Choose your project and the calculator sets a typical depth for pea gravel. Then enter your area to get cubic yards, tons and bags.
Extra for settling and cost
Weights are typical for dry, loose material. Your supplier's figure may differ slightly.
What pea gravel is
Pea gravel is small, smooth, rounded stone, usually ¼ to ⅜ inch across, in mixed tan, brown and grey tones. Because the stones are round, they don’t lock together the way crushed stone does. That makes pea gravel comfortable to walk on and good at draining water, but it also means it shifts underfoot and spreads if it isn’t contained.
How deep should pea gravel be?
These are the depths the calculator uses when you pick a project. You can change the depth at any time.
| Project | Typical depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape bed | 2 in | Enough to hide the soil and fabric underneath |
| Garden path or walkway | 3 in | Deeper feels loose; shallower wears through |
| Dog run | 3 in | Easy to rinse and drains quickly |
| Patio or seating area | 4 in | A compacted base underneath makes it firmer |
For patios and paths that get a lot of use, many installers put down a few inches of compacted crushed stone first and spread pea gravel on top. The crushed stone calculator works out that base layer.
Worked example
A 10 ft × 20 ft patio, 4 inches deep:
- 10 × 20 = 200 square feet
- 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards
- 2.47 × 1.40 = 3.46 tons
With 10 percent extra for settling, you’d order about 2.72 cubic yards or 3.81 tons, or 147 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
How far does pea gravel go?
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 bag (0.5 cu ft) covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | about 116 sq ft | 3 sq ft |
| 3 in | about 77 sq ft | 2 sq ft |
| 4 in | about 58 sq ft | 1.5 sq ft |
These figures use a typical weight of 1.40 tons per cubic yard, with no extra for settling.
Pros and cons of pea gravel
Good points: it drains quickly, it’s comfortable underfoot, it doesn’t get muddy, and it’s one of the cheaper landscape stones.
Drawbacks: it moves around, so you’ll rake it back into place from time to time. It’s hard going for wheelchairs, strollers and bikes, and it washes away on slopes. Plastic gravel grids, laid under the stone, hold it in place and make the surface much firmer.
Tips for a lasting pea gravel area
- Fit solid edging (steel, stone or timber) so the gravel stays where you put it.
- Lay landscape fabric first to slow weeds and stop the stone sinking into the soil.
- Avoid placing pea gravel right next to a lawn you mow. Stones thrown by a mower can be dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
How much pea gravel do I need?
Multiply the length and width in feet, multiply by the depth in inches, and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Multiply by 1.40 to get tons. The calculator does this for you and adds 10 percent for settling.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. A 0.5 cubic foot bag covers about 2 square feet at 3 inches deep.
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?
About 77 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 116 square feet at 2 inches.
Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
It isn’t required, but it helps. Fabric slows weeds and keeps the stones from working their way into the soil, so you top up less often.
Is pea gravel good for a dog run?
Many owners like it because it drains fast, stays fairly cool and is easy to hose down. Some dogs like to dig in it, so a firm edge around the run helps.
Results are estimates for planning. Weights are typical for dry, loose material. See How We Calculate for the formulas and values we use.