Pea Gravel Calculator
How much pea gravel for a patio, path, play area or fire pit – in tons, cubic yards and 0.5 cu ft bags, with cost.
- Yards, tons, bags & cost
- US & metric units
- Free, no sign-up
Add a price for a cost estimate
How this was calculated
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Pea gravel is the small, smooth, rounded stone (about 3/8″) used for patios, garden paths, play areas, dog runs and around fire pits. Because the stones are round they do not lock together, so getting the depth right matters more than with crushed stone. This calculator gives you tons, cubic yards and the number of bags for any area, plus the cost once you add a price.
How to use the pea gravel calculator
- Measure the area
Enter length and width in feet, or diameter for a round fire-pit area. Irregular patios can be split into rectangles and added with “Add another area”.
- Choose a depth
Use 2″ for a decorative layer over landscape fabric, 2–3″ for a patio or path you walk on, and 3–4″ for play areas and dog runs where the gravel gets kicked around. Never go thinner than 1.5″ or the fabric or soil will show.
- Select the pea gravel size
Standard 3/8″ is the default. Pick 1/4″ if you are buying fine pea gravel (it is slightly denser) or 1/2″ for the coarser grade.
- Read tons, yards and bags
Pea gravel is sold in 0.5 cubic foot bags at home centers and by the ton or cubic yard in bulk. The calculator shows all three so you can compare. Add your supplier’s price for the total cost.
Pea gravel formula
Cubic feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 · Tons = cubic yards × 1.3 · 0.5 cu ft bags = cubic feet × 2
Example: 12 × 12 pea gravel patio, 3 inches deep
- Area = 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
- Volume = 144 × 3 ÷ 12 = 36 ft³ = 1.33 yd³
- Weight = 1.33 × 1.3 = 1.73 tons (about 3,460 lb)
- In bags: 36 × 2 = 72 bags of 0.5 cu ft – add 5% → 76 bags
How much pea gravel do I need? Quick reference
| Area | 2″ deep | 3″ deep | 4″ deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 (100 sq ft) | 0.62 yd³ · 0.8 tons · 34 bags | 0.93 yd³ · 1.2 tons · 50 bags | 1.23 yd³ · 1.6 tons · 67 bags |
| 12 × 12 (144 sq ft) | 0.89 yd³ · 1.15 tons · 48 bags | 1.33 yd³ · 1.7 tons · 72 bags | 1.78 yd³ · 2.3 tons · 96 bags |
| 10 × 20 (200 sq ft) | 1.23 yd³ · 1.6 tons · 67 bags | 1.85 yd³ · 2.4 tons · 100 bags | 2.47 yd³ · 3.2 tons · 134 bags |
| 20 × 20 (400 sq ft) | 2.47 yd³ · 3.2 tons · 134 bags | 3.70 yd³ · 4.8 tons · 200 bags | 4.94 yd³ · 6.4 tons · 267 bags |
| Fire pit ring, 10 ft diameter (79 sq ft) | 0.48 yd³ · 0.6 tons · 27 bags | 0.73 yd³ · 0.9 tons · 40 bags | 0.97 yd³ · 1.3 tons · 53 bags |
Bags are 0.5 cu ft. Figures exclude the waste allowance – add about 5%.
Coverage: square feet per ton of pea gravel
| Material | Density | Tons per yd³ | sq ft per ton at 1.5" | sq ft per ton at 2" | sq ft per ton at 3" | sq ft per ton at 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel, 3/8" (standard) | 96 lb/ft³ | 1.30 | 167 | 125 | 83 | 63 |
| Pea gravel, 1/4" (fine) | 100 lb/ft³ | 1.35 | 160 | 120 | 80 | 60 |
| Pea gravel, 1/2" (coarse) | 95 lb/ft³ | 1.28 | 168 | 126 | 84 | 63 |
| Pea gravel, wet | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 | 145 | 109 | 73 | 55 |
Coverage = 2,000 lb ÷ (density × depth in feet). Figures are for loose material; add 5–10% for waste and up to 20% for compacted base layers.
Tips for a pea gravel patio or path that stays put
- Edge it. Round stones migrate. Steel, aluminium, stone or timber edging set slightly above the gravel keeps it where you put it.
- Use a base for patios. A pea gravel patio on bare soil goes soft and muddy. Lay 2–3″ of compacted crusher run first (use the crushed stone calculator), then 2″ of pea gravel on top.
- Fabric under decorative areas. Landscape fabric stops weeds and stops the gravel disappearing into the soil, so 2″ is plenty.
- Keep it off slopes. Anything steeper than a gentle grade and pea gravel washes downhill – use angular crushed stone instead.
- Think about feet. Pea gravel is comfortable to walk on barefoot and kind to dogs’ paws, but furniture legs sink into it. Use a paver or flagstone under table and chair legs.
Pea gravel cost
Bulk pea gravel is typically $30–$60 per ton at the yard, with delivery on top; coloured or washed decorative pea gravel costs more. A 0.5 cu ft bag is usually $4–$8, which works out to several hundred dollars per ton – fine for a small path, expensive for a patio. Our rule of thumb: under about 20 bags, buy bags; over that, price up a bulk delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of dry pea gravel weighs about 2,600 lb (1.3 US tons). Wet pea gravel can weigh closer to 3,000 lb per yard.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft. If you need more than about half a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
How much pea gravel do I need for a 12×12 patio?
At 3 inches deep, a 12 ft × 12 ft patio needs 1.33 cubic yards, about 1.7 tons, or 72 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Add 5% for waste.
How much pea gravel do I need for a 10×10 area?
At 2 inches deep: 0.62 cubic yards (0.8 tons, 34 bags). At 3 inches: 0.93 cubic yards (1.2 tons, 50 bags).
How deep should pea gravel be?
2 inches over landscape fabric for decorative beds, 2–3 inches for paths and patios, 3–4 inches for play areas and dog runs. Deeper than 4″ and it becomes hard to walk on.
How many square feet does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, a ton covers about 125 sq ft; at 3 inches about 83 sq ft; at 4 inches about 62 sq ft.
