Pea Gravel Calculator
Enter your area and depth to get the tons, cubic yards, and bags of pea gravel you need — updates instantly as you type.
Assumes standard pea gravel density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Bulk suppliers usually sell by the ton or cubic yard — bags are typically for small top-ups.
How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need?
The calculator multiplies your area (length × width) by depth to get cubic feet, converts to cubic yards, then multiplies by pea gravel's average density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard to estimate weight.
tons = cubic yards × 1.4
bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size
Worked example: a 10 ft × 10 ft patio border at a 2-inch depth is 100 sq ft × 0.167 ft = 16.7 cubic feet, or about 0.62 cubic yards — roughly 0.86 tons. Always round up and buy 5–10% extra to cover uneven ground, compaction, and spillage during spreading.
What Is Pea Gravel Used For?
Pea gravel's small, rounded stones make it comfortable to walk on and easy to spread by hand, which is why it shows up in more project types than almost any other aggregate:
- Walkways and paths — a low-cost, permeable alternative to pavers or concrete.
- Patios and seating areas — often edged with pavers or steel edging to hold the line.
- Playgrounds — a soft, well-draining surface under swing sets and play structures.
- Garden beds and mulch alternative — suppresses weeds without breaking down like bark mulch.
- Drainage — pea gravel's rounded shape leaves small gaps between stones, so it's a common fill around French drains, downspout splash pads, and drain fields where water needs to pass through freely.
How Many Bags of Pea Gravel Do I Need?
Bagged pea gravel is usually sold in 0.5 cubic foot bags (around 50 lbs each). To convert, divide your total cubic feet by the bag size — the calculator above does this automatically and lets you switch bag sizes if your supplier sells 0.75 or 2 cubic foot bags instead.
Bags make sense for small top-ups and garden beds, but they cost more per cubic foot than a bulk delivery. Once your project needs more than a cubic yard or two, it's almost always cheaper to order loose by the ton — see the gravel cost calculator to compare.
Frequently asked questions
How much pea gravel do I need per square foot?
For a standard 2-inch depth, one square foot needs about 0.0062 cubic yards (roughly 17.3 lbs) of pea gravel. Multiply your area by your chosen depth, or just use the calculator above.
How many tons of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (about 2,800 lbs), though this varies slightly by moisture content and supplier.
What depth of pea gravel should I use?
Use 2 inches for decorative ground cover, 3 inches for walkways and patios, and 4 inches or more for driveways or light vehicle traffic. See our gravel depth guide for a full breakdown.
How much does pea gravel cost per ton?
Pea gravel typically costs $30–$65 per ton delivered, or $40–$85 per cubic yard, depending on region and quantity. Try the gravel cost calculator to estimate your total.
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs roughly 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons). A single cubic foot weighs about 105 lbs.
Is pea gravel good for drainage?
Yes — pea gravel's rounded stones leave small gaps that let water pass through easily, making it a common fill around French drains, downspouts, and drain fields. For heavier drainage beds, larger river rock is often preferred.