Asphalt Aggregate Grit

Asphalt grit is fine crushed stone, usually 1/4 inch and smaller down to sand size. The pieces are sharp and angular because they come off a rock crusher instead of a river. That shape is why grit works so well in asphalt. It grips the tire, locks together under weight, and fills the small gaps between the bigger stones in the mix.

The name comes from the paving trade. Grit is the fine end of a hot-mix asphalt batch, and it's also what road crews spread on icy pavement for traction. You'll sometimes hear the same stuff called screenings, chips, or #10 stone, depending on the quarry. Price by the yard is close to what you'd pay for other crushed stone fines.