Pea Gravel Calculator
Work out how much pea gravel you need for a path, patio or garden bed, in cubic yards, tons and bags. It starts with a 10 × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep.
1. Measure your area
2. Choose your gravel
Gravel density varies by material, moisture and supplier. Use your supplier's stated density when available. This calculator provides an estimate, not a supplier quote.
What is pea gravel?
Pea gravel is a loose material made of small, smooth, rounded stones, typically around 3/8 inch across and often in shades of tan, brown and grey. It is popular for garden paths, patios, dog runs, drainage areas and decorative beds because it is comfortable underfoot, easy to spread and available at most landscape suppliers.
How deep should pea gravel be?
For paths and patio areas, a depth of about 2 to 3 inches is common. A 1-inch layer may look thin and let the ground below show through, while more than about 4 inches makes walking tiring because the stones shift underfoot. Pea gravel is usually laid over compacted soil or a prepared base, often with landscape fabric underneath and edging around the border to keep the stones in place. Your supplier or contractor can advise on what suits your site.
Worked example: a 10 × 10 ft area at 2 inches
Area: 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft
Volume at 2 inches deep: 100 × (2 ÷ 12) = 16.67 cubic feet
Add 10% for waste: 16.67 × 1.10 = 18.33 cubic feet = 0.68 cubic yards
Weight at 105 lb per cubic foot: 18.33 × 105 = 1,925 lb = 0.96 tons, or about 39 bags at 50 lb each
How much area does pea gravel cover?
These figures use 105 lb per cubic foot and no waste allowance. Real coverage will be somewhat lower once you allow for uneven ground and edges.
| Depth | Sq ft per ton | Sq ft per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 229 | 324 |
| 2 inches | 114 | 162 |
| 3 inches | 76 | 108 |
| 4 inches | 57 | 81 |
How much does pea gravel weigh?
Loose pea gravel weighs roughly 100 to 110 lb per cubic foot, which works out to around 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard. This calculator uses 105 lb per cubic foot. Wet gravel weighs more than dry gravel, and different quarries can vary, so use your supplier's number if you have it, or choose Custom density in the calculator.
Buying pea gravel in bags
For small jobs, bagged pea gravel is easier to carry and store. A 50-lb bag holds about 0.48 cubic feet at this density, enough to cover roughly 2.9 square feet at 2 inches deep. Bag sizes vary by brand, so check the label for the weight or volume before you rely on the bag count. For anything larger than a small patch, bulk delivery by the ton or cubic yard is usually cheaper per unit.
Pea gravel or crushed stone?
Pea gravel is smooth and rounded, so it feels pleasant to walk on but tends to shift and scatter. Crushed stone has sharp edges that lock together, which makes it a firmer choice for driveways and other areas that carry vehicles. For vehicles, see our driveway gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of pea gravel do I need?
Divide the total weight by the bag weight. A 10 × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep with a 10% allowance comes to about 1,925 lb, or roughly 39 bags of 50 lb. The calculator above shows the bag count for your own dimensions.
How many square feet does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At about 2 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 114 square feet. At 3 inches it covers about 76 square feet. The coverage table above shows other depths.
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
Around 1.4 to 1.5 tons, or roughly 2,700 to 3,000 lb, depending on moisture and the supplier. Always check the figure your supplier uses, since some sell by weight and others by volume.
Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
Many people lay landscape fabric under pea gravel to reduce weeds and stop the stones sinking into soft soil, together with edging to hold the gravel in place. Whether it is necessary depends on your soil and the use of the area.
How much extra pea gravel should I order?
A 10% allowance is a good starting point for paths and patios. Use 15% or more if the ground is uneven or the shape is awkward, because a second small delivery is often more expensive than ordering a little extra.
More gravel calculators
Last updated 2026-10-06. Quantities are estimates; densities and coverage vary by material, moisture and supplier.