Pea Gravel Calculator
Planning a pea gravel patio, path or play area? Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards, tons and bag counts — plus a cost estimate.
Results
How the pea gravel calculator works
Pea gravel is sold by the cubic yard, the ton, or in 50 lb bags. The calculator converts your area and depth into volume, then uses pea gravel's density — about 96 lb per cubic foot (1.3 tons per cubic yard) — to give you every unit your supplier might quote.
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = cubic yards, then × 1.3 = tons
| Amount | Weight | Coverage at 2" |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | ≈ 2,600 lb | ≈ 160 sq ft |
| 1 ton | 2,000 lb | ≈ 125 sq ft |
| 50 lb bag | 50 lb | ≈ 3 sq ft |
Pea gravel depth guide
- Walkways and patios: 2" over compacted base or landscape fabric. Deeper than 2½" gets hard to walk on — feet sink in.
- Playgrounds: 9–12" for fall protection (safety standards assume loose depth, so don't skimp).
- Drainage around foundations and in French drains: depth per your drain design; pea gravel's rounded shape keeps water moving.
- Plant beds and around stepping stones: 1–2" is enough for cover.
Because pea gravel migrates, edging (steel, aluminum or stone) is what separates a crisp path from gravel spread across the lawn a year later. For patios, a stabilizing grid keeps furniture from sinking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 2,600 lb, or 1.3 US tons. Damp pea gravel can run closer to 2,800 lb per cubic yard.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At a 2-inch depth, one ton covers roughly 125 square feet. At 3 inches it covers about 85 sq ft.
How many bags of pea gravel do I need?
A 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot and covers roughly 3 sq ft at 2" deep. For anything over ~50 sq ft, bulk delivery is usually much cheaper than bags.
How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?
Two inches over a compacted base is ideal. Any deeper and chair legs and feet sink; any shallower and the fabric or base shows through in high-traffic spots.