Pea Gravel Calculator
Work out how much pea gravel you need for patios, paths, and play areas — in cubic yards, tons, bags, and cost.
Quick Answer
To find how much pea gravel you need, multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 for tons. One ton covers about 120 sq ft at 2 inches deep; use 2–3 inches for paths and patios.
Pea Gravel at a Glance
Quick reference numbers to sense-check your result before you order.
Typical stone size (rounded, pea-sized)
Covered per ton at 2" deep
Recommended depth for paths & patios
Bulk price per ton (2026)
Pea gravel’s rounded shape doesn’t lock together, so it needs firm edging to stay put — it isn’t a load-bearing base on its own.
Pea Gravel Calculator Guide
The pea gravel calculator tells you exactly how much pea gravel to order for a patio, walkway, play area, or garden bed. Enter your length, width, and depth and it returns the volume in cubic yards, the weight in tons, an estimate of bags or truck loads, and — if you add a price — the total cost. That takes the guesswork out of a material that is easy to under-order once you account for the depth it settles to.
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone (roughly 3/8 inch, about the size of a pea) with smooth edges and natural tan, brown, and grey tones. Those rounded edges make it comfortable underfoot and great for informal paths and play areas, but they also mean it does not lock together like angular crushed stone. If you are weighing looks against stability, compare it with river rock or read our guide on crushed stone vs pea gravel.
How Much Pea Gravel Do You Need?
The math is volume × density. Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 tons per cubic yard to get weight. Depth is where most people go wrong: 2–3 inches is right for walkways and patios, while play areas and loose ground cover usually want 3–4 inches. A thin 1-inch layer looks good on day one but scatters and shows the ground beneath it quickly.
Pea gravel coverage by depth (1 ton ≈ 1.35 cubic yards):
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | ≈ 240 sq ft | ≈ 324 sq ft |
| 2" | ≈ 120 sq ft | ≈ 162 sq ft |
| 3" | ≈ 80 sq ft | ≈ 108 sq ft |
| 4" | ≈ 60 sq ft | ≈ 81 sq ft |
How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost?
In 2026, bulk pea gravel runs about $30–$55 per ton or $40–$80 per cubic yard from landscape supply yards. Bagged pea gravel (0.5 cubic foot bags) costs $4–$8 each, which works out to $240–$480 per ton — fine for a small touch-up but far more expensive by volume. Delivery typically adds $50–$150 depending on distance. For a full project total, pair this tool with the gravel cost per ton calculator.
Pea gravel buying options (2026 U.S. averages):
| Buying option | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk, by the ton | $30–$55 / ton | Large areas, driveways, big beds |
| Bulk, by the cubic yard | $40–$80 / yd³ | Medium patios and paths |
| Bagged (0.5 cu ft) | $4–$8 / bag | Small repairs and touch-ups |
One practical tip: pea gravel needs an edge to stay put. Install steel, aluminum, or paver edging and a base layer so it does not migrate into the lawn, and lay landscape fabric underneath to block weeds and keep the stone from sinking into soil. For the surrounding beds, the landscape stone calculator and gravel coverage calculator help you plan the rest of the yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much pea gravel do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 to get tons. A 10 ft × 10 ft patio at 3 inches deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards, or roughly 1.25 tons. The calculator does this for you and adds a waste allowance.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
A ton of pea gravel covers about 120 square feet at 2 inches deep, or roughly 80 square feet at 3 inches. Coverage drops as depth increases, so decide your depth first: 2–3 inches for paths and patios, 3–4 inches for play areas.
How deep should pea gravel be?
For walkways and patios, 2–3 inches over a compacted base is ideal. Play areas and loose ground cover usually want 3–4 inches. Going deeper than 4 inches makes the surface feel unstable to walk on because the rounded stone shifts underfoot.
How much does pea gravel cost in 2026?
Bulk pea gravel is about $30–$55 per ton or $40–$80 per cubic yard, plus $50–$150 for delivery. Bagged pea gravel costs $4–$8 per 0.5-cubic-foot bag, which is much pricier by volume and only worth it for small jobs.
Can you use pea gravel for a driveway?
It is not ideal on its own. Pea gravel's rounded shape does not compact or interlock, so it ruts and migrates under vehicle weight. If you want a pea gravel driveway, install a compacted crushed stone or DGA base first and add firm edging to hold the pea gravel in place.