Pea Gravel Calculator
Calculate the tons of pea gravel needed for paths, patios and play areas.
What you'll need to order
- pea gravel
- landscape fabric
- edging
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
tons = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) × 96 ÷ 2000
Pea gravel weighs about 96 lb per cubic foot — lighter than angular crushed stone because the rounded stones pack loosely. A cubic yard runs roughly 2,600 lb.
Switch the site to metric — the control is in the footer — and your inputs, your results and the tables below follow. The formula, the constants, the guidance text and the sources stay in US units on purpose: that is how the standards they come from are written, and restating them would detach each figure from the document you are meant to be able to check it against.
Where these numbers come from
- ASTM C29/C29M 2023 — the test method that defines bulk density for pea gravel; the figure used here is a typical published value, not a mandated one
Cited to a specific edition on purpose — table numbers and values move between cycles. Confirm against whichever edition is enforced locally.
Worked example
With length 10 ft, width 10 ft, depth 3 in, this calculator returns 1.2 tons.
Pea gravel coverage by depth
Figures below assume length 10 ft × width 10 ft. Every row here opens the calculator already filled in. Copy that link and the numbers travel with it.
| Depth | Pea gravel needed (tons) | Volume (cu yd) | 50 lb bags (if buying bagged) (bags) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.40 | 0.31 | 16.00 |
| 2 in | 0.80 | 0.62 | 32.00 |
| 3 in | 1.20 | 0.93 | 48.00 |
| 4 in | 1.60 | 1.23 | 64.00 |
| 6 in | 2.40 | 1.85 | 96.00 |
Per 100 square feet at 96 lb per cubic foot. Rounded stone stays loose — it never compacts the way angular gravel does.
How much pea gravel for a path, patio or playground?
Each row is a link that fills in the calculator above. Send one and the other end sees the same figures you do.
| Job | Size | Pea gravel needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 40 ft × 3 ft × 2 in | 0.96 tons | $34 – $77 |
| Fire pit surround | 12 ft × 12 ft × 3 in | 1.73 tons | $60 – $138 |
| Dog run | 20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in | 2.40 tons | $84 – $192 |
| Playground surfacing depth set by fall height |
20 ft × 20 ft × 9 in | 14.40 tons | $504 – $1,152 |
| Drainage around a foundation | 60 ft × 2 ft × 6 in | 2.88 tons | $101 – $230 |
Pea gravel migrates without a hard edge. Steel, stone or timber edging is not optional on anything bordering a lawn or path.
Cost range uses $35–$80 per ton for material only.
What does pea gravel cost?
Material typically runs $35 to $80 per ton. Bulk, delivered. Bagged pea gravel from a garden centre works out around three times the bulk price.
What moves the price:
- Colour and consistency, which is what separates budget from decorative grades
- Washed versus unwashed
- Haul distance from the pit
- Bagged versus bulk
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Depth by use
| Type | Depth (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative bed topping | 2.00 | Enough to hide fabric and suppress weeds |
| Garden path | 2.50 | Deeper feels unstable underfoot |
| Patio or seating area | 3.00 | Over a compacted base, not bare soil |
| Drainage trench | 6.00 | Around perforated pipe |
| Playground under 5 ft fall | 9.00 | Check your local safety standard |
Beyond about 3 inches pea gravel feels like walking on sand. For paths people use daily, angular crushed stone holds far better underfoot.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of pea gravel do I need?
Multiply area in square feet by depth in feet, then by 96, then divide by 2,000. A 20 by 4 ft path at 3 inches deep needs about 0.96 tons.
Is pea gravel cheaper than concrete?
Far cheaper upfront — roughly a fifth the installed cost of a concrete patio. It also needs topping up every few years and cannot take furniture legs or wheeled loads well.
What goes under pea gravel?
Geotextile fabric over a compacted base of crushed stone for anything bearing weight. Laid straight on soil, pea gravel sinks in within two seasons.
How deep should pea gravel be?
Two to three inches for walkways and patios over a compacted base. Driveways need 4 inches or more, and playground fall zones require 9 to 12 inches to meet impact-attenuation guidance.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 2,600 lb, or 1.3 tons. Rounded pea gravel packs looser than angular crushed stone, so it weighs slightly less per cubic yard than a comparable volume of #57 stone.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At 2 inches deep, one ton covers about 125 square feet. At 3 inches, roughly 83 square feet. At 4 inches, around 62 square feet.
Does pea gravel need a base underneath?
For walkways over stable soil, landscape fabric alone is usually enough. For patios and anywhere vehicles go, put down 3 to 4 inches of compacted crushed stone first — pea gravel is rounded and will not compact on its own.
Is pea gravel good for a driveway?
It is a poor first choice. The rounded stones shift under tyres, migrate to the edges and rut. Angular crushed stone locks together and holds up far better. If you want the pea gravel look, use it as a thin top layer over a compacted crushed base.