How much pea gravel do I need?
Pea gravel is small, smooth stone used for paths, patios, dog runs, playground bases, and around pipes.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 0.5 cubic foot bags if you buy bagged pea gravel. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for pea gravel
This cubic yard calculator for pea gravel works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the pea gravel cost calculator.
Pea Gravel weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for pea gravel is 2,800 pounds per cubic yard, which is 1.40 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 2,800 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 1.40 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 1,270 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 0.71 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 19.29 |
| 0.5 cubic foot bags per cubic yard | 54.0 |
How far does a cubic yard of pea gravel go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for pea gravel is 2 to 3 inches, and 3 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
Pea Gravel needed for common areas at 3 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons | 0.5 cubic foot bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.23 | 0.32 | 13 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.74 | 1.04 | 40 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 0.93 | 1.30 | 50 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 1.85 | 2.59 | 100 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 1.33 | 1.87 | 72 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 2.78 | 3.89 | 150 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 3.70 | 5.19 | 200 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 5.56 | 7.78 | 300 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 11.11 | 15.56 | 600 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 23.15 | 32.41 | 1,250 |
Worked example: 20 by 4 feet at 3 inches
The area is 20 feet times 4 feet, or 80 square feet. A depth of 3 inches is 0.25 feet. Volume is 80 times 0.25, which is 20.00 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 0.74 cubic yards. At 2,800 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 1.04 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 0.81 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering pea gravel
- Edging keeps the rounded stones from drifting onto the lawn.
- It stays loose underfoot, so it suits paths more than driveways.
- Rake it level and top up the thin spots once a year.
Smooth stones shift under load, so pea gravel is not a good choice on steep slopes.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of pea gravel do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 20 by 4 foot area at 3 inches deep needs about 0.74 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 2,800 pounds, or 1.40 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should pea gravel be?
Most projects use 2 to 3 inches. 3 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of pea gravel cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How many bags of pea gravel make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of the 0.5 cubic foot size, which yields about 0.5 cubic feet each.