Short answer: #57 is the larger stone, roughly dime to quarter sized, and it is used where drainage and load support matter, such as driveway bases and French drains. #89 is smaller, roughly pea to small-dime sized, packs firmer underfoot and is normally the finish layer on top of something coarser.
If you’ve been quoted “#57 stone” or “#89 stone” for your driveway, drainage, or landscaping project and aren’t sure which one you need, you’re not alone. These numbers refer to standard crushed limestone gradations, essentially how large the individual pieces of stone are. Here’s what sets them apart.
What Is #57 Limestone?
#57 stone is a larger crushed limestone aggregate, roughly 3/4 inch to 1 inch in size. It has a coarse, angular texture and allows for excellent drainage because of the larger gaps between the individual stones. It’s a popular choice for driveways, French drains, drainage trenches, and as a base layer under concrete slabs or pavers.
What Is #89 Limestone?
#89 stone is a smaller crushed limestone aggregate, generally in the range of 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Its smaller, more consistent size makes it useful for applications where a finer, more compactable surface is needed, such as pipe bedding, backfill around underground utilities, walkways, and as a leveling layer under pavers.
Side-by-Side Comparison
- #57: Larger stone (about 3/4″ to 1″), better for drainage-heavy applications like French drains and driveway base
- #89: Smaller stone (about 3/8″ to 1/2″), better for compaction-heavy applications like pipe bedding and paver leveling
Which One Do You Need?
As a general rule, if your project needs water to drain through it quickly, like a French drain or a driveway base, #57 is usually the better fit. If your project needs the material to compact into a stable, even surface, like bedding for pipe or a base layer under pavers, #89 tends to work better. Some projects use both: #57 as a base layer with #89 on top for a smoother finished surface.
Every project has its own requirements, and site conditions in Southwest Florida can vary. If you’re not sure which grade fits your project, call us at (239) 295-8266 and describe what you’re working on. We’ll help you figure out what to order.
Unplugged Designs delivers both #57 and #89 limestone by the cubic yard to Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Buckingham, and Alva.