Gravel vs Crushed Stone: What’s the Difference?

In casual use the two terms get used interchangeably, but technically "gravel" refers to naturally occurring, rounded stone (often from riverbeds), while "crushed stone" is mechanically crushed from larger rock into angular pieces.

The angular shape of crushed stone locks together better under compaction, which is why it's the standard choice for driveway base layers and structural fill — rounded gravel tends to shift and migrate under traffic instead of compacting into a stable layer.

Both are estimated the same way — area × depth, converted to tons by density — so use the Gravel Calculator for either, and the Crusher Run Calculator if that specific crushed-stone blend is what you're ordering.

Crusher run specifically includes a mix of stone sizes down to fine dust, which is what lets it compact into a dense, low-permeability base. "Clean" crushed stone (washed, single-size) drains better but won't compact nearly as tightly — the two aren't interchangeable despite both being "crushed stone."