#4 Stone (Crushed Granite Ballast)
#4 Stone (Crushed Granite Ballast)
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Product Description
Product Description
#4 Stone (Crushed Granite Ballast) — Large Clean Stone for Heavy Drainage & Deep Backfill
#4 Stone is the bigger-cousin spec stone — 1½" top size, clean of fines, angular crushed granite. The size drainage engineers reach for when #57 isn't big enough: deep foundation backfill, large culvert bedding, rail-grade ballast, and the transition layer between rip rap and finer drainage stone. Meets AASHTO M43 No. 4 / ASTM D448 No. 4. If the spec says "4 stone," this is it.
Weight: One cubic yard of #4 Stone weighs about 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). A full 6-yard delivery is roughly 8 tons of stone.
At a glance
| Spec name | #4 Stone (AASHTO M43 / ASTM D448 size No. 4) |
| Material | Crushed granite, native to the Boston area |
| Nominal size | 1½" to ¾" (passes 2½", retained on ¾" sieve) |
| Composition | Angular crushed granite, washed, clean of fines |
| Weight | ~2,700 lbs per cubic yard (~1.35 tons) |
| Coverage | 1 yd³ covers ~80 sq ft at 4" depth (loose) |
| Also known as | 4s, AASHTO 4, ballast stone, large drainage rock, 1½" clean |
| Sold by | The cubic yard, bulk dump truck delivery |
What it's good for
- Deep drainage trenches and curtain drains where #57 isn't large enough
- Foundation backfill against waterproofing membranes
- Large culvert bedding and pipe surround
- Septic system stone where the engineer specifies #4
- Transition layer between rip rap and #57
- Heavy-duty driveway base where settlement is a concern
Gradation (AASHTO M43 / ASTM D448 — Size No. 4)
| Sieve size | % passing |
|---|---|
| 2½" (63 mm) | 100 |
| 2" (50 mm) | 90 – 100 |
| 1½" (37.5 mm) | 20 – 55 |
| 1" (25 mm) | 0 – 15 |
| ½" (12.5 mm) | 0 – 5 |
How much do I need?
For a 100 ft foundation drain trench, 2 ft wide, with 1 ft of #4 over a perforated pipe, plan on about 7.4 cubic yards. Use the material calculator at the top of the page for custom dimensions. Round up 5–10% for over-excavation and settlement.
How #4 compares to neighboring sizes
- #4 vs. #57: #4 is larger (1½" top vs. 1" top). Use #4 in deeper, heavier-flow drainage; use #57 for typical French drains and septic.
- #4 vs. rip rap: Rip rap is much larger (6"–12"+) and used for erosion armor. #4 is the transition stone between rip rap and finer drainage rock.
- Residential equivalent: Same material as our Gray Crushed Rock 1.5" — two ways to ask for the same product.
Frequently asked questions
What is #4 stone used for?
Heavy drainage, foundation backfill, large culvert bedding, septic stone where the engineer specifies it, and the transition layer between rip rap and smaller drainage rock. It is bigger than #57 and reserved for deeper, higher-flow applications.
Is #4 stone the same as 1.5" crushed?
Yes — gradationally, #4 has a 1½" mid-band with a 2½" top sieve. Our Gray Crushed Rock 1.5" is the same material under its residential name.
Can #4 stone be used as a driveway surface?
It can be used as a deep base, but the size is uncomfortable to walk and drive on as a finish. For a driveway top, use ¾" gray crushed or #57 stone on top of a compacted #610 base.
How much does a cubic yard of #4 stone weigh?
About 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, or roughly 1.35 tons.
Do you deliver #4 stone in the Boston area?
Yes — same-day and next-day bulk delivery across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable Counties. No minimum order. Delivery is $100 per truckload within 30 miles of our Dispatch Office, then $4 per mile beyond; your exact price shows in the breakdown.
Same-day and next-day bulk delivery, no minimum order. We deliver #4 stone across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Essex, Bristol, and Barnstable County.
Pair with our #57 Stone as a transition layer down to finer drainage rock, or step up to Rip Rap 6"–12" for erosion armor and high-energy stream banks.
Order today — the large-spec stone engineers call out for deep drainage and heavy backfill.
Detailed Specs & Gradation
Detailed Specs & Gradation
Spec identity
| Standard | AASHTO M43 / ASTM D448 — Size No. 4 |
| Material | Crushed granite, native to the Boston area |
| Nominal size | 1½" to ¾" (passes 2½", retained on ¾") |
| Weight | ~2,700 lbs/yd³ (~1.35 tons) |
Gradation
Sized to nominal AASHTO M43 / ASTM D448 Size No. 4. See the ASTM standard for authoritative percent-passing tolerances.
Delivery Info
Delivery Info
- Same-day & next-day delivery available — weekends fill fast, order early.
- Curbside or on-property drop — let us know at checkout.
- Up to 6 yds per load for dense materials (gravel, soil, rock, sand) — mulch loads carry up to 10 yds. Delivery is $100 per load within 30 miles of our Dispatch Office, plus $4 per mile beyond. No minimum order.
- Job site delivery available
- Questions? Call (617) 645-0987 or see full delivery info →
Natural material notice —Quarried and screened materials vary in size, color, texture, and cleanliness from load to load and from the photos shown; material described as washed is rinsed at the quarry but is not dust-free. This variation is normal and is not a defect, and we do not warranty or guarantee exact size, color, or cleanliness. Questions before you order? Contact us.