Pea Gravel Calculator
Work out how much pea gravel you need for a patio, play area or path. Get cubic yards, tons, bags and an estimated cost.
- Cubic yards
- 0.97
- Tons
- 1.31
- Cubic feet
- 26.3
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$59
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
53 bags · $292
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($30–$65 per ton), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone about 1/4 to 3/8 inch across. It is comfortable underfoot, which makes it popular for patios, paths and play areas.
Because the stones are round they shift more than crushed gravel, so plan for edging and slightly deeper coverage than you would use for angular stone.
How to calculate how much pea gravel you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to get tons.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.35.
Recommended pea gravel depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Walkway or garden path | 2–3 in |
| Patio surface | 3–4 in |
| Playground area | 9–12 in |
| Dog run | 3–4 in |
How much pea gravel for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance, with tons in brackets (at 1.35 t/yd³).
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 yd³ (0.8 t) | 0.93 yd³ (1.3 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.89 yd³ (1.2 t) | 1.33 yd³ (1.8 t) | 1.78 yd³ (2.4 t) | 2.67 yd³ (3.6 t) |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 4.94 yd³ (6.7 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 5.56 yd³ (7.5 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) | 11.11 yd³ (15 t) |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ (4.2 t) | 4.63 yd³ (6.3 t) | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) | 12.35 yd³ (16.7 t) | 18.52 yd³ (25 t) |
Tips before you order
- Use steel or paver edging so the stones stay in place.
- Lay landscape fabric underneath to slow weeds.
- For play areas, safety guidelines call for at least 9 inches of loose fill.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of pea gravel make a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet each.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 2,700 pounds, or roughly 1.35 tons.
Is pea gravel cheaper by the bag or in bulk?
Bulk is almost always cheaper once you need more than about half a yard. Bags make sense for small touch-ups.