Pea Gravel Calculator
Cubic yards, tons or bags of pea gravel for patios, paths, play areas and planted borders.
Quick estimating rule of thumb
For pea gravel: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. It is round and about 1.35 tons per yard, so it does not lock like crushed stone. Two to 3 inches over fabric is typical for paths. Add 10%; round stone migrates at the edges.
This pea gravel calculator converts an area and depth into the cubic yards, tons or bags of pea gravel you need for a loose-stone patio, a garden path, a playground surface, or dressing planted beds.
Pea gravel is small (about 3/8 inch), rounded and does not compact, so depth and edging matter more than with angular stone. Bagged pea gravel is usually 0.5 cubic feet per bag.
How deep should pea gravel be?
Two inches over landscape fabric for a path or patio you walk on, three inches for a play area, and one to two inches when using it as a decorative mulch. Because the stones are round and never lock together, a deeper layer just feels loose and pushes underfoot. Two inches on a firm base walks better than 4 inches of loose stone.
One cubic yard covers about 160 square feet at 2 inches deep.
Edging is not optional
Rounded pea gravel migrates. Without a hard edge (steel, aluminium, pavers or a trench), it travels into the lawn and onto paths. Set edging proud of the surrounding grade and keep the gravel about half an inch below the top of the edge.
A compacted base of decomposed granite or stone dust under the pea gravel gives a firmer, more stable walking surface than gravel straight onto fabric.
How it is sold
Landscape yards sell pea gravel by the ton or cubic yard; a cubic yard weighs about 1.35 tons. Bags suit small top-ups but get expensive past 15 or so. Order about 10% extra for spreading loss and settling into the base.
Common pea-gravel mistakes
No edging. Rounded stones migrate. Steel, aluminium or paver edging on every border is not optional.
Too deep. More than 2 inches over a firm base feels loose and pushes underfoot; depth does not add stability.
Straight onto soil. A 2-inch compacted layer of decomposed granite or stone dust underneath makes a far firmer walking surface.
Using it on a slope. Pea gravel slides; on any real grade choose an angular stone that locks.
| Material | lb / ft³ | tons / yd³ | Sold by | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel (3/8″, rounded) | 100–105 | 1.35 | ton or yd³ | Paths, patios, dog runs, drainage |
| #57 crushed stone (3/4″, washed) | 100–105 | 1.35 | ton | Drainage, slab sub-base, French drains |
| 3/4″ minus / dense-grade | 105–115 | 1.45 | ton | Driveway base, paver base, road pack |
| Crushed concrete (RCA) | 100–110 | 1.35 | ton | Driveway base, structural fill (cheaper) |
| River rock (1–3″) | 95–105 | 1.40 | ton or yd³ | Dry creek beds, borders, xeriscape |
| Decomposed granite | 110–120 | 1.50 | ton | Paths, patios, natural-look driveways |
| Road base / Class 5 | 110–120 | 1.50 | ton | Compacted base under pavers, slabs, drives |
Background reading: how much a yard of gravel weighs, gravel cost per ton and per yard and how deep should gravel be.
Frequently asked questions
How much pea gravel do I need?
Multiply area by depth (2 inches for a path) and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10 ft × 12 ft patio at 2 inches needs about 0.74 cubic yards, roughly one ton.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of 0.5 cubic foot each.
How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?
About 2 inches over a firm, compacted base. Deeper than that feels loose and shifts underfoot.
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 1.35 tons (2,700 lb).
Does pea gravel need edging?
Yes. The rounded stones migrate without a hard edge: steel, aluminium, pavers or a cut trench along every border.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
About 120 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 80 square feet at 3 inches.
Can you walk on pea gravel?
Yes, and it makes a comfortable loose-surface patio, but it is harder for high heels, wheelchairs and strollers than a compacted or paved surface.
What goes under pea gravel?
Landscape fabric at minimum; a 2-inch compacted layer of decomposed granite or stone dust for a firmer walking surface.
How much pea gravel for a fire pit area?
A 10-foot-diameter circle at 2 inches deep is about 0.5 cubic yards, or 0.7 tons. Keep gravel, not mulch, within a few feet of the fire.
Is pea gravel good for a patio?
It makes a comfortable, well-draining loose patio, but it is harder for chair legs, strollers and heels than a paved surface. A firm compacted base helps a lot.
How deep should pea gravel be over fabric?
About 2 inches for a path or patio, 3 inches for a play area. A compacted sub-base is better than fabric alone.
Does pea gravel wash away in rain?
On flat ground with edging it stays put. On any slope or in a drainage path it moves. Use angular stone there.
How many bags of pea gravel equal a yard?
About 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Bags only make sense for small top-ups; bulk is far cheaper past ~15 bags.