. The reference card includes both units for every stone type so you can compare quotes from different suppliers on equal footing.
Depth Recommendations by Project
Decorative stone beds need only 2 inches for visual coverage and weed suppression. Garden paths work best at 2.5 inches of angular stone that compacts underfoot. Driveway surfaces need 4 inches minimum, and new construction should go 6 inches total with a crusher-run sub-base. Drainage applications require at least 4 inches of clean stone around the pipe, with 6–12 inches common in French drain trenches depending on the water table.
Ready to Calculate Your Order?
Once you know which stone type and depth you need, use the Stone Calculator to get exact quantities in cubic yards, tons, and bags. The calculator factors in compaction and waste so you do not end up short on delivery day.
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