The two most frequently ordered quarry aggregates in North America are #57 Crushed Stone and Crusher Run (also known regionally as Item #4, #411 Stone, Dense Grade Aggregate [DGA], or Quarry Process [QP]). While both are made from mechanically fractured granite, limestone, or trap rock, choosing the wrong one can ruin a French drain or leave a patio base unstable.
What Is #57 Crushed Stone? (Clean & Free-Draining)
ASTM #57 stone is screened and washed so that 95% of particles measure between 1/2 inch and 1 inch (roughly the size of a walnut), with zero stone dust or fine powder. Because there are no fines to clog the gaps between rocks, #57 stone has a ~35% void ratio.
- Bulk Density: ~2,700 lbs/yd³ (1.35 tons per cubic yard)
- Best Applications: French drains, retaining wall backfill, concrete slab capillary breaks, shed foundation pads, and driveway middle layers.
- Where NOT to Use It: Under interlocking brick pavers with a thin sand bed (fines can migrate down into the open voids of #57 stone unless separated by filter fabric).
What Is Crusher Run / Quarry Process? (Dense & Lock-Tight)
Crusher run is unwashed 3/4"-minus crushed stone blended straight from the primary crusher with stone dust and rock flour fines. When dampened and compacted with a vibratory plate tamper, the fine dust fills every microscopic void, binding the angular stones into a semi-rigid, weather-resistant crust.
- Bulk Density: ~2,970 lbs/yd³ (1.485 tons per cubic yard)
- Best Applications: Driveway base and wearing courses, paver patio sub-bases, RV parking pads, and equipment pathways.
- Where NOT to Use It: Never use crusher run in a French drain or behind a retaining wall—the stone dust compacts like clay and completely blocks water drainage!
Side-by-Side Engineering Comparison
| Property | #57 Crushed Stone | Crusher Run (DGA / #411 / QP) |
|---|---|---|
| Particle Size | 3/4" Clean (No Fines) | 3/4"-Minus with Stone Dust Fines |
| Bulk Weight per Cu Yd | ~2,700 lbs (1.35 Tons) | ~2,970 lbs (1.49 Tons) |
| Water Permeability | Extremely High (~35% Void Space) | Very Low (Sheds Water When Crowned) |
| Compaction Shrinkage | 5% – 8% Allowance | 12% – 15% Allowance |
| Dedicated Calculator | #57 Crushed Stone Calculator | Crusher Run Calculator |