#357 Stone: Size, Uses, Weight and How Many Tons

#357 stone is one of the largest graded blends on the ASTM size chart. It runs from about 2 inches down to roughly 3/16 inch (the No. 4 sieve), so a load holds fist-sized pieces along with everything in between. Because the smaller stone fills part of the space between the big pieces, it sits tighter than a single size such as #3, yet it still has very little dust or sand. Contractors use it mostly for thick concrete, heavy subbase and stabilization layers. A loose cubic yard weighs about 1.35 to 1.5 tons. Below we cover what the number means, how #357 compares with #3, #467 and #57, where it belongs, and how to figure the tons for your job.

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What the “357” in #357 stone means

The size names come from ASTM D448, with AASHTO M 43 as the matching highway standard. A single number, like #3 or #5, describes one narrow band of stone. A multi-digit number is a blend that stretches across several of those bands. Size No. 357 has a nominal range of 2 inches (50 mm) down to No. 4 (4.75 mm). The standard limits how much of a sample, by weight, may pass each screen:

Screen opening	Share passing, by weight (size No. 357)
2 1/2 inch	100%
2 inch	95 to 100%
1 inch	35 to 70%
1/2 inch	10 to 30%
No. 4 (about 3/16 inch)	0 to 5%

Read it this way: nothing is larger than 2 1/2 inches, nearly all of it passes 2 inches, a third to two thirds is under 1 inch, and only a trace is sand-sized. It counts as a clean stone, but it is well spread across its range.

Quarries and yards do not always use the number. You may see it sold as “#357s,” “2-inch clean,” “2-inch minus washed” or under a state DOT code. Those names are not standard, and “2-inch minus” in particular often means a dense mix with fines. If your plans call for size No. 357, ask for a gradation sheet and check it against the table above.

#357 stone vs #3, #467 and #57

On the ASTM chart a higher single number means smaller stone, and a multi-digit number means a blend. This is where #357 fits:

Size	Nominal range	Typical uses
#3	2 in to 1 in	Stabilization, construction entrances, open-graded base
#357	2 in to No. 4	Mass concrete, heavy subbase, stabilization layers
#467	1 1/2 in to No. 4	Concrete, clean stone under slabs, drainage layers
#57	1 in to No. 4	Drainage, concrete, pipe bedding, driveway surfacing

#357 vs #3. They share a top size of about 2 inches. #3 stops at 1 inch, so it is all big pieces with large voids. #357 carries on down to about 3/16 inch, so it locks together more, spreads more evenly and leaves a less open surface, while still letting water through.

#357 vs #467. These are neighbors. Both bottom out at No. 4, but #467 tops out around 1 1/2 inches. #467 is the more common pick for building concrete and under-slab stone; #357 shows up where an engineer wants a larger top size, such as thick footings or massive pours.

#357 vs #57. #57 is much smaller, topping out near 1 inch. It is easy to rake by hand and is stocked almost everywhere, so it is the usual homeowner choice for drainage and small slabs. #357 is a contractor material for bigger, thicker work.

Where #357 stone is used

Mass and heavy concrete. Thick foundations, large footings, retaining structures and other big pours can use a larger coarse aggregate to cut the amount of cement paste needed. The mix design sets the size; buyers rarely choose it on their own.
Heavy subbase and stabilization. On soft or wet ground, a thick layer of large graded stone can bridge the weak soil before finer base goes on top. Follow the plan detail for depth and for any fabric or geogrid.
Construction entrances and staging pads. Big clean stone helps keep trucks out of the mud. Many erosion-control specs name a size for this, sometimes larger than #357, so check yours.
Drainage blankets. With almost no fines it passes water freely, which suits wide drainage layers under heavy fill. For trench work around a home, smaller stone is easier to handle; see our French drain gravel guide.

Where #357 stone is the wrong choice

It is not a surface stone. The 2-inch pieces roll under tires and feet, it has no fines to bind it, and it is hard on mower blades and shovels. For a driveway, put down a dense base such as crusher run and top it with a smaller stone; our driveway gravel sizes by layer chart shows a typical build. It is also too coarse for pipe bedding around small drain lines, paver bases and walkways.

How much a yard of #357 stone weighs

The wide spread of sizes lets some smaller stone settle into the gaps, so #357 tends to weigh a bit more per yard than a single size like #3. For crushed limestone or granite, plan on about 1.35 to 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard, roughly 2,700 to 3,000 pounds. We use 1.4 tons per yard below; swap in your quarry’s figure if it gives one. Wet stone and heavier rock types such as trap rock come in higher. Our crushed stone weight chart lists other materials.

How deep to place #357 stone

Stabilization layer on soft ground: often 8 to 12 inches or more, set by the design.
Construction entrance: commonly 6 inches or more, per the local erosion-control detail.
Heavy subbase: whatever the engineer specifies, usually placed and compacted in lifts.

Treat these as starting points only. A plan sheet, permit condition or engineer’s detail always governs.

How many tons of #357 stone to order

Measure length and width in feet and depth in inches, then:

Cubic yards = length × width × depth in inches ÷ 324
Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4
Square feet covered per ton ≈ 230 ÷ depth in inches

Add roughly 10 percent for settling into the subgrade, uneven ground and waste. Soft ground can swallow more than that.

Depth	Approx. area per ton	Tons per 100 sq ft
6 inches	about 38 sq ft	about 2.6
8 inches	about 29 sq ft	about 3.5
10 inches	about 23 sq ft	about 4.3
12 inches	about 19 sq ft	about 5.2

Example: a 6-inch layer under a 30 by 40 foot pole barn floor. 30 × 40 × 6 ÷ 324 = about 22.2 cubic yards. 22.2 × 1.4 = about 31 tons. With 10 percent added, plan on about 34 tons.

Example: a 12-inch stabilization pad for a 20 by 60 foot equipment yard. 20 × 60 × 12 ÷ 324 = about 44.4 cubic yards, or about 62 tons. With 10 percent added, figure about 68 tons. That is several truckloads, so read our guide to tons of gravel in a dump truck before booking delivery.

Tips for placing #357 stone

Have the truck spread it in rows or tailgate it in a thin layer. Two-inch stone is slow, heavy work by hand.
Lay non-woven geotextile over soft or silty soil first when the plans call for it, so the stone does not sink and the soil does not pump up into it.
Place it in lifts and run a roller or heavy plate compactor over each one where compaction is required.
Keep it clean during the job. Mud tracked in fills the voids and cuts drainage.

Buying tips

Order by number. “Size No. 357 per ASTM D448” leaves less room for error than “2-inch stone.”
Ask whether it is washed. Washed stone carries less dust and drains better.
Confirm stock early. Plenty of yards carry #57 and #3 but not #357. If the spec names it, ask the designer before switching to another size.
Group deliveries. Big jobs mean several loads; ask about pricing by the truckload and any short-load fee on the last one.

Questions people ask

What size is #357 stone?

ASTM size No. 357 runs from 2 inches down to the No. 4 sieve, about 3/16 inch. All of it passes a 2 1/2-inch screen, 95 to 100 percent passes 2 inches, and no more than 5 percent passes No. 4.

What is the difference between #357 and #3 stone?

Both top out near 2 inches. #3 stops at 1 inch, so it is all large stone. #357 continues down to about 3/16 inch, so it packs tighter while still draining well.

What is #357 stone used for?

Mainly mass or heavy concrete, thick subbase and stabilization layers on soft ground, construction entrances and drainage blankets. A plan or DOT spec usually calls for it.

How much does a yard of #357 stone weigh?

About 1.35 to 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard, roughly 2,700 to 3,000 pounds. Use 1.4 tons per yard for planning unless your supplier gives a figure.

Can I use #357 stone for a driveway?

Only as a lower layer on soft ground. It has no fines and large pieces, so it stays loose on top. Cap it with a dense base such as crusher run and a smaller surface stone.

Is #357 stone the same as 2-inch minus?

Not usually. 2-inch minus often means a dense mix with fines, while #357 is a clean graded stone with almost no fines. Ask the yard for a gradation sheet.

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